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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  Good value - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Peter S - June 5 - 11:27 am

  We bought the Uplander as a certified used with 32K on it. So far it has been a great van. The ride and handling is good very car like. MPG is at just over or less than 21mpg in everyday driving. Plenty of room for a family of 5, the seats are comfortable, plenty of power with the V6. The kids love the DVD player. Interior has some cheaper components and is a little loud at interstate speeds, and the duel sliding doors are a bit noisy but hey I cant afford a new Honda or Toyota. I also refuse to pay what used Honda and Toyota vans are selling for. The last GM van I owned had 142k with nothing but routine maintenance (’99 Montana) before a deer wrecked it I expect no less of this van.

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  Still Going - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By refpro - June 5 - 9:33 am

  I have 142k on this SUV. I have not had to replace the tranny or engine. My goal is to get 200k on this vehicle. Little things have gone on this vehicle, lights on the dash have gone out. Some on the radio, gauges, etc. But owning this vehicle over 6 years, I think thats pretty good. I am a believer of preventive maintance, and I think that has helped in keeping my vehicle running. All fluids are changed reguarly, and the brake fluid,and front and rear diff has been changed. My mechanic recommended to change the radiator to extend the life of the tranny. Did that around 120k, so far so good. The suspension needed to be changed around 100k. But have not done that yet. And I proabably wont

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  Nice improvement, but drivers seat is lacking - 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Ligor - June 4 - 1:17 pm

  The car is improved in all but one criteria - where the old drivers seat (and also the passengers) was hard it was still good for long distance, the new one is softer and feels more comfortable until you are in it for more than 15 minutes. thats when it becomes apparent that the bottom cushion is now way short, and the bottom cushion side thigh support have been cut even shorter. my right foot got tired in 15 minutes - this is the same reason why i got rid of my Malibu after just 4 months. I could easily pay another $500 just to have Chevy make a better bottom cushion (Chevy if you need help go to Nissan and get theirs straight from the Altima). with 3 kids i need something this size, and the seat is a deal breaker - we will not be replacing tour 2016 Traverse with the new one sadly (unless GM fixes this quickly).

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  Incredible bargain - 1994 Chevrolet Corsica
  By herbp - June 3 - 9:38 pm

  I bought my 94 Corsica for $1200 and was amazed driving home I didnt get pulled over .Seems I was doing 70 mph before I knew it. the V6 is reallyquick and it handles well as well as the great gas mileage.

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  Reliable - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By nb_mike - June 3 - 7:21 pm

  I have had two years now. Hwy mpg 26-27.5 which is quite good for 8 cylinder. Around town mixed city/hwy only 14-16 not good with prices now a days. Overall quality is good. Lots of wind and tire noise at highway speed. Would buy another but probably the LTZ version with the 6/3 DOD. Good front seat legroom.

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  We enjoy our Suburban - 2006 Chevrolet Suburban
  By JGD - June 3 - 4:00 pm

  We have had our Suburban for almost 2 years. We moved up in size from a Ford Explorer. Explorer is junk! We enjoy the extra seating and tons of space when 3rd row is folded down. My husband and I are large people and we are very comfortable in the front seats. Kids love the DVD. One thing though, the electronic displays get very hot on the radio and DVD after car has been running for about an hour. Honestly, you can almost burn yourself. The gas mileage is not much worse than the Explorer that seated 5 people and this seats 7. It handles well on the road and is a pleasure on long trips. It does take some time to learn all the electronic "gadgets". After two years, the car has been good!

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  Lil white - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By ford man - June 3 - 3:52 pm

  This truck is very reliable and fast. The 4.3 is a great engine. I hate Chevy but this one has done good. Its at 197,000 miles and still strong as ever. However bad gas mileage has hurt me a little. Over all good reliable truck. With bad paint. And can beat a V8 Mustang

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  Does Well for what it was designed for - 2005 Chevrolet Astro
  By Al - June 3 - 2:17 pm

  Okay, so I have only had this van for a few months, but I have had experience with other Astros, as well as other brands for comparision. For what the Astro was designed for it does it well. Its not overly stylish, but it is very funtional. Has adequate power delivery, although not refined. Handles like a van, not a BMW. Rides like a truck, not a Buick, but it will haul people and trailers. It will also get decent fuel mileage. Makes a great work truck and can take the abush and punish usually associated with work trucks.

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  Good design /poor quality - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Chris - June 3 - 9:11 am

  I like the gas mileage and the responsive engine, but the Caravan is nicer to drive and feels more solid on the road. I had to replace the intake manifold gasket at 90000 kms, got partial payment from a GM goodwill warranty but had to replace valve lifters as well because antifreeze had leaked into the engine, cost out of own pocket about a thousand bucks. The body began to rust out prematurley along the roof line above the windsheild, the rocker panels, bottom of rear hatch, the hood and front fenders. I have had to replace 3 windsheild wiper motors at a cost of about 200 each (aftermarket )GM replacement was about 350. Water pump went at about 150000km, brakes shot at 110000kms,etc

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  Good for the price - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By stillridinchevy - June 2 - 1:24 pm

  I bought my car in Nov of 2006, about to trade it in for something different. The suspension is really bad (every bump or hole in the road makes my car sound like its dying, when any other car Ive been in will go over the same ones very smoothly). I wouldnt recommend it for anyone with babies (small back seat), its not very safe (car would crumble in an accident), the front bumper is removable, it kind of "clips" on, the turn signal lights and tag light have been replaced many times, gas mileage is not that great! There is no way its 30MPG. Id say more like 20. Its not a bad car, overall I enjoyed having it.