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:

• 

  07Chevy - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jjdoodah - January 22 - 1:23 am

  Pros: acceleration, brakes, heat/air;radio, seats, turn circle,fun to drive. Cons: ride; very poor seal around doors..way too much noise, mileage (15- 16), too light on rear..spins wheels & looses traction too easy, no trip odometer, a/c switches; overall poor fit in areas of body & interior.

• 

  Good car, cheap ride - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Pastor Kim - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Ive beat my 1998 Prizm to death, with a lot of stop and go city driving, and have not taken care of it very well---- I manage to change the oil about every 5,000 miles, and once in a while I run it through a car wash----thats about it. I have had no major problems with the car. I plan to drive it till it dies. With an end of the year rebate and a GM card accumulation of dollars, I paid $10,000 for this basic car----5 speed, AC, AM/FM, RWD, and thats about it for "frills". Still, it gets me where Im going. I probably would buy another one.

• 

  A fun year around ride in style. - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ob1 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  What more can be said other than it is a great car to drive on a daily basis. Very reliable with no repairs so far. Not bad for a car with almost 70,000 miles on it. Believe it or not but it is very capable even in snow. I drive it year around in sub-zero temperature and nasty weather. A pair of snow or all season tires help a lot. Try a set of Michelin tires (ZP) and you will get good traction year around and up to 50,000 miles on a set of front tires. Only one detractor,with the 6 spd. you will have to put a quart of oil in it every 1500- 2000 miles. Be sure to get one with the active handling, it may save your life. I am looking forward to getting the C6.

• 

  ex 1990 capice police car - 1990 Chevrolet Caprice
  By young man - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1990 caprice ex cop car that my dad bought for me on my 16th birthday (last year)with 250,000 miles on it and it runs great. This fall i beat a mustang 5.0 by about 6 car lenghts. since then i have driven a couple front wheel drive cars only to find that i belong in a caprice.

• 

  I love this car!!! - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By tracyjog - January 21 - 2:00 am

  In the 3 years thatmI have had my Prizm I have had to do nothing more than regular maintaince (You cant say that about many cars!!). That combined with the great gas mileage has saved me a bundle. While the car is a little on the small side it is great for a single person. It is big enough to haul people around when needed and the storage room is great.

• 

  junkytrans - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bill Ray - January 20 - 11:18 am

  I bought a new 2015 Chevrolet crew cab 4x4 ltz with 8 miles on it.From day one it has had transmission shutter at 2nd and 3rd gear,bad vibration in whole truck. Salesman said the tires had flat spots and would correct itself. At 1823 miles I couldnt take it all any more. I took it to the dealer and they put in a new torque converter. Did not fix the shift, slipping, vibration problems. At 2023 miles I took it back .Service manager agrees it has problems but doesnt know what is causing it or how to fix it..He said they could change drive shaft, axles,etc and see if it would fix problems.. But, I dont want a parts changer I want a mechanic who can fix the problem.I have always bought Chevrolet trucks and never have I had a problem like this. I am very disappointed with this 45,000.00 piece of tin.

• 

  Crappy quality, stay away - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By zezaaa - January 20 - 10:00 am

  At the test drive I explain to the dealer that there is strange noise, the answer--this is a different car, engine sounds different. At 400 miles has several problems--including severe one: needs major transmission work! Dealership gives me headaches with repair--they would give me a rental car, but only for the first three days, and repairs will take longer. Not to "waste" my three days over the weekend, they let me take back my car but I "should drive the car as little as possible not to cause more damage"! GM customer service explained to me how I can ask coworkers/friends to drive me around or get a taxi!!! This is my fourth GM car in a row and this was my last GM one, end of story!

• 

  excellent - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Loni - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I have bought Monte Carlos before and loved them. I had to buy Grand Am next time because of price. I would never buy anything but a Monte Carlo again. I have bought two more since. The best car all way around. You get an excellent car for the dollar. I give the Monte Carlo an excellent rating for comfort, looks,performance, quality of driving. I live in upstate New York and the car is excellent in winter driving handles great. And all around an A no other car will ever touch the Monte Carlo in my book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 

  First c-6 in the state of OK. - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By burnngas - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I have had his car only a month. They just rolled off truck and I had already bought it. I have owned 13 Corvettes and this is by far the Best. I also have a cadillac Escalade which is nice but my Vette is the ultimate driving machine; Thanks.....Garry L. Davis

• 

  MY FIRST CHEVY - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By groundeffx - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I AM 6"6 AND I CAN DRIVE VERY COMFORTABLY WITH A 6YR OLD AND 2 BABY CAR SEATS IN THE REAR(3 KIDS). I WOULD NEVER BELIEVE THAT I COULD FIT THEM IN THE REAR AND BE ABLE TO DRIVE ON A 10 HOUR VACATION RIDE AND NOT FEEL CRAMPED AT MY SIZE ALOT OF ROOM .