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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  Have not been to a gas station since I bought it! - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By pjk2 - May 27 - 3:48 pm

  For 40 years I routinely went to gas stations to fill up at least every two weeks. I have not gone to a gas station in 6 months.... I only used 5.2 gallons in six months. The Chevy Volt has proven to be as good as all the awards it has received. I read that 128,000 automotive engineers from around the world SAE have voted the Chevy Volt as the BEST ENGINEERED car on the road today. I agree. The ease of which it transports me to work is like no other vehicle. The effortless acceleration is hard to explain .. I tell people .. turn off your engine and coast... that is what the Volt sounds like going up hill at full throttle! Chevy Volt ... just unbelievable.

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  Everything we expected - 2013 Chevrolet Equinox
  By hugheskirby - May 27 - 3:44 pm

  We bought our 2013 2LT 2 months ago and just love it! We have 2000 miles on it now and have recorded a best of 33.9 miles/gallon on our second road trip. I like the "eco" mode as it really helps get better mileage. I have also towed our small utility trailer to pick up some gardening items and a tree to plant and was very surprised at how easily it pulled the trailer.

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  For the money cant do any better! - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By paulz06 - May 26 - 2:22 pm

  This is my second Corvette and the Z06 compared to my 2000 Coupe is in a totally different league. The Coupe was a blast and I enjoyed it to no end. It is rare living in a major city and looking forward to drive 4 wheels, but the Vettes will do that for you. My Z06 is somewhat a garage queen, but it is hard to stay away from her. This car is such a blast to drive and own I have a hard time deciding whether my Victory Kingpin or the Z06 is going to get my time. C5 Z06s can be had for as little as 19K or as high as 30K, depending upon mileage and condition. I paid 27K for mine, 8 months ago with 20K miles, GT1 wheels (4K), Corsa CatBack exhaust, and Vararam CAI, in flawless condition.

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  BEAUTIFUL car, GOOD ride - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By puzantc - May 25 - 7:09 pm

  I really love the look of my 2LT RS. The rally sport is gorgeous. From outside to inside, the compliments do not stop! The design is impeccable. The seating is a little tight. Im 6ft and no one can sit behind me unless I pull up a bit. But I expected that because the Cruze, to me, is a medium sized sedan. As for the performance: the car handles phenomenally! The turbo engine even catches me off guard sometimes during acceleration. My combined mpg is between 28 and 29 and let me tell you: Im a speed demon on & off the fwy, so I am impressed. Disappointments: the car jerks fwd when im stopped at a light. Ive seen some others mention this as well. I hope for no problems down the line.

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  100% Pure Love! - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By levwop - May 22 - 1:09 pm

  I love this car it is so much fun to drive, it is an eye catcher! Have not done anything major to it besides oil changes etc the normal. The get up and go in this is amazing! When i found out they are not coming back with Impala SS in 2014, Very upset with Chevy on this! I will keep this car as a collector now bc they are not made anymoe 2009 was the last year this car was produced..

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  2013 camaro convertible 2lt FUN - 2013 Chevrolet Camaro
  By chrisrich13 - May 22 - 8:22 am

  One word FUN This car has everything you need to have a great time driving. I was not certain which engine to get when I ordered this car the v8 sounds great , the 6 cyl gets good gas mileage and has more power than you need. So if your on the fence about which engine to purchase you will be still having a blast with the 6 cyl.

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  Great Car - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By denman98 - May 22 - 3:12 am

  Have 13,500 miles on a 2012 Cruze eco. The mileage is phenomenal. Took a trip last weekend through the mountains and averaged over 50 mpg. 13,500 miles and no problems to report. The only small issue is the placement of the hot-cold dial for the climate control, the way I sit in the car my leg rests on it and sometimes I inadvertently turn it, otherwise, great car.

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  Great Technology and great car - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By 53stephen - May 20 - 2:12 pm

  Purchased in Oct 2012 and have approx. 5000 miles on the vehicle as of this posting. I am 62" and fit just fine in this car. I love the fact that I can cruise up to 40 miles (depending on temp and speed) without having to use gas. This translates to 0 carbon emissions probably 75% of the time and the cost for electric versus gas in my area translates to 85-90 MPG at current premium fuel costs, so you cant beat the efficiency of the battery power. On long drives the car is smooth and comfortable. I would recommend leasing this vehicle - when 3 years are up - the technology will probably have advanced to 100+ miles before fuel is used.

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  Drive to Reno - 2014 Chevrolet Impala
  By camille37 - May 19 - 1:40 pm

  On break in drive to Reno car handled perfectly. On return trip ran into rain and moisture could be felt coming thru the air vents.

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  Moms little trustie! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By tauscuppy - May 14 - 1:49 pm

  I love this car! we always have new trucks, or vans. when gas prices got so high, I went out and bought one of these (after muchresearch on other compacts) Now, this is the family car, its taken us everywhere, not a single worry, I drive on the feeway ALL the time, and cant believe how smooth it is, I have to chech the sppedometer all the time, cuz I am always speeding, but, it never feels like it. this car was 8 years old when I bought it, has just over 100.000 on it now. I will own this car for a long time <3