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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  2015 Malibu Rental Car - 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Mat - October 7 - 7:04 pm

  I rent very often due to work. I think this is the first time in long time that they gave me a Malibu. Most of the time I would ask for something else. It has been a disappointment. Like someone else stated, the drivers seat is one of the most uncomfortable car that I can think of. You are sitting so low that you cannot see over the dashboard. If you raise the seat, your right leg has to press down on the seat to reach the pedals. I guess this car is designed for long legs. Anyway my biggest complaint is the steering. I strongly suspect this is because it is a rental and has been abused but the steering give a step change whenever I turn it slightly right. This is extremely dangerous but I was too lazy to switch it out.

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  BLAZER XTREME - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Lazaro - October 7 - 1:05 am

  I purchased a 2001 blazer xtreme in 2005 with 55,000 miles which i still own (176,000 miles now). I loved my blazer since day 1 and have to say it, I took my brothers 2013 honda civic to Santa Cruz and is this thing as fun to drive as my xtreme, NOT even close. For a chassis used for decades by GM on their blazer it is a outstanding small sporty SUV. Ones again, super fun to drive.

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  really nice well built car with alot of optiond - 2015 Chevrolet Cruze
  By jeremy - October 6 - 5:21 am

  We have had our cruze for two months now and we really like it. It drives great good gas mileage and great style, I have a 5&3 year old and room isnt a problem. And the front seat has a ton of leg room le

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  Long term rental - 2015 Chevrolet Impala
  By David Norris - October 6 - 3:49 am

  I was on an assignment so I got an impala for a long term rental. I drove it to and from work, to and from my home, and around town. I generally like it. However, my biggest peeve is the noise. I was convinced that the rear window was open because of all the road noise I could hear in my left ear. But, no, that is just its lack of sound deadening material. In every other aspect this is a nice car. But, it is just too noisy. Trunk is quite large. It is a large car.

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  Lemon! - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Anonymous - October 5 - 1:34 am

  I got the Cruze TD and within the first 100 miles my engine light went on. It has gone on 3 more times since then. I did not get a new car to always have it in the shop. I am going to persue the Lemon Law! I did not buy a new car to have it in the shop every few months.

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  From focus to impala - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Maranda - October 4 - 9:22 pm

  Has some issues with ac/heater some with airbag sensors but WOW i am in love with this Impala! Such a wise choice from a 03 ford focus to a 07 impala ls flex fuel.

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  Why drive a small SUV? The Burb gets better mpg - 2013 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Carnut - October 4 - 9:14 pm

  My second Suburban, the first being a 2005. This one is a great vehicle especially in the Northeast US Winters. Extremely confidence inspiring in inclement weather. Also the crash test ratings are top of the list. I tow a 7500 lb boat, Snowmobile trailers and more with the truck with ease and comfort. When I am not towing I average 17 mpg in winter and 18 in summer. Like most of my gm vehicles the reliability is above average and maintenance cost super low. At 30k miles I went to the dealer and asked them to go through the vehicle and do whatever is needed cost no object and they refused to do more than change the oil as nothing is required, this is typical. My biggest complaint is flipping up and down the rear seats, its a pain. Also ride comfort with the big 20" chrome wheels is slightly harsh. Technology is a year or two behind. Overall a great vehicle

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  Animalplants - 2014 Chevrolet Spark
  By luna44@peoplepc.com - October 4 - 7:04 pm

  I bought a 2013 Chevy Spark LS when they first came out. I loved it! Then a recall on the ignition switch, then it was the fuel pump and now this year the air conditioner went out and burned all over my motor. I never heard a recall on that but reading some of the other reviews it should have been. I still Love my car but now It seems so noisy on the road and it sounds like I am driving a tin can. If I hit a speed bump it feels like to me that the front end tires start to shake and the car seems to try to recover..I have the Techno Pink. Hopeful, all the re-calls I had was a good thing and they will make a better car.

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  200K miles and going strong - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By s.amburgey@sbcglobal.net - October 4 - 4:01 pm

  I bought a 2004 Z71 Tahoe from the original owner in 2009. After owning the last 6 years, I can say it is the best, most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. It has 199k miles on it and has only had a few minor issues (1) water pump went out around 140k miles, replaced, (2) began using coolant at a slow rate but no leaks. Mechanic said it was seeping into a cylinder and being burned, recommend I use Alumiseal. I used and it fixed the problem, (3) recently had the "Service Airbag" light come on. I found out the most common problem is corrosion on the front impact sensors. Found a website that explained how to replace them, so I did. Solved the problem.

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  convertible in paradise - 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
  By gary - October 4 - 3:58 pm

  Rented a convertible in hawaii that had 16 miles on it. V6 had good power at speed but really i mean really struggled to do a burnout in 1st with traction off. Back seat mostly was for gymnasts only. Looked very cool everywhere. Navigation was the worst ive ever dealt with. Incredibly the controls for it and stereo, heat made it very frustrating. Used phone instead and tried to stay away from the buttons. How hard is it to have useable technology. My 10 yeard old tom tom is better. That is embarassing just being from the country that designed it. Ugh chevy