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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  Steering - 2015 Chevrolet Spark
  By Lana - October 4 - 9:28 am

  I bought my 2015 Chevy Spark in April. Last night the steering locked up and I couldnt get the key to turn. A friend helped me get the steering wheel loose. If it happens again Im returning the car to get a different model. Im disappointed. I like the car otherwise even if it doesnt have any get up and go which needs to be improved in newer Sparks.

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  Quite Possibly the best car of 2013 - 2013 Chevrolet Impala
  By *likesthatcar* - October 4 - 7:21 am

  Lets be honest this car rocks! Comfort and fuel economy are HUGE pluses in this car. The 3.6 is a peppy and growling engine with great reliability. Entertainment is okay but no screen (doesnt matter!). Sound Quality is SUPER GOOD and what I mean is the clarity and bass (and its not even the Bose). I like it. Its the best of both worlds The sunroof is cool, Bluetooth speakerphone is good, Sound Quality, etc. A sporty yet comfortable package!

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  Good Car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Lanita - October 3 - 9:54 pm

  I have a 2004 Chevy Impala LS performance is great, but a few problems so far. Bought at 109,000 miles but when it rains outside it somehow creates a small puddle in the front passenger side floor. Also hesitates to start after i get gas, and trembles sometimes when i start it. But i still love it strong and powerful engine, and usually gets me where i need to go.

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  Typical cheap Americans car - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Melissa.ginesi@gmail.com - October 3 - 3:04 pm

  98000 miles almost entirely highway Under warranty repairs: water pump, radiator, oil pan, stearing column and battery cables. Great for the first three years like the other review, but the A LOT of major repairs after. GM did extend the power tran warranty but after warranty ends the car will go at first major repair. Not a reliable car after 3 years, would not recommend it unless you got a 100k warranty. For your money, you could buy a more reliable Toyota or Honda. GM continues to disappoint the Americans looking for an americn made reliable car.

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  BEST SUV I HAVE EVER HAD!!!!!!! - 1994 Chevrolet Suburban
  By DAVID - October 2 - 10:52 am

  I bought this SUV from a teacher I am the 3rd owner. It has the 454 engine and I swear it gets better mpg than the 350. I love this thing for trips to the lake I use it to pull a boat with no problem. Its very easy to fix and maintain. I cant say anything bad about this vehicle and its a Chevy so enough said.....

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  who needs a battery or hybrid car - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By Steve Moore - October 2 - 8:52 am

  I have a 6 speed manual, with turbo, rated 40 mpg highway, I am getting 40 on average, frequently I travel to lake, 220 miles one way, I have had the car for 3 years now 93,000 miles, on that trip I average 44mpg. Its just fantastic on gas, run regular nothing else. It handles great, and is comfortable, the only part that could be a little larger is the floor board area, I have a size 13 foot, and the brake and gas pedals are so close, sometimes I end up hitting both at the same time. Not much room in the back but I never ride back there. A couple of issues have happened, 38,000 miles in a wheel bearing went bad. Called GM, they agreed is low milage for that to happen, they paid for it, just yesterday 93,000 miles, check engine light, vacuum leak, cracked manifold, covered under the 100,000, other than those, perfect car, will buy another one.

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  My heavy chevy - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By tiffany - October 2 - 8:06 am

  I have had this truck since 07. I bought it for myself as a birthday gift. It sits at 198,000 miles and it runs like I just drove it off the lot. I keep up the necessary maintanace on it. I have been threw a few battiers, much to my own fault for having my system hooked up to it. A fuel tank sensor (recalled so I got my money back), tires, water pump two times, an altanator, rear hatch shocks, and some front end stuff (struts, control arms, bearings, etc. ) I love this truck and I wouldnt trade it for anything else. Im not looking forward to the day I have to replace it...

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  GREAT FOR FIRST 3 YEARS - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By florida len - October 1 - 10:32 pm

  This is a very good car for the money and for the first 3 years was totally reliable. After 3 years, 2 warranty repairs were made, and one month later, the car experienced a major oil leak that was fixed under warranty. Also, at 3 years the brakes required mashing the pedal when crawling forward or background when parking. This was fixed under recall/warranty and once again reoccurred 1 month later. While the dealer experience was great, and the repairs were under warranty, the car is turning into a very unreliable vehicle at 3 years, and we are constantly worried about what will go wrong again.

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  TOO MAY ISSUES - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By M Garcia - September 30 - 12:18 pm

  VALVE cap replaced in 2014 Purge Valve replaced 2015 Car turned off randomly when at a stop Computer panel shut off without warning When idle, car jerks Most recently, car smells like gas inside when car is on and at a stop

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  Maybe I should have spent a little more - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Rob - September 30 - 10:34 am

  I bought my aveo new in 2009, taking advantage of cash for clunkers got it for about 8k new so I really cant complain about the price. Over the years ita has treated me alright. During the warranty period I did have to have a gear in the manual transmission replaced which would have been pretty costly if I had to pay for it. Had a spark plug boot recall also which was apparently causing some vehicles to run poorly...never noticed that but got it fixed nonetheless. This car does go through a set of tires in about 30k miles, even less for the cheap ones that came on it new....think I replaced those at about 20k. I have done all maintenance routinely, havent really had any engine trouble. Did have a phantom check engine light at one point and dealer charged me 100$ to tell me that oxygen sensor was stuck in the open position, quoted me about 500$ to fix but after I reset the light the issue never returned. Had to replace a rear axle bushing to the tune of $300 at about 60k. Front disc breaks have held up well still havent even had to change the pads at 65kk, mechanic says they have plenty of life left. Although the rear drums are currently getting replaced along with shoes for $400 because the shoe came off one locking up my wheel and not allowing me to go home from work last night. This car is 6 years old and has 65k miles. For the most part it has been reliable and I plan on getting another couple years out of it, but I do feel like I have had to fix more than should have been necessary on such a new car that has been well taken care of. Next time I will go with something a little higher end. Forgot to mention I average about 30 mpg or a little over so cant complain about that!