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 bad - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By matthoffman - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive had it for 5 years and havent run into any reliability problems yet, except for plastic trim falling off, which seems pretty standard. Its the least expensive sports-looking car available! I havent taken it into the shop for any real problems yet, and it has 50,000 now. Im hoping for another couple years.

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  Best Car Ive Owned So Far !! - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Warren L - June 23 - 2:00 am

  This car has been an awesome car for my family to travel in. It has plenty of room for baggage in the trunk, and enough room for the 4 of us inside the car. Ive been able to carry long items by lowering the back seat and sliding the item through the trunk. The power this type of car has is remarkable to say the least. I installed a great set of spark plugs after I bought the car, and it flys! When I press on the gas after stopping it picks up and goes immediately. On the highway when passing, Im impressed as to how quickly it moves around the other car. It idles smoothly and quietly, and gas mileage is great for this cars size.

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  2006 Cobalt SS coupe, victory red - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Brian - June 23 - 1:06 am

  So far my experience with this vehicle has been great. It is fast, great on gas, and rides much better than I ever thought an American car would. Prior to this car I had always bought foreign cars but this vehicle blew mw away with its quality and performance for the price.

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  Must have! - 2017 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Karena Godfrey - June 22 - 8:59 am

  I had a 2009. I recently got the 2017 and I love it. The only thing that I can complain about is the connection with my phone. When I plug it in, it automatically goes to music on my phone. That and making calls through the phone. When you try to use the phone and not the Bluetooth it will reconnect you back to the Bluetooth. Other than that, I love it!!!

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  Fantastic - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By nana - June 22 - 7:30 am

  This is awesome. A joy to own and drive. The cobalt leaves all the competitors in the dust. Great performer on the worst roads in America, [Chicago and suburbs.] Mileage better than sticker estimate. Love this vehicle. Modern sleek lines, seats are super comfy for 5ft to 6ft tall drivers. Battery in trunk makes good sense. Can ride for mega miles with no back or neck ache which occured with my Toyota, Lincoln and Suzuki. Feels solid and sound proof. Which was a great surprise to all of us. We plan to continue to see the USA in our Chevrolet Cobalt.

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  Best car I ever owned - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Debz - June 22 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent car. It has held up very well. No mechanical problems. Very comfortable and fun.

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  a perfect 10 - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By boxxhead - June 22 - 2:00 am

  this car is awesome it handles like my old sports sedan yet this did not cost thirty grand a lot more pep than i thougt it would have honey we can keep the kids!

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  What a blast! - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 2002 - June 22 - 2:00 am

  Since Ive wanted a corvette since I was young, you can imagine the standards this car had to uphold. Boy does it ever. Even with the automatic (this was a decision based upon my wife), this car is a blast to drive. So, far Ive taken it from San Fran to Scottsdale, AZ twice and each time have been extremely comfortable, gas mileage averaged 29 (with avg. speed of nearly 80). My only complaint...the small cup holder. Otherwise, this was a great choice for the money!

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  Fun in retro - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By mortgageit - June 21 - 4:13 pm

  I purchased the HHR as a work vehicle and have enjoyed it so much we drive it everywhere. Great looks and definitely turns heads. Would highly recommend this little cruiser.

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  Fourth daily driver Vette, C4.5.6.7 Crap cupholder - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Lee - June 21 - 1:47 pm

  Fourth corvette. Obviously, I am a fan, but the Chevy interior design team or engineers must have been convinced that they did such a great job with the rest of the C7, they could go home early and leave the cup holder to their kids. Frustrating to turn a corner and have coffee spill all over the seats or the driver.