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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  Its great - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By rick - January 24 - 7:06 am

  I get 15.5-15.9 mpg every time I fill up only got 5000 miles on it. It sounds good, unlike everyone else I like the height I plow, good truck, sounds good, looks good, and I get better gas mpg than the 05 f-150 I had. If you drive like a jerk you will get 11 mpg any normal person will get 15 mpg and I expect it to actually increase at 6000-8000 miles once engine is broken into. Dont drive like a jerk.

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  Econo box? Not anymore - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By CLO - January 23 - 10:00 am

  A new entry-level car that really does feel upscale. I am continually surprised by the ride quality, low noise, and effortless cruising at 75 mph. The automatic transmission is velvet-smooth, and the interior is surprisingly roomy. The interior does not look expensive, but not gawdy and cheap, either. A fine car all around, backed by GMCs vast dealer network.

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  aveo - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jclay - January 23 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy driving it makes a great 2nd car for work, especially the gas mileage, just getting started and first two tanks 29-32 mpg. Was purchase to use in my hobby soon as I retire next spring. The key is hard to insert and would like to have a locking gas cap. Also would like to have cruise control.

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  Malibu Driving Experience - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By John Cipollone - January 23 - 10:00 am

  A truly fun car to drive. All interior controls in close proximity to the driver. On one 400 mile trip with AC used sparingly, the car averaged 38 mpg. There is plenty of cargo space. Air conditioning with outside air at 93 degrees on maximum brought in 40 degree air easily cooling off the car. A great car .

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  FLatulant Malibu - 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jarrett - January 22 - 10:26 pm

  We Purchased this vehicle on the 28th of November after trading in a 2012 Malibu lt That had 72000 miles on it. We chose the LS model as our new replacement because of the the options that we could get for the money. Unfortunately i think we should have done more research. At 489 miles the check engine light came on. I took the car in to be serviced and i was told that there was gas vapors escaping from the gas cap and that is what was causing the check engine light to come on. I was told that the part would be ordered but it would take a couple of weeks to get in. I can not believe this is happening on a brand new car. I purchases my 2012 Malibu as a second owner with 42000 miles on it and not once did i have a check engine light come on. i pray that this is the only problem and that i will be fixed soon. this has been the only problem that we have had with the car other than that the 1.5 liter engine is good. Its not overly quick but you have plenty of passing power on the highway. I have a heavy foot and i like to drive cautiously fast however i have not once had to floor the accelerator, the 1.5 liter gets you up to speed quickly and the brakes are nice and firm for whenever you have that driver thats not paying attention to the road. the android auto is a great feature that was added for the 2017 Ls model it helps keep the driver focused on the road all you have to say is " Ok Google" and the vehicle activates voice command. I wish the tire noise was reduced however different tires may decrease the sound. Gas mileage is good i am averaging 22.8 so far but we live In Midtown Atlanta so its mostly city driving. Overall We love this car just troubled that we are already having problems.

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  Surprisingly Good Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Mark Cee - January 21 - 4:39 pm

  After years of driving Toyota pickups and RAV-4, I was hesitant to buy a Chevy but I did because I needed the extra size. Ive got to admit - I am very surprised at the quality and reliability of this truck. I bought the truck when it was 2 years old with 30,000 miles on it. I now have over 90,000 miles on the truck and the only problems Ive had so far was the Instrument Panel ($400) and the A/C belt tensioner ($250). It has the same "tight" quality feel that I grew accustomed to as a Toyota owner. Its clear that, at least on this model, GM has finally learned its lesson and built a high-quality automobile. That was certainly not the case 15 years ago!

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  Not up to the standard - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Dennis G. - January 21 - 10:22 am

  The truck overall is a good truck. It get great gas mileage. The fit and finish of the truck is my problem. It rattles, creeks and groans. Ive had the truck since it was new and it sound like its a old truck. The dash make noise and overall the truck just sounds old. Power is OK, but thats all. Not as good as a full size truck for the fit and finish

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  1500 crew cab max lt 4x4 - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Duane Cartmell - January 21 - 2:36 am

  love truck. have 50,000 and only problem is rough idle. had at dealer 2 times but no luck. seat really stink but when I checked out 2009, they are the same. gas was a joke. I am very lite footed and get 15 highway. tried towing a car with tow mode and though my trans was going to blow from high rpm so i turned it off and was fine. great parts are power, power. also bottom of tailgate is already starting to rust. I really would buy another one, but with leather seats,

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  Good Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By NCMom - January 20 - 10:17 pm

  I bought this van brand new because I got a great deal. Its a little cheesy (needs extended visors, pockets on back of front seat, road noise a little high, fit and finish not very well done), but I find it comfortable, easy to drive, and thus far, extremely reliable.

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  Nice, family SUV - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By cdb - January 19 - 3:20 pm

  Im not much into power of the vehicle and all of that. I will say this is my 2nd TrailBlazer. The 2nd one I upgraded to the third row, DVD player, and leather seating. Very comfortable, smooth riding SUV.