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:

• 

  Cant wait to Drive it - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By breggers - May 2 - 7:34 pm

  I bought this 2012 model off lease at 17500 mi, and have had it for 1000 miles. So far I have used 6.3 gallons of gas total, that is no exaggeration. I am excited to get in this car and drive it every day. It drives like a dream, completely silent except for the top notch sound system on which I am playing XM jazz. In the Wisconsin spring, when no climate control is needed, I am getting 43 miles on a charge, which easily handles my 24 mile round trip commute. I take care of this thing like its a Maserati, I always have a microfiber in my hand. I always chuckle at all the Priuses I pass struggling to get 55 mpg, burning gas with every mile.

• 

  Best SUV I have ever had - 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mohanman - May 1 - 3:18 pm

  I have had Toyota 4Runner, BMW X5 (biggest piece of crap), Lexus GX 460, Cadillac SRX, and Nissan Armada. None of these beat the Tahoe that i recently got. The Tahoe is comfortable, quiet, and smooth. It looks awesome too. Im so happy with it. Highly recommended

• 

  BEST IVE EVER OWNED - 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Doris Patterson - April 30 - 10:11 pm

  Ive owned a Chevrolet Caprice Classic a Pontiac LeMans Sports Coupe a Pontiac Bonneville and a Mazda 626 and a 2009 Blazer. Knew for a long time what I wanted, but settled for a Blazer. 4x4. It was ok, but not what I had been wanting. Decided they werent getting any cheaperfinally locate the Tahoe. It was in another state Bose speakers burgundy 3 row seats. Bought it in January 2006. Drove 300 miles to get it. Never looked back. The mileage is 17.7. And I guess thats ok for as large a vehicle it is. I travel in my job every 3-4 months and Im never tired when I arrive. The Tahoe is everything I ever wanted. It looks like new. Ive had several people wanting to buy it.

• 

  V-6 Malibu 2009 - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Raymond G. Hansen - April 30 - 12:44 pm

  V-6 auto, all options except tire press. monitor. Amazing highway mileage,36MPG Imperial gallon @ 110kph. 24,000 km. NO mech. problems

• 

  Great small car - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By karl_swift - April 28 - 11:56 am

  I use this car on a daily basis, for both city and highway driving. I average about 35 MPH, and the cruze does not use a drop on oil, between 6,000 mile changes. Most of my driving is highway in excess of 70 MPH. The vehicle currently has over 40,000, and i have no complaints.

• 

  Great Truck - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Robert McClinton - April 24 - 7:52 pm

  Ive own Toyota, Ford and Honda trucks and this by far is best truck I have owned. It is quiet, smooth and has plenty of power. People are always stopping me and complimenting its looks. Gary Russ Chevrolet - Cadillac gave me an outstanding deal.

• 

  sporty fun car - 2014 Chevrolet Sonic
  By kathrynelam - April 17 - 6:17 pm

  Very well put together subcompact sedan. Great gas mileage, handles well- some say "jerky" I say responsive. Sporty fun to drive car.

• 

  absolutely perfect - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By gerrith - April 15 - 1:15 am

  I have never owned a better car. I fell in love with my impala the second I drove it. Their not joking when they say "torquey v6". Its definitely got power to it, with a nice little intake rumble as a bonus! I never had any major problems with it. Everyday wear and tear such as transmission fluid changes, brake rotors and pads, and one of my bulbs went out. I was always working on my previous cars whether it was a valve cover gasket, tie rods, struts, water pump, alternator, etc. This car needed nothing! I bought it at 224,000 miles, and drove it to 261,000 miles, and it never gave me a single issue. Every time I stuck the key in the ignition, it was ready to go! 10/10!!!!

• 

  updating my post from 2011/Fast......fast - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By James Dzendzel - April 14 - 5:52 pm

  Now the car has 90,000 miles on it, replaced the shocks with kyb adjustables.just put on some new uniroyals 245/r15s and the ls1 is still going strong. Great highway car

• 

  2013 Impala LT - 2013 Chevrolet Impala
  By bubbasmama - April 7 - 12:42 pm

  This is my 3rd Impala and I must say I love mine. It handles beautifully in all weather conditions and Ive never about it slipping and sliding underneath me in the snow. The MPG is about what it is rated give or take upon my driving as with any vehicle. The only thing I would change is the seating. The seating accommodates 5 comfortably, bucket seats in the front, but the comfort in the seats for long trips could be better, my 2005 was my comfortable in the backseat.