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:

• 

  Initial Thoughts on the Sleeper Sports Sedan - 2016 Chevrolet SS
  By JW - March 22 - 5:40 pm

  During the short time Ive owned my 2016 Chevrolet SS with the 6-speed automatic, I have been very pleased. The exhaust note in Sport, Performance or Track mode makes me smile every time I start the car and step on the gas. Its also nice to flip to touring to quiet it down a little and smooth out the bumps when cruising on the interstate. Highs include: handling; accelleration; engine/exhaust rumble; exclusivity of having one of only an estimated 10,000 Chevy SSs imported to the US for model years 2014-17 as the 2017s are the last ones being made; and the amazing amount of tech that comes standard. Lows include: no Homelink(!!) so you are stuck with a clunky garage door opener remote; and the 6-speed automatic is slow to downshift, sometimes clunks into gear, and overall not very responsive to the 415 hp and 415 lb/ft of torque begging to come out and play. Overall, finding this car with a 20% GM discount tag makes it the best performance sedan for the money, and one of the few rear wheel drive, naturally aspirated V8s left. The fuel economy is terrible, but people willing to buy this car arent looking for a Prius so I dont consider it to be a negative. *Update: 6 months later, my review hasnt changed. I put 245/45R18 Michelin X-Ice Xi3 winter tires mounted on all black wheels that looked great and so I could actually drive it during the winter. Tires did great, and I enjoyed having RWD in the snow. Its a lot of fun steering with your throttle. To be clear, this is not an AWD crossover or SUV. It has low ground clearance, RWD, and lots of power. Not the best combination for driving in deep snow. Depending on your winter weather driving needs and how severe the weather can get, the SS might be better hanging out in the garage, waiting for Spring to arrive.

• 

  Maxx-WOW - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Bob - March 20 - 2:33 pm

  When I took out out of the lot on the test drive I thought I was at the indy 500! WOW what power! Handling is great and I love the 4 Wheel Disc Brakes adn ABS. I dont really know how the traction control is supposed to work, but then maybe thats the idea? More than enough room. As much versatility as a station wagon at a more practial size. Will give more as I drive more.

• 

  Pretty car..too many transmission problems - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Charlene - March 20 - 3:56 am

  The car actually belongs to my mother, but due to eye problems, I am the driver. My mother purchased the car in Nov. of 2007. Since the purchase, weve had a new transmission installed and had to have it checked twice after that. Now there is a problem with the shifting the car from Park to Drive,etc. The shift has become stiff and it takes two hands to get it to move. Love the car, hate the problems weve had.

• 

  Chevy scores a hit with the Colorado - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Richard Conviser - March 19 - 10:11 pm

  I needed to get a WT model rather than the base model to get the rear seats that are, at best, for occasional use. I elected to get the 6-cylinder engine because I felt that the 4 would be under powered, and there was just 1 mpg difference in fuel economy between the engines. I dont regret either decision. The Colorado is a great work truck, with adequate power, and its quiet. Im looking forward to getting years of use from it. Already, in the first month, Ive hauled gravel, mulch, sand, paving stones, wood chips, and cardboard in it. I plan to use it for recreation also.

• 

  Average...to the EXTREME - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By samdc - March 19 - 9:53 pm

  Front wheel drive. It isnt too fast, but not underpowered. It has a few decent interior features, but feels cheap. There is no road-feel, which may or may not be a good thing depending on your taste. It has unique styling (again: which may or may not be good.) For a 6cyl it should get better mileage. Lots of road noise. Smallish backseat. Odd headlight controls. Front wheel drive.

• 

  #1 in American Muscle - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By CowboyVike - March 18 - 3:53 pm

  Stop the whining. Either you are man enough to own a Z28 or youre not. You know exactly what you are getting when you purchase one. Sure, you sacrifice some comfort. But you are getting the sharpest, fastest muscle car built in 2001. I love the feeling you get when you step on the gas, Also, with and upgraded exhaust system you get the best muscle car sound around. As I said earlier, you know what to expect when you buy a Z28. If guts and muscle, with very good looks, are what you are looking for, then you made the right choice. This is definitely not your mothers Mustang!

• 

  Great pickup! - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By hogman26 - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck because I liked the way it looked over the half-ton. I am completely satisfied by it so far. The performance is unbelieveable a true strong running truck. My truck has the 6.0L in it more than enough power. But I have added dual exhaust and plan on an intake system in the near future. Still it has more power than other pickups when it was stock. I have had no mechanical problems yet. Just a little rattle under the dash. I highly recomend this truck.

• 

  LTZ TrailBlazer review - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jon B Meier - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle new. I have owned this vehicle for two years. Overall,I have been extremely happy with it. The handling is a little sloppy and the gas mileage is average. Ive had no problems with it.

• 

  Satasfied Impala Owner - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By kwjake - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I especially love the quiet, comfortable ride. I realize that the "experts" prefer the 3.8L engine, however, after trading in my piece of junk, unreliable Sable, the 3.4l seems pretty responsive.

• 

  Duramax Allison Awesome - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By fast phil - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Mine is a 2002, with 33,000 miles. The Duramax Diesel Allison trans combination is worth the money, even for standard driving. I two 2 small trailers, under 3000 lbs, and the mileage stays 15 mpg at 70 mph. The brakes are phenominal. My last truck was a Dodge Ram, this is far superior.