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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  Dashboard screen on 2017 Equinox - 2017 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kent carothers - August 12 - 9:25 am

  Radio sometimes doesnt work , cannot turn on or off, along with the temperature fan numbers disappearing, and the hands-free phone not working (all at the same time). Back-up camera sometimes stays on when in drive. Its real interesting watching cars behind you when driving. Problem corrects itself when hitting a bump in the road, turning on and off the engine or just normal driving. First time it happen there was just red lines for the back-up camera and red blocks were the temperature fan numbers would be. Taken to chev service dept, but they say cant find problem, and of course by the time I get it in for service the problem as corrected itself. Added note this is a 3.6L 6cyl not a 2.4 4cyl. Im documenting every time the problems occur for the next month. Got out of service (after 4 hours) for them to tell me they cant find the problem. I have documented the problem 6 times since leaving the chev service dept yesterday. [contact info removed]

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  Our little pill car - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Happy Pancake - August 10 - 11:17 am

  We called this car our little pill. It was white, and shaped just like a gel tab of Tylenol. :) For using this car as a primary means of communication to and from work, I give this car a 10! For having enough room to fit 2 carseats, a stroller, and a passenger, thats it! Forget groceries or driving the mother-in-law somewhere.

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  gas guzzler - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By larry - August 9 - 5:08 pm

  Vehicles is easy and fun to drive. Easy to park and get in and out of. I only wish I had listened to some other reviews on the bad gas mileage. I was expecting to get at least 15 miles a gallon since it is rated to get 17 in the city. But I am so dissapointed I that I get 12-13 mpg in the city. I see others say that they get great gas mileage, and others say they are getting very bad mileage like me. So maybe I got stuck with one of the bad ones: (

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  good car - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By bernz1 - August 8 - 10:39 pm

  I no longer own this car, but I really have to write a good review. First car I ever financed. I owned the car for 7 years, put a ton of miles on it. Very reliable. Only problem I had was with the alternator. I owned a second generation cavalier previously and the same problem. I had the alternator replaced 3 times in a 2 month period, but after that was no problem. Unfortunately left me stranded each time, but a cheap fix and the only problem I ever had with the car. Very reliable otherwise. Good handling and fun to drive. I would recommend this car to anyone, if you get one still in good shape.

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  I Hate This Car - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Troubled Diva - August 8 - 5:02 pm

  For about the first year I had the car I had no problems with it. Now it seems like soon as you get something fixed, something else is going wrong with it. First thing on the car to go was the signal light chip, which cost $100.00 at the dealer to replace. Then the brakes went out. Changed the brake pads, and a month later they needed replaced to the the brake caliper going out, then had to smooth out the roaders. Then a few months later the cadillac converter went. Had to change tran fluid at 100,000. Spark plugs at 111,000. Currently the check engine light is back on. Also speakers blew out, and cd player spits out cds. Next car I get will for sure be a Ford product, no more GM for me!!!!

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  I like it - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By blondbeard - August 8 - 3:40 pm

  We bought this car for my wife and for trips. It rides comfortable getting good gas mileage on highway over 30 mpg and seems to do well in town. I liked my oldsmobile better but had more power and less gas mileage. I like that we got column shift and did not have to waste space for area between seats. Has good passing power, comfortable for long ride. I would have liked key lock on trunk, but know it is more secure this way. My wife is happy with it traded in Buick Ranier, if she is happy I am happy. Love the trunk space!

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  Great Value - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Third Geek - August 7 - 12:03 pm

  Duramax w/Ali Tranny - very good value. Sticker 44.8k - Paid 35.3k. Very nice ride - itty bitty tires though (16"?) that Im gonna replace. Fuel economy on new diesels flat out stinks - no reason it should be that low. Love the interior - plenty of room. Well designed for towing and work.

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  Dollar for Dollar best value - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Jimbo - August 7 - 7:55 am

  Excellent fuel mpg. Fun to drive LT with wheels,sunroof and spoiler is the way to go.. Get the ABS brakes.. Style and performance. Get the sedan not the hatch.. Sedan more room.

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  Not built in America - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By jimmy - August 7 - 3:26 am

  Why wasn’t this car made in America it is an American car? My wife hit a curb with the car and knocked off molding, cost over 800 dollars to replace a small piece of molding. The car had 650 miles on it, but I do like the car. It rides good and is fun to drive. I am 62 and bought my first Impala in 1963. I have always been a Chevy man. I have bought 2 GMC Jimmys and a Chevy truck. I hope General Motors makes a comeback and knocks the socks off the foreign cars

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  Not to bad - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Doug - August 6 - 3:13 pm

  For as cheap as these trucks are they arent that bad. Third door handle broke but i found a metal replacement online for 35 bucks. Never had any major problems besides tierods and wheel bearings. $ cylinder is a bit sluggish but havent had any problems. Definitely a cheap build though. Bought it for $4500 when it was 7 years old. Has been rusting out though due to Michigan weather, cab corner, third door, and rear wheel wheels. Both seat levers did break off but found replacements at autozon for like 30 each.