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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  A step up for a first time buyer - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Missy - July 28 - 9:30 pm

  My last car was a Pontiac Grand Am so I made a conscious decision to buy a more powerful car and I definitely got it! As a recent college graduate, this car is decidedly more grown-up without having the stuffiness of its larger counterpart, the Chevy Impala. Good stereo, comfy seats, and ample leg room make this a good choice. I usually get 22-25 mpg with city driving.

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  Happy With It - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By yoyack - July 28 - 7:03 pm

  Bought new and its been very good. Count on the fuel pump going out. Mine did and so did every one in my employers fleet. Its big, comfortable and great on long drives. Power window, water pump and alternator replaced. Never overheated in 115 degree desert heat. Great A/C kept things cool inside. Wife likes this more than the Q45. Would buy again if reliability is as good as imports. Domestics just arent there yet. Extend the warranty and significantly lower parts prices and I will buy another one. Parts for imports used to be expensive, now domestics are no different.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Don - July 27 - 6:20 pm

  This is a decent car for the money. It has its quirks as most cars do, but its a good value. It rides and handles smoothly. I only gave the car a seven for build quality as after only six months the car began dripping transmission fluid. A trip to the dealer let us know the transmission casing needed to be replaced. The car was at the dealer for a week although they did provide a loaner. Other then that its holding up well.

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  Fits the bill - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Nick - July 27 - 9:27 am

  ZR2 spec Blazer. After 125,000 miles, the powertrain (original) is great--reliable and tough. I tow a boat and occasionally off road, and the Blazer does it well. The 5-speed manual shifts crisply, and on country roads especially I enjoy the drive. I average over 18mpg in general, which is really good for a truck-based SUV. City stop n go driving stinks. Build quality is rough, and I have had some problems, but nothing major or expensive. I really like the vehicles design and think it has worn well. I wish Chevy still built a "real truck" SUV smaller than the Tahoe. Used resale value is low, so they are a great used vehicle value.

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  Colorado - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By crack007 - July 26 - 12:16 am

  I have 2500 miles on the truck. Taken two trips totaling 800 miles getting about 25 mpg on highway and 18-20 normal driving. Pulls 3000 pound boat ok. Seems kind of small from the Z71 ext cab I bought new in 04 but traded for gas mileage and it is doing better than the 14-15 the Z got. If getting the 4cyl, go with the 5 speed if you plan to do any pulling. It will run highway speed with a load in 4th without much trouble but 5th is useless with a trailer. As far as driving empty, it has plenty of power, havent had to take it past 5000 rpm yet when pulling or passing. Mine has the 3.73 gear ratio I think this is the best ratio as it would be turning a lot or rpms in 4th with the 4.10.

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  2001 Cavalier - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Linda - July 25 - 9:52 pm

  This vehicle is GREAT! I got into a wreck where another driver hit me head on, and broke my windsheild and also made my airbags bust. But my engine was in GOOD shape nothing happened to it. Thank God!! This goes to show you that the engine in this car is GREATLY MADE!

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  Equinox heaven - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jeff Snow - July 25 - 11:26 am

  I was interested in the Equinox since last year. I finally bought one. Im extemely satisfied so far. The only problem Ive encountered is backing up in the dark. Its very difficult to see out the rear. I backed into another vehicle the second day I had the Equinox because of poor visibility. Other than that, Im pleased.

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  Great Truck - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By p8md - July 25 - 8:10 am

  Overall this truck has been great! I drive 50 miles a day and have had no major problems. The 4.3L is peppy and gets 22 MPG on highway (not bad for a 6 cylinder). I have 175,000 miles on this truck, it does not burn or leak oil, and have had no problems except routine maintenence.

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  Colorado - 2016 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Janice Schauer - July 25 - 3:08 am

  Disappointed that it was not as nice as silverado. Wanted leather seats. 99% had cloth seats.

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  First Colorado - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Jim Wisconsin - July 23 - 11:46 pm

  For my use this truck has worked out great. Have all the bells on a Z71. Have 10k on it with no probs. Went from my 96 GMC S-15 with 200k on it. Im getting 21+ mpg on a mix of hiway/city. Not too bad compared to other makes (and it uses regular not prem. like some of the imports). The Z71 is a little tight and jiggly but it is an off road model, probably should have gone with the z85 suspension. Seats are not too short (i.e., good leg support) and with the leather option you can set it up for max comfort. Plenty of front leg room (Im 61). Good sound system.