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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  2003 express van comments - 2003 Chevrolet Express
  By PCMS - October 21 - 2:00 am

  THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE IS THAT THERE ARE NO AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS AVAILABLE, NO BUG SHIELD, NO HOOD BRAS ETC. BODY IS CONSTRUCTED OF THINNER METAL THAN WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER NORMAL. I COMPARED IT TO MY DODGE VAN. THE WAY THE PLASTIC INTERIOR WALLS INTERLOCK IS A DISGRACE, ESPECIALLY AT THE PRICE I PAID. SOME PLASTIC JUST LAYS IN PLACE, NO INTERLOCKING MECHANISM. THE TOUTED OIL CHANGE LIGHT IS USELESS TO ME, IT GOES OFF AT 7000 MILES, I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3000. THE STEP UP, IF YOU ARE A SHORT PERSON, IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT HOLDING ON TO THE SEAT AND PULLING YOURSELF IN.

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  Stop bitching about mpg - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By tom1967 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  The car is beyond anything I ever drove in that price range. The mpg is pretty damm good remember there are 405 ponies what do you think they drink air? Please stop complaining about mpg that’s like saying I want the light very bright in the room but I dont want a high electric bill. P.S. Pay for the gas or go drive a Yugo.

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  V6 Equinox 2011 - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By oscar007 - October 20 - 11:23 pm

  We have owned our Nox for 2 weeks. We drove most of our 3700 on a 3300 mile road trip. 2 adults and 3 children with luggage. We drive speed limits for the most part and got 20 to 23 mpg averaging 21.8 overall. The cars computer rated it at 21.8 and so did our manual entry.miles on

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  Buy American! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bossnj1 - October 20 - 2:00 pm

  Many of us have been waiting for an American car that is built with quality craftsmanship, superior performance, and smart styling. Be assured that the day has arrived- the Malibu is the real deal. I traded my 01 VW "New" Passat, and while I loved that car, it became very expenisve to maintain and was less than reliable. This car handles very similar (may even be better), has 60 more horsepower, and has similar quality feel and smart styling- all for +$2,000 less than I paid for my VW 7 years ago!! This car has lively acceleration, is very comfortable and quiet, and handles extremely well. Couple that with very smart, modern styling, an afordable price and you have a mid-size leader!

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  Concern Customer - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By darnellf5@gmail.com - October 20 - 10:44 am

  Purchase 2014 Cruz Diesel in 2014. Five months after purchase the check engine light came on, I thought this was odd. Well, I have had my car service 10 times. Spoke with GM about the problem but have not received support. Please reconsider before you buy.Maybe all the Chevy Cruz Diesels are not alike but I ended up with a bad one. I have had a Chevrolet car before with no issues.

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  Fun to drive but some disappointments - 2016 Chevrolet Spark
  By coopdedoo - October 20 - 7:51 am

  Car has an agile feel and is fun to drive. Notable hesitation on acceleration however so no darting across an intersection. The size is perfect for me. Am not getting even close to the MPG on the sticker despite light foot. More like 27 city, 30 highway which is my biggest disappointment. Apple Carplay is not consistent--disconnects on a whim. Dealer has suggested putting in a new USB port--just have to be able to leave the car there for a day. The gas pump nozzle at Costco will not stay in the gas tank so I have to stand and pump, breathing in the fumes. My lower back hurt the first time I spent more than 10 minutes driving (granted Im not a youngster). Bought a back support which has helped. One last tiny complaint--the windshield wipers leave a spot "un-wiped" near the bottom where they dont overlap completely. That I can live with... :-) Burnt marshmallow color hides dust very well.

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  Im dissapointed ! - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ray Parker - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive always had problems with the side seat handles that allow the seat to be reclined. They have been replaced three times and still dont work. The passenger compartment is much too small. The cheap plastic that GM uses for the interior is awful. The transmission was overhauled at 40000 miles. But I had to complain for two years that it was continually slipping before they fixed it under the extended warranty. It worked fine for about a year but started slipping again. I took the S-10 in before the extended warranty had expired and had it checked. They did nothing. Now that my warranty has expired, they want $2000 to repair it. Brakes are weak.

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  S-10 is an excellent choice for students - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jonathon Simmons - October 20 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Xtreme S-10 truck for 1about 1 1/2 years now and I have not had any mechanical problems other than normal wear. This truck has been very reliable to me while I was in school and driving a lot of miles. I would not recommend the regular cab truck to someone who is any taller than 6 feet unless you dont mind being a little crammed. This truck is an excellent decision for a student who wants a truck that is reliable, fun to drive, looks awesome, and is relatively inexpensive.

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  Not bad for a cheapo! - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ford8n1 - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Bought it with some problems namely a rebuilt title but lady bought it from drove it for about 30K and 2 years so thought not bad plus bought it "cheap!" For a plain jane car it does have a smell of what I call reliability and a proven nameplate. Hey after all what is "transportation" all about?

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  corvette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By dodgerfan1 - October 20 - 2:00 am

  it was awesome,crazy,groin grabbinly good, ca