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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  Commemorative Edition Z06 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 2vettes - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I had a red 1998 convertible with an automatic (got it so early, couldnt chose transmission) and just got a Commemorative Edition Z06. The performance difference is really spectacular. I wish they would lose that horrible interior rubbery black plastic stuff that wont stay or even get clean but thats my only complaint. Nothing like it for the price. Note to those with carbon fiber hoods: To close, apply pressure above the latch on each side until it clicks. Its too light to drop and have it latch.

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  Awesome - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Somer - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I got one 3 weeks ago and absolutely love it. I had been looking for a new car for a few months and waiting for this one to come out. I am so happy that I did.

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  Luv my Equinox - 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
  By RONDA CUMBERLAND - August 25 - 9:08 am

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  Beats Dodge hands down. - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mike - August 24 - 9:23 pm

  The only negative comment i have about my 2008 silverado is that the front end of the truck has very little ground clearance for a 4 wheel drive vehicle. I bought a new dodge ram in 1999 and the chevrolet is far superior in quality.

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  Love my Impala but nervous about its reliability! - 2016 Chevrolet Impala
  By Cortez - August 24 - 8:10 am

  Bought my 2016 Chevy Impala in June. I fell in love with its bold and sporty looks. I like big cars and the Impala is nice an roomy. Great V6 Engine with solid performance and I get great gas mileage. I had a Chevy Malibu LT prior and I wish the Impala LT had ambient lighting in the dashboard like my Malibu did. Overall I love my car but... After just under 4 months my left brake/ turn signal light went out. Never had that happen in a brand new car. Periodically my park brake light comes on when I get in a start my car. I know that I didnt hit the button. My radio has turned off by itself, never froze or anything just shut off. Twice my interior lights didnt come on when I hit my keyfob to unlock my doors and even after I opened the door to get in the car. My sunshade stops on its own when I hit the button to close it. As much as I love my new car all these little bugs makes me nervous that I will have long term or other major issues down the road.

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  Satisfied Customer - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Lovin Our Traverse - August 23 - 10:16 am

  My husband and I are so happy with our brand new 09 Traverse. It took us 3 weeks to negotiate the deal we got, but it was worth the (minor) hassle! We absolutely love the look of the vehicle. Even our 22 month old son must have a good feeling about the Traverse because he gets ridiculously happy when we put him in it. It feels like youre driving a car but it comes with the security of feeling like youre in a big truck. There are so many little details that make transportation so much nicer-like the rubber grips in the cup holders to keep beverages from going anywhere! Well done, GM.

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  Reliable - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By dickies320 - August 23 - 10:00 am

  This truck is reliable and can pull anything. A great buy and a good truck to drive.

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  Duramax/Alison 2500HD 4x4 - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By john_bud - August 23 - 10:00 am

  The 2500HD is head and shoulders above the 1500 in capabilities. Towing is much improved with the 6.6 diesel as is fuel economy unloaded (currently at 18.3 mpg all unloaded, I track all fuel use, miles and hours). Build quality has improved, with a better "feel" to the interior. The information center has been replaced with a truely informative data center. You can track all vehicle use, business vehicle use and personal vehicle use, by selecting options. Diesel sound is noticable but in no way objectionable. From the inside, you cant tell its a diesel.

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  Good Truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Texas Rob - August 23 - 12:53 am

  I just traded mine off after 180k. The only repair I made during the four years was a front spindle. Other than that the truck performed well.

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  Great SUV - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jesiop1 - August 23 - 12:03 am

  I have had the Chevy Trail Blaser 6 months,10,000 mile and just had my first oil change WOW" best SUV I have driven, Very confortable ride, i am 62" and have broad shoulders and it has plenty of room. i have not taken it off road but down very rough dirt roads and it has a smooth ride. Its the best.