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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  Versatility and Comfort - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jcrwv - May 19 - 1:03 am

  Gas prices aside, the 327 cid avalanche tows great, hauls great, and looks great. This vehicle is the real hybrid. Some ongoing issues with the A/C remain but not a significant negative as yet.

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  2006 LS - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By fcloud - May 17 - 10:20 pm

  The car is very well built. The initial quality is way better than I expected from any GM vehicle. I am pleasantly surprised by the vehicle.

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  52 MPG HA!! (try closer to 60 on the highway) - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Rexford L - May 15 - 10:18 pm

  Well, the EPA says its rated at 52 mpg highway and 30 city. I dont do that much city driving, but in the month that Ive had it, Ive put over 5000 miles on it (Sacramento CA to Williston ND and back, with another trip back to Williston. (Ill be doing that once a month) If you keep the speed under 70, on flat ground it easily averages 65 mpg, and at 85 mph its averaging about 50. The only thing holding you back from hour after hour of driving is having to use the restroom, the car is more than willing to keep on going. Its been 100% reliable in the time that Ive had it and a while it doesnt have a built in navigation system, the Android Auto is as good or better than any OEM navigation system Ive used (it uses Google Maps, displayed on the 7" center screen)

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  True blue - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By Bryan - May 15 - 8:32 pm

  This truck drives and handles well. I drive it hard like a Jeep and it always is ready for the next challenge.

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  Looks arent everything - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Robert - May 15 - 10:44 am

  I loved the look of the Cobalt and the practicallity of it. I bought it for my wife. At first she loved it. Good gas mileage, ran great. However all good things must come to an end. Shortly after purchase it started to fall apart. At first it was minor things and now pretty major. At least thats what I assumed when the dealers mechanics wanted to give me a rental but couldnt without GMs permission. This problem is still not solved and if and when I ever buy brand new again, it certainly will not be for looks or fuel economy. It will be by company and manufactures ratings, even if that means paying more for a good reliable car.

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  Great truck bad mpg - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Rich - May 14 - 8:06 pm

  Great truck, comfortable ride, plenty of power. Although, unlike my last 2005 Silverado & 2003 Sliverado with the same 5.3L engine without active fuel management that got 20-22mpg hwy, this truck is only getting 13-14mpg hwy. Active fuel management doesnt really seem to work.

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  35mpg v6 + reliable! - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By chevyman - May 14 - 6:37 pm

  1 alternator and tires/brakes in 135,000 miles! Gets 35 mpg and the new cars with V4s cant do that! Great car. Too bad used American cars are worthless, but then again, why would I ever sell it?

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  More Than Satisfied - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Mike Noble - May 14 - 8:14 am

  My Avalanche has proven to be everything that I expected. All of the cargo space is very useful, we can fit our 3 kids in back easily, it gives a very smooth ride, and the gas mileage is better than I had expected (16-17 religiously). The back seat is roomy enough for 3 adults to sit in.

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  Great truck but..... - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By open - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Positives: Truck is extremely quite for such a big vehicle - Youll notice it right away whether driving down the highway or through pot holes. Very comfortable except for the front center with bench seats. Cons: Water leak in the rear flatbed and into the cabin (known problem). Backing out was a big issue since the rear of the flatbed stuck up (almost ran several people over). Nice to have.... automatic door locks when driving and also a door- ajar alert..

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  Love my new malibu - 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
  By DanaB - May 14 - 12:49 am