Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  DONT DO IT!!!! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By jones1124 - May 19 - 1:03 am

  This was the worst car I have ever owned. After 68k my serpentine went, the gas mileage was awful, the all-wheel drive in the snow was garbage,and I went through six headlights. Now, my car was paid free and clear after approx 2 1/2 yrs of ownership, but I still traded in for an 09 Honda Civic,and I could not be happier so far!! Bottom line is stay away from this vehicle. The Equinox, and my previous Chevy, have made me swear off American originated cars period

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  Best Value - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By alanseymour - May 17 - 12:48 pm

  The car is reliable. I have had no problems for over 116,000 miles so far. I do however change my oil on regular (specified) intervals. It has for a 2.2 Liter engine, good acceleration and it can drive smooth at 100 mph. I get ~ 29 miles per gallon with regular 87 octane gasoline - not bad. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a reliable, efficient commuter vehicle.

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  Antifreeze smell and taste - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By shadowhawk1 - May 16 - 1:02 pm

  I loved the test drive! After 14k miles I still love the way it handles. Shifting is so, so. but passable. MAIN Problem - Car reaches full operating temp, if you I use defrost setting Antifreeze smell gets pumped in through the vents. I have to drive with the windows down. I get sick to my stomach and Dizzy & after 1 hour commute I can taste antifreeze in my mouth.. The dealer has seen the car 4 times and had it out of service for 35 days. GM is aware of the issue...says there is no fix. fyi- ingesting antifreeze causes Kidney failure, birthdefects, blindness and centreal nerveous system damage. car is not safe to drive right now.

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  blinding reflections - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By suvgirll - May 11 - 3:26 pm

  I dont know if Im just sensitive to light, but when the sunlight hits the interior silvery trim on everthing I cant see. I literally have to hold my right hand up to cover parts of the car to keep the reflection from blinding me. While Im driving it is becoming quite annoying. Ive had the car for 3 months now and dont know what to do about it. Any suggestions out there?

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  excellent car for the price - 2010 Chevrolet Impala
  By mmm18 - May 11 - 12:55 pm

  I bought this used in 2010, with roughly 20000 miles on it. So far I have been very happy with the car. I did 80000 miles only one minor issue with the gas pedal at 60000, but nothing else I drove through snowstorms, rain, etc and I felt very comfortable in this Impala. Highly recommend it! Giving what I paid for it, I consider it the best car I have ever owned.

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  Review from a car enthusiast - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By quattro - May 8 - 11:25 pm

  I like cars that handle well, beautifully design and well put together.Been driving my volt for 3wks and Im glad to say the volt is all that.Never had GM b4 bc of the quality of cars I have seen.Volt is nothing like that.A technological marvel and very polished from its display, drivetrain, design, handling to how its put together.Doesnt feel like a first gen product at all.GM should be real proud. I have a gen 2 Prius, BMW x5 diesel. prius is light as paper,noisy,drives like a cheap economy car. Diesel rattles and its noisy.Volt rides like a luxury car and feels safe,substantial and quiet U get the most if your commute is ~ the ev range Got 41 miles on e Try it out u will be converted

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  Known transmission issues! - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By skavfive - May 8 - 8:45 pm

  Car rides well and looks nice, but the transmission has known issues--slow and delayed shifts, and in manual mode downshifts into first are very harsh at times. These issues were confirmed and documented by the dealership: “transmission downshifts hard in manual mode….confirmed that three like vehicle do the same harsh downshifting. Call GM TAN, case #…., GM is aware for the condition and trying to correct…called GM TAN …GM is working on a change to correct this condition.” Chevy was aware of the problem redid the software package on the LT model for 2012, but no change was implemented in time for the 2012 LS Cruze. No other automatic I have ever driven has performed as poorly.

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  Dependable Truck - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By chevyman87 - May 8 - 12:12 am

  I drive the 1995 Chevrolet s10 extended cab LS 4.3 Vortec. I have no problems with it what so ever. It runs awesome, handles awesome and performs at 5 stars. I maintain the oil changes around 4000 miles, I added a spectre cold air intake, with a flowmaster super 44 muffler, straight pipe exhaust sounds good, quick, gas mileage isnt good but who cares its fun. The truck has 60000 miles on it, black and white exterior, tan interior. Engine is clean, no cracks on the interior. Minor rust but it was an easy fix. Worth every dime I would recommend this truck to friends and family.

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  Amazing performance for a small car! - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By edtamber - May 7 - 2:08 pm

  My husband actually brought this car to my attention after my current vehicle had to put in the shop with no hope of repair. After going back and forth, I finally decided to give it a chance and test drove the vehicle for 2 days. I was amazed! I have one child and there was plenty of room for him in the back and they really made every little bit of space count in this car!! Needless to say I was sold and we ended up buying it on the day I was to return it!!

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  2013 Malibu Eco - 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
  By daniel521 - May 6 - 9:37 am

  This is a Great car. I have 2000 miles on the car and am averaging 30 MPG. I drive some freeway but mostly city/suburb. As long as you don’t speed or drive aggressively you will get at or above EPA estimated fuel mileage. Also, the fit and finish and ride quality is very good.