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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  Best family vehicle - 2011 Chevrolet Suburban
  By surewood4u - June 4 - 4:05 pm

  Bought it used in may 2012 with 30,000 miles for $34,000 otd. Now has 98,000 from tons of road trips, running around town and heavy [8000#] towing. All that is needed is basic maintenance to make it last, which i do all myself with walmart brand synthetics. I did add a 30k transmission cooler and a engine oil cooler to help with the towing loads right after purchasing. Parts replaced: ac blower motor @95k rotor & pads @90k battery @60k I plan on keeping this suburban for a very long time.

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  15,000 mile review - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By jaycro - June 2 - 6:59 am

  The Cruze diesel is amazing! Highway fuel mileage is over 50mpg if you drive at 70mph. Good acceleration,decent handling and ride qualities combined with nice leather interior are hard to beat in its class After 15.000 completely trouble free miles it has only been back to my dealer for free oil service and tire rotation

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  Second Chevy truck - 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bjk3 - May 24 - 7:04 am

  I had a 01 Chev swb ls with the 327 engine.. Probably in my opinion the best V8 engine in production, because it will go 300,000 plus if well takin care of, and parts for it can be found anywhere, and they dont break the bank like the imports. This 06 is even better, I bought from Car Maxt after the other one was totaled in a hail storm. So I have been driving the 327 for 13 years total. At the time of purchase had 93,000 miles. Never been in the shop after 3 years of ownership. Had two emission issues, that chev avalanche club helped me fix, Great multi purpose vehicle. gas mileage could be better, averages only 13 in town, but highway miles good as high as 19.

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  solid car - 2015 Chevrolet Cruze
  By chevyfan1982 - May 21 - 10:35 pm

  I traded my chevy spark for the cruze and was pleasantly surprised. it is the most solid, smooth, and quiet cars I have ever driven. The outside looks like a leveled down bmw but with more character, the inside feels way more upscale than any chevy I ever owned. I feel more confident as a driver because of the driving dynamics, handling, excellent acceleration and breaking. Im so glad I discovered the cruze.

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  Chevy Trax LS (AWD) - 2015 Chevrolet Trax
  By larrym8 - May 21 - 10:37 am

  Overall very good.

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  Its amazing! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By thebat_02avy - May 12 - 8:45 pm

  Ive owned my avalanche for a couple of years now, i bought it in 2013 with 145xxx miles on it and i havent had a single problem with it. its a blast to drive!

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  Great Vehicle - 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ugaix - May 11 - 10:29 am

  I have been driving my 2015 Tahoe LTZ for awhile now and I have to say I think it is a fantastic vehicle. In the past I have driven a 2011 Tahoe LTZ and think the current generation is an upgrade in every since. I agree with other reviewers that the ride with magnetic ride control is different than with the air shocks, but I like the ride not feeling as "floaty." The interior trim and finish is worlds better than it was. I know it is a much more expensive vehicle now but it feels like it too. So far I am extremely please with the car and believe that is probably the way the majority of those who actually own one feel.

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  Incredible!!!!! - 2015 Chevrolet Corvette
  By skull44x - May 4 - 1:09 pm

  From the moment you see this car you will be sold. Then you get in, turn the key and hear the engine roar...game over. This car blows away everything that I have ever driven. I had the C5, SS Camaro, Charger R/T and now my backup car is an Audi S5. None of these cars come close to the C7. Please note that I have a 2015 Z51 automatic. There was no selection for this car on the review form.

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  good sedan - 2015 Chevrolet Impala
  By 87gndriver - May 3 - 7:26 pm

  Overall, a good full size sedan. I am 65" and found that I have plenty of head room and am not in the least cramped and still have adjustment room left in the driver seat (normally, I run out of room for my legs, not so with the new Impala). You absolutely need the V6, as the 4 cylinder would be highly stressed in this size vehicle. The V6 has plenty of power and mileage is acceptable (I am getting 22 city/27 highway). Acceleration is excellent and the tranny shifts smoothly and efficiently it likes to keep your rpms under 2400. I like the "manual" mode, which I use in town. Large trunk, rear seats fold down flat, adding more trunk room. A good vehicle for tall people.

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  The best Car we have ever owned - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By lock11 - May 3 - 6:03 pm

  We just retired. The key to a successful retirement was to control our expenses. I decided to invest in some Green solutions. First we installed a Solar Array on our roof. Then I researched electric Cars. The only one that answered the question "What happens when I run out of Juice?" was the Volt. I paid 20, thousand for a 2012 with 20 thousand miles. It was loaded. I got a Tax credit of $7500. so net out the door was $12,500 not a bad price. WE charge it and it goes, no problems and it is the most dependable car ever. So far it has cost me an additional $O to operate.