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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  Not what I expected - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
  By Dan - October 4 - 4:00 pm

  A very strong tow vehicle and decent appearance.. but that is about it. The interior is very cheap with rattles since the first month of ownership. The blind spots are terrible. I average 11 MPG loaded or empty. As far as towing ability, no problem. As far as build quality... its not what you would expect for a 48K truck. My F-350 was far more roomy and comfortable. Also the base tires are too small for the truck. The tail gate is flimsy.

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  Great car poor dealership experience - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By Tom Spicer - October 4 - 11:36 am

  Love the car. Fun to drive. Zippy. Havent put any gas in it since I bought it 3 weeks ago. Doesnt stink up the garage like my wifes car when I start it. Usually recharges fully on 110 Volt circuit overnight. The bad. 2 weeks after getting the car the "service airbag" light came in. Took it to the Chevy dealership which was a super poor customer service experience and they told me that the passenger presence system had failed and to fix it would cost $775. No thank you. I will investigate other ways to fix it. The infotainment center is a nightmare and the stock sound system is pathetic. You can forget about finding or changing anything below the screen. Good luck trying to change the radio to usb too. For an almost $40 K new MSRP, they could have put some $12 speakers in instead of $2 ones. Perhaps the GM engineers should actually go out and listen to some music? Same thing for the seats. No lumbar support in a car of this value???? Come on. How long had GM made car seats? Have they learned anything??? No power drivers side seat adjustments either. Guess they skimped to save money. Too bad.

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  Caprice (Police Package) - 1991 Chevrolet Caprice
  By akomida - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Purchased as retired police car (132, 000 CITY miles.) 5.7L is flawless, fast, and VERY potent! Car rides like a dream! During east coast visit, hit up to 115 mph on I10 thru Arizona. Felt like I was going 50mph at most. The controls are made well and handle use w/o breaking.

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  Fun car... they just keep getting better - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By modelboy - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Mine hasnt had any problems that I didnt create. I had to replace the clutch since I taught someone how to drive on it. The engine has so much unlocked potential that you just cant get from any other car in this class. My certified mechanic brother that works on funny cars and top fuel dragsters loves to help me make it faster by doing this or that since he agrees that Chevy makes by far the best engines out of anyone. FYI I have been able to push out 250 hp out of the 2.2 engine naturally aspirated, so imagine what the 2.4-liter will do when we swap it out and supercharge it! Were going for 1000!

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  Love my car but.... - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By mpt - October 4 - 2:00 am

  This was my company car for 2 years before I bought it so it a few miles on it at purchase time. The ride is GREAT and it has been the absolute family choise on all family vacations because of the interior comfortableness and trunk room. However, word of caution, re:fuel components. The fuel pump has gone out at a cost of $900 and I have had to service the fuel injecters several times. The last being a replacement(another high cost). Shop said this is not unusual for this car ( especially in Oregon because of the high condesation that gets in the gas) and parts are expensive (probably because they are no longer being made).

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  YES! - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Bailey - October 4 - 2:00 am

  SO far... this is our dream vehicle! The best feature is the handling ability of the vehicle! In addition, the shift to 4 wheel drive on the fly already saved us on slick ground (rain)!

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  At last! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By GatorBoy - October 4 - 12:13 am

  After waiting over two months for my Nox, it finally arrived! I immediately took it on a 700 mile trip and it performed perfectly. Plenty of pep for a 4cyl. and very comfortable. The cabin noise was minimal so I was able to hear even the most subtle of notes from the XM music. One of the best interior and exterior designs around. Only one design problem noted and thats the inability to load my golf clubs horizontally.

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  Worst Purchase Ever Made - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Candyce - October 3 - 9:10 pm

  This is the worst decision I ever made. $18,000 down the drain. 3 days after I drove the Cobalt off of the lot, one of the fog lights went out. 2 weeks later, the other went out. The CD player often reads "ERR" and refuses to work, or says "NONE" when there is a CD in there, and wont eject the CD. A month after buying it, the front rims fell apart and my front grill is hanging half-way off. My emergency break and high beams lights flash/stay-on randomly when NEITHER are in use. And after only 17,000 k mi, the transmission went up. This car is of the cheapest quality and was the poorest investment I have ever made. Two thumbs down to the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt.

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  not to bad - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By huff_daddy456 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Got a 1997 in April of 2001. I found one with only 30K and got a decent aftermarket warranty.(7 years or 100K miles bumper to bumper) Thank god I paid the extra money for this warrenty because in the past year its only fun me about $200 to get over $4000 of work done. The intire front electronics system went out and I lost all my speed sensors, power everything, and the factory standard alttenator has gone out 3 times. Even though this stuff has happened I love this car. Because of the V6 and heavier car its a great ride and I have to drive 21 hours to visit family and believe me its been a life saver.

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  Verrrrrryyyyy FAST - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Daves Z28 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I just got my Z28. It is one awsome car! I have had many custom and classic cars in the past such as a 70 Chevell, 72 Pontiac GP. Two 72 SB pickups And a Chevy Luv packing a 327 v-8. I would have to say this is by far the funnist car I have ever owened! This car with its LS1 5.7 V-8 is very fast! Dont under estimate this cars pwoer. It also handles like a go kart! I love this car!