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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  Impala 3.4L - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By SDrega - January 7 - 2:00 am

  On a trip to Florida we averaged between 32-34 mpg, which I find extremely impressive for a car of this size and considering it is a six cylinder. I really like the ride, the comfort of the interior, and the big 4 wheel disc brakes. So far after 40k Ive had no mechanical problems. The car has had some annoying quality control problems including a rattling ash tray, a defective seat track which creaked and groaned, a rear window seal which kept popping out around the edges, and roof drip rail moldings which were popping out. Since these items have been fixed, Ive had no other problems and I really enjoy the car.

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  Its OK - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By mike - January 6 - 1:45 pm

  Not a bad car. A little overpriced. A Honda S2000 would be a better choice. Fit and finish are fair, nothing to brag about. Interior is sparse and void of luxury, in fact dated and disapointing. Bought the car to try to recapture my youth (had a couple of 60s versions). Effort failed.

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  I got my moneys worth - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By vandy - January 6 - 1:50 am

  Wow -- I got my moneys worth and then some -- paid a shade over $11k (about the same # of miles on it at the time), and proceeded to run this thing into the ground. Just died 2 days ago (head gasket) with a whopping 179,000 miles. I have no complaints about this car. This car took out a deer at 65mph and did not blink (broken headlight, slightly dented hood). was also rear- ended (at speed) on the interstate by an old fella in a Buick. dented my license plate (slightly), while his grille/hood were a complete mess. I dealt with the slight rattles/noises the car developed (plastic covering tach/odometer display had an odd unrepariable squeak) because it never had any mechanical problems.

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  Positives outweigh negatives - 2016 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Richinbk - January 5 - 5:07 pm

  I got a very basic model so theres nothing too impressive to mention except that the truck is roomy in all directions, rides very well and looks good. My only major complaint would be poor fuel mileage. Sticker claims i should be getting 19 city and 24 highway. Im actually getting about 12 or 13 mpg city and jury is out on highway mileage since I do mostly city driving. I have AWD so maybe thats the culprit. Otherwise, so far so good. Cant wait to take it on a nice road trip.

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  My AV - 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By John Krause - January 5 - 3:09 am

  I bought my 2006 Avalanche for 3000 dollars below what I would have to spend for a Tahoe base version, go figure. In my AV (Avalanche) I have the Z66 premium onroad package, tow, posi, stainless side assist, and more options than I thought, still 3000 below the BASE Tahoe. I love the ride, the driving position, the fact that I can take 3 or 4 clients with no problem. Gas mileage? Check back with me later. Ill be running Mobil One 5w30, a K&N Air filter, higher tire pressure(+2lbs) and Ill keep my foot out of it. If you need a broad, stable, and comfortable ride I can suggest an AV.

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  2006 Uplander - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By e - January 5 - 2:19 am

  The ride is very smooth and quiet.It handles very well for a van. Good sight lines through the mirrors.

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  Fuel Efficient - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By KaiserM715 - January 4 - 4:10 pm

  This car was purchased used with about 24k miles and currently has about 96k. This has been a very fuel efficient car , better than many smaller cars. Has been pretty reliable (have replaced alternator at about 36k, replaced water pump at 75k and had intake manifold gasket replaced under warranty at about 73k).The only other items replaced have been normal wear items (brakes, hoses, belts, etc).

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  Pure Adrenaline - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Z06Stinger - January 4 - 2:41 am

  The Z06 is a GREAT performance vehicle. It has great power, handling is amazing and the ride is very steady. If Chevy put this much effort into every vehicle they make, maybe they could take some of Toyota and Hondas market share. The only complaint with the drive is the brakes squeal incessantly due to excessive brake dust. The interior of the vehicle is cheaply done, although the HUD is a great touch and helps to keep your eyes on the road. One cup holder doesnt make the ladies happy and the road noise is so loud that it is impossible to do anything but drive the car. The temperature control is tempermental and I am not sure that the passenger side knob is even connected!

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  Its a Chevy - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Chevy for my Baby - January 3 - 5:55 am

  I bought this car used for my wife when it had 60,000 miles on it, now has about 85K. Its been a decent car, a good road car. Had to replace spark plugs at 62K, catalytic converter at 65K (under warranty). Problems include intermittently working turn signals, squeaky suspension, motor on drivers power window switch about to go out. Steering feels too light, car doesnt feel very substantial for its size. My biggest gripe is that the car cant make it up a moderate grade without downshifting, which gets tiring on long trips. My 4 cylinder 89 Acura makes it up without so much as a hesitation.

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  What Happened? - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By FelixT - January 3 - 3:02 am

  Had 2000 and 2003 Malibu and thought that GM was finally on the right track with interior design. In 50 years of car ownership I can say the daytime readability of instrumentation is the worst I have ever had. The speedometer has only even numbered markings and the fuel gage level is difficult to interpret with quick glance. The markings are difficult to see unless in direct sunlight and become invisible if you wear sunglasses. Hard to use air flow & temp knobs. Center consle awkward to use. Drivers seat has lump in center from front to back. Electric power steering is scary with poor road feel at straight line highway/expwy speeds over 50 mph.