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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  My 2013 Cruze 1LT RS - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By bowtiers - August 2 - 1:05 pm

  Bought the car about 2 weeks ago and couldnt be happier. I am a big gear head and based aspects other than price and reliability. The cruze ranks among the best when it comes to handling and the feel of the drive. Only the focus and mazda3 rank higher. I chose the cruze due to is executive good looks, upscale interior, german like build quality, and peppy turbo engine.

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  I LOVE MY CAR! - 2013 Chevrolet Sonic
  By becktilda - July 30 - 10:40 pm

  Words cannot adequately express how much I love my car! I had been driving the same vehicle for over 14 years. And I decided that enough was enough. It was time to get something different. And it was the best decision that I have made in a very long time!

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  Excellent Choice - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By famcircus - July 29 - 8:58 am

  Recently traded our 05 Toyota Sequoia in for the 09 Chevy Tahoe very, very happy we made the change. Cant say anything bad about our previous vehicle, but the 09 Tahoe and its ride quality, power, and options are extremely solid. My wife (and I) loves everything about her Tahoe and mentions she feels safe and comfortable while driving herself and 3 kids. Chevy did and outstanding job putting this vehicle together.

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  From a College Commuter - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By alirios - July 25 - 3:33 pm

  I bought this car for around $3500 and it is definitely worth it. Its alright on gas. I work weekends and put 32 miles in total on that travel. Then, I put around 40 miles throughout the week and only put $17 of gas weekly. Ive had this car for some time now and the only thing wrong with it was a little ring piece for the A/C which the mechanic fixed for free during an alignment/oil change. The A/C blows nice and the size of the car is good enough to fit 5 people max. I plan on getting to the 200,000 mark from its current 128,000. Just perform general maintenance of your car and dont be and idiot and this car will treat you with respect.

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  Watch your speedometer - 2012 Chevrolet Camaro
  By k2vi - July 24 - 3:37 pm

  Best car I ever owned in 23 years of driving. Installed borla cat back exhaust , BBK cold air intake and diablo tune. Got it right around 450HP at the flywheel. The launch feels like a big block is under the hood. Chevy did a great job with the design of the engine. Its a rocket however your sure to get a few tickets if your not careful. I think im doing the speed limit and find out im cruising along at 85mph. And she only has 5100 miles on it. Forget the V6 I test drove it and the low end torque is nothing compared to the SS ...I highly recommend this car.

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  Best Kept Secret - 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
  By newbie1968 - July 15 - 9:04 pm

  Best kept secret out there, a real value for the money. I got a 1LT with the conv package and am impressed with the features for the money. Great car for little money (low 20s...)

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  Exellent job of Chevrolet - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By don238 - July 13 - 12:59 pm

  Owned a Porsche Cayenne and tired with the price of gas, I was looking for a hybrid or electric car. I use the car less than 50 miles/day, after the test drive on the Prius (no power, dont feel safe) and the Volt (good acceleration, nice and solid design), I take the decision without hesitation. With the help of Chris Sanchez (honest, good knowledge, patient, professional) and the team of Simpson of Garden Grove, now Im very happy to own a Volt, I enjoy every day my car without attention to the gas price, I feel free. Thank you to Chris, the team of Simpson of GG and also Chevrolet for the excellent job

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  GREAAAAT!! - 2013 Chevrolet Traverse
  By cincymike - July 13 - 8:03 am

  Traded from an 2011 SRX. No comparison, this is a much better ride and performance. (plus the cost diff)

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  Im calling out the reviewer who reviewed this car originally - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By stig_wanna_be - July 13 - 2:12 am

  So, on that bomb shell, lets begin. The car has been awesome, I have had it for a year and put on 20,000km. The car has gobbles up twisty mountain roads with ease and inspires confidence. I think the car edmunds acquired had the cheapest tires around or are trying to get you to buy a civic. Sure Ill give them the benefit of the doubt for the plastics on the interior and the back seat but we are talking about an economy car, not a $100 million dollar machine. As per the dire lack of interior storage, this has adequate storage for the commute unless you have to store a body with you on your commute, but then again you would be using the massive trunk for that.

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  Front end problems - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By rockenroller - July 11 - 4:40 pm

  I have replaced the front 20" Pirellis on warranty due cupping at 30,000KM, everything was done at the time to ensure that this problem was corrected, ie:front & rear alignment, balance etc. All was well for a while but I now have the same issue with cupping at relatively the same mileage interval (60K) I believe the front struts are not heavy enough to handle the force the large wheels exert, I am going to look at upgrading front end components and replacing shocks with top of the line when the tires are in need of replacement. I think GM dropped the ball on adequate design strength on the Camaro, but I guess that can be forgiven, its off warranty now so too bad so sad. Its still a great ca