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:

• 

  First Chevy and Whole Family is Impressed - 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Pat Earley - March 17 - 5:46 am

  Short version: My Wife, Kids and I agree, The 2018 Traverse s a very very nice car and we like Cajun Red. Long version: After looking for three years to replace a 2004 Explorer we landed on a 2018 Chevy Traverse. I first considered the new Traverse after a friend stated he that might be his next vehicle (he owns an old Traverse he swears by) because he heard it can fit a sheet of plywood in the back. While the interior of our new Traverse is too nice to think of shoving a jagged piece of plywood anywhere in it, the possibility of getting a vehicle with more room than less was appealing to me. With 2 kids and 2 dogs and weekend trips to the lake, where everything needs to be hauled, I shopped for optimum cargo space first. Then I noticed how nice they looked inside and out and there were more and more reasons to want the Traverse. The Traverse has great room in both front seats and the middle two captain chairs for the 62, 260 lbs person that I am. The drivers seat adjustments are fine and the seat is real comfortable. The ergonomics of the steering wheel tilt and telescopic adjustment and the steering wheel controls are fine. My only complaint is that I naturally want to put my left elbow at a position that neither the window ledge or armrest are comfortable. A small pillow for longer trips will solve that easily, however, the window sill as my standard choice and is a bit high and has no padding. Ill get used to that. I am so comfortable otherwise, it doesnt matter. The kids love the rear captain seats which do recline. They claim the third seat is nice too but, they may only be reporting about the drink holders and the USB ports everywhere. My short ride in the middle seat impressed me. I thought I could easily choose to ride in them for a long trip instead of being at the top of the pecking order and choosing to be the driver. The "infotainment" system is awesome. While I wouldnt admit to making a $40,000 buying choice because of a radio, the technogeek in me secretly says ohh yaa. My only complaint is the menu on computer screen in the instrument cluster poorly highlights the item to be selected. To identify the item selected I have to guess or arrow up or down a couple times to see the weak highlight change from item to item. Not a big deal unless I start using it to select the music form my iphone library as I drive. That might be too awkward, if still real cool to be able to do. While the polished ebony looking trim and the nice looking touch screen are elegant and appealing to look at, I wonder how if they are going to get scratched up and not look so nice. The shiny black plastic especially. The hideaway cubby behind the touchsreen is likely to not be used much. Well see. It did not give me the wow it likely intended. The same is true for the rear camera in the rear view mirror. It works and looks nice when you are stopped and wanting to look behind. It is impossible to use while driving unless your take time to adjust your vision. It is not the same as looking in the mirror. Having said that, with a back end full of gear, the mirror will not be an option and Im sure I will appreciate the ability to view the trailer or close following cars. Our Traverse is equipped with blind side detection rear parking alarm and the birds eye camera view with front and rear cameras. We are continually groing in our understanding the benefit of all these features and have somewhat changed our spartan viewpoint to thinking these are not wow gimmicks like the rear view mirror camera might be. They will become our next cant own a car without items like cruise control and intermittent wipers once were (air conditioning and power windows were once those too for us who used to drive 60s cars and not cause they were classics) The heating and cooling controls are nice with tri-zone control. We are expecting the heated seats to be nice with winter coming. Ive tried them. Theyre hot. All are easy to control separately from from the infotainment system. On Star and the 4G WiFi works good along with Sirius XM. The kids dream of streaming movies without getting beat up about their data useage, Im sure. I dont know what to think about it. It seems expensive to continue. Will we be hooked? I am already liking starting the car from my office using the My Chevrolet app. Everyones got dozen ways to get their hook in pocket, I guess. Im not an engine and transmission geek so I can comment on feel only. The acceleration seems good, even peppy. The transmission is smooth up and down. I heard other reviews of jerky downshifting or a hunting behavior. I cant sense any shifting motion or noise. The cab is as quiet as I have experienced too. The stop light start/stop will take getting used to. Seems to work well. In conclusion, from one who bought 3 new Fords and run them into the ground, my review is the 2018 Traverse most excellent.

• 

  Our new SSR - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By Lewis Moore - March 17 - 2:00 am

  This truck runs exellent. It is fast on take off to be so heavy. Out on the highway it is like going 60 mph when your going 120 mph. It holds the road and drives like a dream, better than anything I have ever driven before. The ride is smooth and sure. Chevrolet has once again out done themselves.

• 

  Great family van - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By catam - March 17 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for 2.5 years and put almost 50 K miles on it. This has been the best family vehicle I have ever owned. It has been very reliable, with only a couple of minor problems. The gas mileage is superb I average 26 mpg on road trips, and 21-22 around town.

• 

  Big beauty - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Burbia - March 17 - 2:00 am

  First real truck Ive owned. No comparison to my Ford Windstar. Good power, very comfortable, and not bad on gas considering size of truck and engine. Rides smoother than a Lincoln. NICE RIDE

• 

  Landscape Executive Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By PlantMan - March 16 - 9:20 am

  I use my truck to take out customers to see job sites as well as haul large heavy loads and trailers of materials. It performs flawlessly.

• 

  First and last Sub for me - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mr steve - March 16 - 2:00 am

  On the positive side this SUV has good power and tows fairly well but upkeep is getting expensive. At 60k miles replaced rearend (started out as a roar from a wheel bearing), 75K miles Transmission rebuilt (broken planetary gears and bad bearings). While in the shop for the trans. Intake starts leaking coolant. These repairs along with three altenators before 76K miles makes me believe that Chevy has a problem. I will not buy another one, might lease one and turn it in before things go bad!

• 

  Cant Stop Smiling - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By drgb - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Okay, okay, I waited and waited for this car, and worried that it would never meet my expectations. The first wait was concept to production, then Chevys production problems, and lastly couldnt get a ship and build date--BUT- -now that its here, I CANT STOP SMILING!! The SSr is gorgeous. Sure, the trucks not a rocket, but on crowded roads,who needs speed, anyways? The truck cant tow, but this isnt a workhorse, its for stylin. And, with that throaty rumble when you step on the gas, its all about stylin. Think Ill buy another color...

• 

  Very inexpensive to own! - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By gwalker - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I cant began to say how reliable this car is. I just got my car back from the mechanic for a regular maintanence check-up and everything checks great. I purchased the car with 26,000 miles in 98 and, today, Im at 155,000 and still counting. The only thing replaced was the alternator and, of course, brakes. Ive been in 3 accidents. Rear ended twice w/ nothing but "stress marks" in the bumper paint. Hit on the side, knocked the rim lose off the axle. No damage to my car, the rim was tighten back on. Very durable! I cant say the same about the other cars that had to be towed! This car takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

• 

  Overall Report - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Tahoeman - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Excellent vehicle. Fuel mileage could be better. Excellent on long trips. Very comfortable and stylish. Seats should tilt fully back.

• 

  Sporty appearance - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By jkonkle - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Id rented these for years at National Car Rental. I finally broke down and bought a new car. I checked out the Dodge 300m, Infiniti G35. Nothing packed the punch, size and features as the impala for the money.