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:

• 

  FAR BEYOND EXPECTATIONS - 2017 Chevrolet Impala
  By Pops Cleaves - July 8 - 10:39 pm

  The Impala Premier V6 is an exceptional full-size sedan. Comfort and roominess (front and rear seating plus trunk) far exceeds mid-size sedan competitors -- Accord, Camry, Fusion, Altima, Sonata, Malibu, etc. Styling, exterior and interior, is sharp. All performance factors are tops -- acceleration, braking, handling, ride, and quietness. And fuel mileage exceeds factory figures. My wife and I average 31 MPG at 75 MPG on the interstates on long trips (rated at 29). The instrument panel is easy to read and the controls including techie ones are easy to learn. With only 6,000 miles it has not visited the Chevy Service Dept. One single drawback: its easier to get in and out of our Cadillac SRX crossover. TOTAL SCORE: The Chevy Impala is an exceptional vehicle and with tremendous value.

• 

  This is one great car and great price - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jim moline - July 8 - 4:00 pm

  We have had minivans, Envoys and trucks so it was time to get a car as the family is leaving the nest. We almost purchased a CTS but then saw the Malibu drove it and then ordered one. Ours is black with black and brick interior and everyone that rides in the car loves it. It is fun just to get into it and drive. The mileage is almost 24 combined city and highway. If you are thinking of any mid sized car you better give this a look because I dont think there is a better car for the money.

• 

  We loe it - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rhpetersen - July 8 - 11:26 am

  After owning a 97 Blazer LT for 84000 miles, the logical step was to a TrailBlazer LT for our next vehicle. With virtually no change in sticker price in the 5 years between the vehicle purchases, the value of the TrailBlazer is obvious. Bigger vehicle, more power, great build quality, etc. . .

• 

  A Fun Ride - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Kristina - July 8 - 4:36 am

  The Aveo my first brand new car! I bought it 1/2/05 in Tampa Florida and proceeded to drive it to Detroit Michigan, 1306 miles! It drove well on the freeway holding its own with the big rigs and taking the mountains very well for a 4 cylinder. Gas mileage on the highway was good about 30 MPG and city isnt too great 20-21 MPG, but it is winter here! My coworkers and friends love it. It has lots of interior room for such a compact car. I have been asked by strangers what it is and where I got it more than a few times, so I think it will be around a while. I traded in a Ford Aspire to get this car, so anyone used to small car driving should love it with the huge interior and user friendly dash. I really like this car! I think I overpaid by about $2,000 but I REALLY wanted it! So I got it and I do like it a lot, my first Chevy and I am thus far impressed!

• 

  smooth ride? - 1991 Chevrolet Caprice
  By big brad - July 8 - 2:00 am

  This has really been the best car i have ever owned.For the first 6 months i had absolutly no problems w/ it. But then stuff started to wear. I had the hole front steering done, then the intake manifold gasket,followed buy shocks and then the timing chain and valve cover gaskets..But since i did all the work myself instead of spending over $1250 i spent just under $350

• 

  Whole Family Loves This Truck - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By JIMS1024 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely love this truck. Our model has all the options, leather heated seats, power everything. XM radio / Bose system. We could not be happier with our TrailBlazer EXT. Bought it used with 36k on it. Unbelieveable how much room - even in third row.

• 

  Black S-10 Crew Cab 4WD - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By flynhi - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Got the 3.73 gears, and the trucks performs great. Has great pickup from highway speeds, and is nice off the line. The 4x4 engages nicely and works well. Very comfortable inside.

• 

  EXCELLENT CAR, GREAT PERFORMANCE - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Loogie - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I love my 96 Z28, no problems at all. Extremely fun to drive, very fast!! Mustangs dont stand a chance. Great performance for the price. Comfortable interior/leather bucket seats.

• 

  best bang for the buck!!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By joseph ciaccio - July 8 - 2:00 am

  good pick up a firm ride

• 

  So-So - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By William - July 8 - 1:46 am

  Gas mileage is only 18-20 miles per gallon. The electric steering is terrible. Its like driving a bus when you go to turn. Turning radius much too wide. Fixed mast antenna is cheap plastic. Do not take the car thru an automatic car wash with the antenna on, regardless of what the owners manual says. Needs a larger engine. Rear headrests are too large and block your vision. They should be half the size they are. Window controls on console take some getting used to.