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:

• 

  they dont build em like they use to - 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Tom G - August 12 - 2:52 am

  I actually have the 2500hd Duramax LTZ (not one of the choices) and with about 2K miles. I drive some dusty roads and like having a camper shell to normally keep things dry and clean, but the bed has so many holes that dust comes into the bed in buckets. My previous 2006 chevy 1500 had a solid bed that I could sleep in the bed, not this truck. They have left big gaps around the tailgate that water and dirt comes and I have tried to add gaskets to seal up gaps but nothing really works. The truck drives ok but the recommended tire pressure at 75psi rear has the back end dancing on every bump. I lower the tire pressure when not hauling, and it helps, but the tire pressure sensor goes off. The seats are much stiffer that my 06 due to the heat/cooling function but I rarely use that function. Lots of AC, DC, USB connections which are handy and the except for the almost useless Navigation system most of the electronics features are good. The lane departure feature is nice as is the backup camera. The body is just not that well built if one uses the truck for other than a city commuter.

• 

  End of the line! - 2014 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ed Purmann - August 10 - 2:48 pm

  This is my third Impala in a row, 2000, 2007 and this 2014 and Ive liked each one a bit less so this will be my last. Love the styling, interior comfort and drivability but the car was recalled twice the first year although they were minor repairs, but the fuel line ruptured within the first six months, and a wheel bearing went at less then 50,000 miles. Its not very good in snow with a lot of wheel spinning on very slight inclines and am now getting a hum from the rear that is pretty annoying. Just doesnt seem as well built as the other two.

• 

  Trailblazer EXT LT - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MichelleS - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy driving this truck but it still needs some overhauling. My doors stick and I was told by the dealership thats because theyre so well made. THEY STICK and I cant open them :) Comfort is there, extra features are there but for an SUV its a little pricey. Gas Mileage could be better, I run 11 to 12 around town and max 16 on the highway in the 6 cylinder. Standard wheels with the upscale packages are not pretty to look at. Overall a decent SUV but can use some improvement

• 

  Practical, But Unreliable - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Neal - July 22 - 3:56 am

  This was the first new vehicle we ever purchased. Vehicle was in the shop app. 30 of first 50 days we owned it. 4 separate occasions for leaking differential housing, for bad serp. belt., and for steering out of tow, and once for a broken back window that shattered for no reason whatsoever. Dealer provided a Cavalier for a loaner (Thanks). Getting GM to step up to the plate was a battle. Eventually got two years of oil changes, but would have preferred a swap out of vehicle. Would have needed to go lemon law route to replace, but ended up to be too much trouble to make that happen. For the past 8 months or so, things seem to be OK. Horrible depreciation, so will need to hang on to it

• 

  Excellent for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By steveinseattle - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Lets face it-- it only makes sense to rate this car compared to others in its price range... and in that context I am very pleased. Fit and finish is better than I expected, but the biggest surprise is the respectable ride and comfort. I got several extra rebates as a GM card holder, so the price was unbelievable!

• 

  So Far, Not So Good - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By lpta2000 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Purchased car end of Jan., car in shop within 24 hrs b/c car wont start. Told nothing wrong, 2 days later same occurred, twice. In the garage since. A high volt code is causing electrical spike with anti- theft system, not allowing car to start. Data recoding sensor on car, & console went out/device shorted out. 2 weeks since purchase, GM/dealership unable to fix or replace vehicle. In rental 1+ wk. & have 1st pymt. due <2 wks. on car driven <3 days! Very diappointed! Hope just a lemon for me! In period of time in car, it performed well, driver friendly & good gas mileage. Plenty of leg room, trunk space & style.

• 

  ROUGH RIDE WITH LOTS OF POWER - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Dave - July 12 - 11:23 am

  This truck rides so rough and is worthless for a long trip that would take more than 2hrs....Overall it has all the power anyone could ask for the 4WD performs great. Its a typical Chevy though, lots of rattles, and typical poor workmanship for chevy in the cabin. Ill buy a Ford next time! Oh and I almost forgot to mention TERRIBLE gas mileage. I get 10mpg on average! It kills my pocketbook for $1.90/gallon when I fill up.

• 

  Wouldnt buy one again - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bruce2 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought what was to be an excellent driving and dependable car from an elderly lady. turned out to have a lot of problems in the next 8 months. Ball bearing in front suspention needed to be replaced w/ only 40000 miles and head gasket leaked at only 38000 miles. Bad shocks.

• 

  Not for me - 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
  By J - June 5 - 11:21 am

  I want to start by admitting I am a little bias coming from a minivan that offered space and those little things I just assumed where standard on a vehicle. To begin, I bought my Equinox based on different reviews I read and the commericals, very compelling. So I take full responsiblity for not looking closer and asking a few extra questions. Firstly, the gas milesage is horrible. I tried using the "eco" button but that seems to open a valve and even more gas falls out. My minivan is 10 years old and doesnt use as much gas. Secondly, the backseat does not have air vents. In order to cool off or heat up a car, you have to either freeze or burn the front passengers. WHY?? I did not pay attention there were no vents in the back. This and the gas mileage are what bothers me most and I would give the care back tomorrow if I could. Thirdly, storage is non-existent, if you want to grocery shop for a large family, not for you. Fourth, I test drove a 2015 but bought a 2016. Where is my CD player, who moved it. I feel this designed is to force you to pay for Sirrus XFM, I dont want to. Overall, I am not happy. I did not mark it down pass the three stars because I should have done better homework.

• 

  Dont get the 99 - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dan1 - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Many problems, get the 2000 I hear they worked out a lot of problems.