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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  Will it hold up? - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Farfel - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Overall, a good experience, but wonder about build quality. Have purchased mostly foreign cars (Toyota, Honda) and wanted to go American this time. If they let me down, itll be my last. I know repairs have been a big part of the American auto profit picture, but who wants to hastle with that?

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  Love my Cruze - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Sean M - January 16 - 1:20 pm

  Have had an excellent experience with my Cruze. Bought new in Hawaii at Cutter Chevy. My first "new" car in 16 years. Purchased as a commuter car with the intent of keeping it for 8 to 10 years. I chose the Chevy, 1st because I love the fuel economy of diesels and 2nd, I was excited that Chevy brought to the North American market a compact diesel sedan in over 25 years. I did a lot of research on the 2.0 diesel and test drove a few gas Cruzes. I liked the ride and feel of the gaser although the gas models lacked a little power. Not so in my diesel. This car has power and performance! It can get up and pass at 70 mph with ease. Now in California, and at over 16,000 miles, I still love my Cruze. It rides like a full sized car and is comfortable inside. Love the leather seats. I have realized an average in low to mid 40s mpg. My best has been 62 mpg at 70 mph with cruize control. I have had one issue that was resolved easily. Took to dealer, Cutter Chevy, Honolulu once for a bad sensor. Replaced under warranty, with loaner car for the day! No problems at all since. Changing oil is a pain though due to GM engineers locating the filter up against the passenger firewall. Now my wife and kids fight me to drive the Cruze. They like it better than our 2009 VW Jetta. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with my Cruze. If I had to, Id buy another one! UPDATE 20170201 My 2014 Cruze is still going strong at 33,000 miles. No issues so far. I have to change the fuel filter soon according to the cars computer. The dealer says it will cost $120.00. Thats a lot for a fuel filter!! Wix needs to start making Cruze fuel filters! Other than than the exobinent cost of the fuel filter, I still love my Cruze.

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  Good Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By EveryMn - January 16 - 7:26 am

  Performs reliably under all conditions. Not one problem in 4 years. Gets decent fuel economy for a truck this size. Lots of interior room. Good power.

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  A wonderful surprise - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Alan K - January 16 - 1:29 am

  I bought this car new (first American car I had bought in 40 years) to help my son who was a young salesman at a Chevrolet dealership in NC. It has been by far the best car I have ever owned. With over 260,000 miles on the car since March of 2012, I have spent less than $2,500 in total maintenance (not counting oil changes). I had to replace the clutch after 210,000 miles, first set of tires gave me 98,600 miles and had to replace the thermostat and some cooling hoses. I just ordered parts to replace the coolant expansion reservoir and am needing to replace the Valve Cover as it is idling poorly. But these latest repairs are going to be less than $300! Because the average "trade in " value is about $1,200 - $1,500, I am going to keep driving it until it dies!

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  My 13th Vette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By joe9148 - January 15 - 7:50 pm

  Very fast, not disappointed, glad I got the Z51 package. Would not get navagation again; no preset radio stations when navigation is on. No express up on windows, thats a no no. Other than that, its the best sports car for the money.

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  Solid mid-size, great price - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By CPIDANY - January 15 - 3:33 pm

  I have nearly 10k miles on it and the Maxx has been a great car. For mostly highway driving I have been getting between 27-31 mpg. The interior may lack some design elements, but I dont like the "wood" look, so I am pleased with it. It rides well and there have been virtually no creaks, etc. The two aspects to consider are, the width of the trunk is not as wide as on a mid-size sedan, and a smaller issue is the shades on the rear window snap in the wind. A small modification I made has fixed it for me thus far. You will notice during a test drive the car will need to downshift rather quickly - but if you need to get moving, it will get moving. The electronic steering works well

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  X - 2012 Chevrolet Traverse
  By charles decker - January 14 - 2:29 pm

  Best value for a big SUV.

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  Bought it for the long haul - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Iowa Stater - January 13 - 9:13 pm

  Put over 10,000 miles on the car in the first 3 months. 200 to 1400 mile trips on highway and interstate. Have had from 36 mpg to 44 mpg with an average just below 40. Odometer mileage shows just a little better than actual. Wish you could disable auto stop and buttons on steering wheel need to be raised a little more so you arent feeling around or looking at the wheel. But it does what I bought it for. Good mileage in relative comfort. Good commuter car.

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  10 years old and still 26mpg - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dan Brown - January 13 - 7:35 pm

  Have used the 8 foot bed for hauling hay, feed, moving furniture, travel, camping, spreading fertilizer, stretching fence, etc. Unladen, it still gets 26mpg on the highway. Still gets 19-23mpg on errands in a very hilly town (1000 elevation changes 2X daily). I credit the 6 cyl engine and manual transmission and 2 wheel drive for that. Without a load, it gets a little light in the back end, so needs ballast for winter driving. Never felt the need for 8 cyl engine, even with a ton+ of hay on board. But I never tried to tow anything, either, so take that into consideration. Bought it used for 8K in 2009; happy with it. I have not found any full sized pickup with similar fuel efficiency. Bring back the stick shift GM!

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  I Love My Monte! - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Anra - January 13 - 5:06 pm

  I bought my Monte 2.5 years ago with 70,000miles. It now has 102k and other than regular maintenance and 1 battery my Monte has been wonderful to me. Best luck I have had buying a used car. It has run solid and still does. I am getting ready to sell it and I will miss it terrible. Only reason Im selling is I now have a company car and dont need to pay to kep it on road. I am surprised to hear all the bad. This car has been reliable, and fun to drive. I would definitely buy one again. Also I must have been lucky, mine has 2 cup holders. One folds out of armrest other pulls out under radio console. 96 Monte is a good solid car!