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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  Reality - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Talley - July 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a hihg value/price ratio car, nonetheless quality could be improved much more; "abs" platic used in the interior seems and says "el cheapo". A/C very erratic, had to fix, change control panel US$500.00; alternator give up w/o warning US$500.00 repair; gas guzzler. noisy front suspension. bland tires.

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  This vehicles is AWESOME! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By New Avalanche Owner! - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Avalanche about a week ago, and I have loved it ever since. It is everything that the brochures say it is; a very versatile, accomodating, comfortable SUV that I can drive to work during the week and load up with all kinds of stuff on the weekends (like mulch, lumber, my Great Dane, etc.)! I only wish I had a longer commute to work; when I finally get there, I find myself wanting to keep driving!!

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  Suburban again - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By vince foster - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Nice ride and handling features. Very comfortable for long trips.

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  It Isnt good.... - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 5002 - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Since 4 months after I bought it, it has been nothing but trouble. It has had 2 sencurs replaced, the power seat replaced, and it hasetates and they cant fix it

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  love it, but could be better - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mulderlr - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Great utility pick up in a 2WD. Plenty of get up and go when you need it, even with the 4800 vs the 5300 v8 engine. Tons of room in the extended cab carries my two kids in car seats with plenty of room to spare. Great comfortable large front power seats cater to even the most picky passenger. Great truck all around.

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  Bad Tires - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Concern driver - July 28 - 5:46 am

  We just purchased a Traverse. We are extremely happy with the vehicle, but last night while driving in the interstate one of the tires split in half while going 70 miles per hour. We are extremely concern with the quality of the factory tires in this vehicle.The tire was melting as I was exchanging it. To replace a tire is one of the most challenging task you will perform. The tools included are not the best for the job. Our main concern is the safety of our family and we are not sure with the tires on the vehicle. It remind us of 8 years ago when Firestone had to replace a lot of tires because of safety reasons, just after few lives were lost. Chevy, please look into this matter.

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  Loved the Truck but not Reliable - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By dacuna13 - July 28 - 2:10 am

  I havent had any problems with the vehicle until now. It has been well maintained and the transmission and engine went out at the same time at 54,000 miles.

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  LOVE IT!! - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Crystal Brown - July 27 - 11:39 pm

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  Inexpensive Hot Rod - 2014 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Ranman - July 27 - 3:33 pm

  Rough ride, but made for performance. You feel the horsepower when you push it, Overall a great little car (since Im a truck guy). Bought it for my wife she loves it and to me that is all that matters. I do like to drive it, when she lets me:)

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  The Traverse, my first. - 2017 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Angela Amend - July 27 - 9:31 am

  MPG isnt great but I knew that going before hand.