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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  Great car for the money - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Rae - December 21 - 10:28 am

  I bought this car in 2002 and have about 97,000 miles on it. I just had to replace the fuel pump ($600), replaced the brake pads, and have put new tires on the car. Other than that, regular oil changes and the car drives wonderfully. It may not be the fanciest car around, but for someone on a budget, it is perfect.

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  Love My Burb!! - 1994 Chevrolet Suburban
  By JD - December 21 - 8:10 am

  I bought this truck in 1996 w/ 38000 miles on it. It was very well maintained and has been a wonderful vehicle. It has been the most trouble free vehicle I have ever owned, just change tires, brakes, oil and it will seemingly go on forever,(I did have the transmission rebuilt at 150k). I actually considered trading it in during the Cash 4 Clunkers promotion but couldnt bring myself to do it. It has been paid for for 11 years and still runs strong and looks great. Never replaced a headlight or taillight bulb. Yes the mileage is not the greatest but it is comfortable, dependable and bulletproof and I intend to keep it till it dies but then I have been saying that for several years :)

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  Beyond any other in its class - 2017 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Michael Morrison - December 21 - 7:58 am

  The 2017 Camero beats every other sports car in its class. Excellent power, speed, handeling. The 50th aniversary is the way to go!

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  Great SUV - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mwraith - December 20 - 1:33 pm

  I bought this suv with 45000 miles and the only problem was the radio lights went out covered by extended warr After adding a k&n filter i get around 19 mpg in town very strong engine for a 6 cly great family car and great for traveling so far no problems and have made two trips from north carolina to arizona and still quiet and fun to drive. a good buy for todays cars and with all cars having problem this one is a great buy for the money

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  Should be a lot better - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By rjd - December 20 - 8:44 am

  This car is terrible. Always had GM vehicles. This one is terrible. It slides in the rain, no one knows why. Never happened with my Blazer or Jimmy. Dealership has been a pain. Owed me more for truck trade wont give up $1000. GM said they would still waiting. I will never buy GM again. Hello Tokyo...

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  nice truck - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dereko - December 20 - 3:20 am

  nice quiet ride. very smooth. we take the truck for family outings, while the suv sit in the garage. ive learned to drive easy to maximize mileage using afm, but would like it to stay in 4cyl at higher speeds/rpm. average is 17.1 on computer. had one problem with pass lock not locking/unlocking. it was fixed under warranty.

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  Last Chevy I Will Ever Buy - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By bernard - December 20 - 2:15 am

  Speedometer went out at 66,000 miles ($379.93). Light went out on climate control, have to replace whole unit ($336.60). Sometimes windshield wipers don`t work at all. Or wont shut off. Service Traction System light comes on occasionally, then does upon restarting. It seems to me that there is some kind of electrical issue with these cars, as many people experience the same problems.

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  Im affraid of driving my NOX - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Isaura - December 19 - 5:27 pm

  My Nox was my 16 birthday gift, i was so thrilled but not now!! since two months of purchased it started having problems: 1) The start engine switch was awfully bad had two different keys by now 2) I have drifted three times and have crash it because of the front traction. 3) Has horrible electric problems i have got my way home in a flat bed shuts down because a short circuit, 4) have burned twice the power steering fussiles 5) The interior is BIG trash! nmbers had fade, the arm rest has peeled off 6) The emergency Brake conflicts with the cup holders if you are using them and from all the stuff even the cd player doesnt work since like 2 years now! A/C does not work right now !

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  224,000 miles and just getting started - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By snm1220 - December 19 - 5:07 pm

  I acquired this car from my son after turning my 4 door car over to my children for their family use. I immediately noticed the 35 mpg plus highway gas mileage with the 4 speed automatic transmission. The air is ice cold in the summer & very warm in the winter. Visibility, ride & handling is very good. This car runs all day at highway speed, uses no oil or has any fluid leaks. Replacement parts are inexpensive. This is truly the most reliable, least cost per mile vehicle ive ever owned. At 300,000 miles I may change the transmission fluid for the first time. I cant imagine any foreign vehicle delivering this value.

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  2009 colorado - 2009 Chevrolet Colorado
  By timberwolf3535 - December 19 - 2:56 pm

  i bought a 2009 Colorado with the 4 cylinder in it 4x4 5 speed manual i like that the truck is 4x4 and gets good fuel mileage i also like the looks of it but ever since 9,000 miles hit i have had many problems and the dealer is great on fixing it but its just one things after another they have a line a dealers so i dont think i am gonna buy anther chevy unless its a diesel