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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  2004 chevy aveo automatic - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By brenneman00 - November 9 - 11:42 pm

  I bought a 2004 chevy aveo. around 56,000 miles, the timing belt broke once. so i got a good deal on a wrecked aveo motor and i replace the whole motor $800 including motor and labor. Around 17,000 miles more, the water pump dropped, breaking the timing belt once again. then i paid $1000 and had to have the whole motor rebuilt. and there is still a bunch of problems. i do not recommand this car at all. its been nothing but problems.

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  What a Pleasant Surprise - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By surprisedbygm - November 9 - 10:40 pm

  First American car we have purchased in 15 years. We were attracted to the mileage, the look, the solid handling, the interior and the electronics. On a 50 mile daily commute driving under 45 mph, my wife averages 31 mpg. On a 5 hour freeway round trip we got 41 mpg while spending 45 minutes stop and go (based on actual gas used). Cruze has the smoothest power steering Ive ever driven. Having driven Toyota, Honda and Mazda for years, I scoffed at the idea of visiting a GM dealership. We were really surprised at the quality. Ford Focus was our second choice. What a pleasure buying from an "old fashioned" American car dealer.

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  Reliable - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By watchman3 - November 9 - 5:09 pm

  I have owned my truck since new and have put over 100K miles on her, now and have never experienced a single issue. I do regular maintenance and she is the most dependable vehicle Ive ever owned.

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  Amazing car - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By ghendrick456 - November 9 - 9:58 am

  This car has continued to amaze me since the day I drove it off the lot. The build quality and solid ride is more like a Lexus or a BMW than a Chevrolet. The drivetrain is a remarkable achievement. In electric mode the car is practically silent. I have been driving the car for over 2,000 miles now and my average MPG is about 144. While some people might gawk at the sticker price... They would be wrong. The high residual value, $7,500 tax break combined with the extremely low lease interest rates result in monthly payments that are lower than my previous Toyota Camry. This car finances at very affordable prices considering the high quality & features. You will also save $7500 on fuel

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  falling apart shortly after I bought it and continue to - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jazzy1998 - November 7 - 10:08 pm

  I bought 2005 Chevy Cavalier sedan in fall 2005. Problems started with the drivers seat handle breaking off then the seat would flop back while driving. Chevys customer service suggested replacing the whole seat. The catalic converter died (was under warranty) an ion sensor went bad. The seats are uncomfortable you can feel anyones foot movement near the seat .The dash rattles. The glove compartment handle broke, drivers visor flops, had to replace drivers power window motor and switch this year. Now it wont start not sure whats wrong now. All this on a 5 year old car. Piece of junk.

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  Perfect family and work SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By maysan - November 6 - 9:48 pm

  Just purchased my 2003 Tahoe 4x4 Police Package 4.8 V8, only 60K. 285/77/R16s. Border Patrol ordered it with a 4inch suspension lift. Perfect clearence. The 4.8 engine is great. I added small upgrades: K&N intake system, Computer chip to regulate air-flow and temp and finally a DiabloSport Computer programer. All about $500. The engine is a beast now. It also has the cooling system for both the engine and tranny fluids. I recommend the updgrades to all Tahoe lovers. All upgrades from Ebay. [non-permissible content removed]. Upgrades gave it lots of power, and great gas mileage. 26HWY & 20 city. Perfect all around.

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  Love it - LOVE IT - but wait, the check engine light just came on... - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By t4r4me - November 6 - 7:10 pm

  At 7800 miles I was driving to pick up a Pizza tonight thinking I should write a review on how much I love this Equinox. But on the ride home the check engine light came on and it stalled! I really do love this SUV. The styling and materials are top notch for the price. I love the handling and it is clear there are European underpinnings being used. It is very surefooted. I like the transmission and it makes good use of the 4 cylinder.

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  Back to Chevy - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By dabatan - November 6 - 2:27 pm

  I drove gm must of my life and still own 3 @ this time. Just added #4 after have a mazda 3 for the past 3 years. I bought the Mazda because had no car in the line up that I liked. They were boring. Till now! The Cruze is a really nice size car and alot bigger than you think. Just park it nexto other cars in it class or even bigger and it looks great. I only have my 2012 for less than a month but like it....love it more everyday. The gas mileage has been great, I go about 2 weeks on a tank. I used to go 9-10 days with the mazda. Thought I was gonna miss my mazda....I dont! and I am very happy to go back to GM and drive my new cruze............I am going cruzing.....see ya

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  Do not like my new Traverse - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By ldewar - November 5 - 1:07 pm

  I have had 3 GM mini vans before this vehicle and loved each of them. I wanted to buy another mini van, but GM stopped makeing them. I reluctantly bought this vehicle as it has only a few inches shorter wheelbase. I do not like the look of the exterior, the console takes up a lot of space--no longer can the passenger get up and move to the back while traveling. I find the seat design very uncomfortable and my back is in pain constantly and it rides a lot rougher than my mini vans did. The interior is smaller, etc. I do not like the large wheels and I get lousy gas mileage (19 mpg Hwy). My mini vans would get up to 26 mpg. Wish I hadnt bought it! It is peppy on the highway.

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  Avoid GM Trash Talk - 2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By silencedogoode - November 5 - 11:49 am

  This Trailblazer was the worst road commode I have ever owned. The quality at GM sucks. At 5k mi the trans. slipped. At 8k mi the heater core plugged, and 10k,,,heater core again. Dexcool was eating the seals. At 13k mi, the engine suddenly locked up, after a tow, the dealer told me the eng. was blown. GM at first would not honor the warranty,,,no surprise with Obama at the helm. Squeaks, rattles, loose, and cheap plastic trim, everywhere you look, I was disgusted. I drove this mechanical [violative content deleted] to a Subaru dealer, and bought an 09 Outback LL Bean. Wow! What a difference.