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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  This Truck Stomps all Foreign Makes - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Charles O. - October 22 - 5:46 am

  At first I thought that America could not build a quality not notch vehicle. Until I walked into a Chevy dealership with my friend. For years the magazines and newspapers rave about Toyota, Honda, Nissian and I fell for it. I admit it now, that I let others influence my choice of cars for the last 15 years. I opened my eyes and found that GM is by far making the best cars and trucks out on the market today. I went back to Toyota and Nissan to compare there fullsize trucks to the Chevy. Back and forth, for weeks. It was clear that I made the best decision. I let my friends borrow my truck for a couple of days and there was nothing negitive that they had to say.

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  Red Hot Cruzer! - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Scotty B - October 21 - 10:55 pm

  Bought my Cruze LT used at a Honda dealer with 11,800 miles on it. The price is what drew me in as it was under $13000 before the dreaded haggle process. I love the car, its whisper quiet, has good pick up for a small 4 cylinder engine and I average 38 miles a gallon driving highway and city. The car came with heated seats, and the upgraded auto start keyless features. I am very impressed with the 7" information center as it links my phone apps to the screen. Maps, music, phone contacts and text are all hands free and work like a champ. The cars new sharper lines mimic the new civic and it really makes the car stand out. Many Cruze owners with older models stop and ask me about my experience in the new style. I formerly had a Kia Soul, loved it and it was very reliable, but the Cruze is my new favorite. Trunk space and passenger room is exceptional as well. Highly recommend checking it out.

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  A big winner - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Joe - October 21 - 8:53 pm

  Ive been waiting for this one for awhile, and Im not disappointed! A tremendous package of features (I have an LT3 with a few extras). GM has finally gotten the message on the interior...matches up to any euro luxury model out there. Big improvement in steering (radius inside 35 feet, very responsive on the highway).

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  Cobalt is a keeper - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Kelvin - October 21 - 6:20 pm

  On our first long trip we got 33-35 mpg. Seats were comfortable considering it is a sub-compact. Very quiet ride, little tire noise with the Perelli tires and 16 inch wheels that came with the sports package.

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  Fun Car - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jim - October 21 - 9:30 am

  I was looking for a retro style car, was looking at PT Cruisers, when I stopped in to the local Chevy store. I didnt know they were making the SS verison. Drove both and for the extra bucks the turbo is well worth the extra. Its a fun car to drive with the 5 speed. Under hard acceleration have a good grip on the steering wheel, there is a lot of torque steer. I guess they have relocated the window switches because mine are on the door and the cup holders arent covered by an arm rest. My only complaint is my right leg rests against the center console and is uncomfortable other than that I really like the car.

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  Its a GREAT vehicle!!!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Leslie Wall - October 21 - 2:00 am

  When I first saw it I thought it was the ugliest car Id ever seen. After driving it I decided it was so ugly it was cute! It rides like a luxury car, has plenty of interior room, and can haul 2 motorcycles and 6 adults comfortably. This is the best vehicle Ive evr owned. My sister and my father have both bought their own, and couldnt be happier. Thanks for a awesome car.

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  comfort and ride - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mogle - October 21 - 2:00 am

  love the trailblazer, had a 2002 and it was not as good as this one. the only thing I dont like is the brakes, there is a squishy feel in the pedal. I have 6100 miles and it was fine until about 5500 miles. very comfortable ride, engine responsive and great sound system. lots of cool creature comforts

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  ride - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ride - October 21 - 2:00 am

  In the amount of time I have owned the vehical I love they way it drives and the powwer is great.

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  More good than bad - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By bird - October 20 - 6:03 pm

  I have had pretty good luck with my equinox, as long as you get the oil checked every 3000 miles and contiue to change the cabin filter and air filter the gas mileage is about 26 mpg. For the last 6 months though we have a musty smell in the car, up until a couple of days ago when I received my first flat tire, we went to get the spare out, and my wheel well was filled with water. I was reading one of these reviews and somebody else had the same problem, fortunatley still under warranty, it was the pressure cabin release valve cover missing, so with two days no car, it is now fixed, so maybe this will help someone else if they find the same problem. Other than that myself and grandkids love the car.

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  Very Happy - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ChevyFan - October 20 - 11:06 am

  Just traded in my 01 Sierra for an 07 Silverado. Not as fully loaded as my 01, but I havent missed the options yet. Seats are very comfortable and spacious. Driver cockpit area is user friendly with everthing easy to get to. Instrument panel and dash has plents of useful tech features without being cluttered. Plenty of storage area. New body styling is right on and has not yet failed to turn heads. Fuel mileage for the first tank was 16 and change with an even mix of on highway and offroad miles. I expect fuel mileage to increase once I reach break-in.