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:

• 

  These 5.7s are monsters. - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By The Z28 Guy - November 25 - 7:59 pm

  Simply an awesome car. The 5.7s are torque monsters and are very fast for a 1997 muscle car. LT1s have more torque as compared to the LS1s higher top end, but if you ask me, Ide take torque over top end any day. Replaced water pump, optispark, and starter which is completely understandable. Put on aftermarket cold air intake, throttle body, headers and exhaust which unleashed the true beast under the hood. After putting on bolt ons I began using Castrol EDGE and it went from 288 HP to 318 HP on the dyno. If you want to help the 5.7 breath better and reach its full potential than it is a must to put on a top of the line cold air and exhaust. Find one that is well maintained and buy it!

• 

  Would not buy again - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By crestedchris - November 25 - 12:59 pm

  This truck has been nothing but trouble from day 1. Trans blew at 3000 miles and brought it back under lemon law. I got a new one. Had transmission problems again and it blew at 48000 miles chevy didnt replace it because it was over 5 years. (I didnt drive it much)so that cost me 3 grand. The entire rear differential broke at 81000 miles (another 3k invested) and the trans module that controls the 4WD broke at 82000. Its horrible on gas. (says 18/21 i get about 13/15 when I drive well) The power isnt bad but for 36000$ new it was a complete rip off. Its comfortable to drive but I would never consider owning one again. And the seatbelts are so uncomfortable.

• 

  First SUV - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Sheryl M. - November 25 - 12:52 pm

  I initially looked at minivans (Sienna, Odyssey, and Routan), but was intrigued when I saw the traverse. All it took was one test drive, and I was sold. I guess I wasnt ready to go the minivan route=) The Traverse rides like a car and is as smooth as can be. I love the back-up camera, back-up sensors, and the blind spot area of the side mirrors. Due to 2 young kids, I had to have the captains chairs for easy access to the 3rd row seats. It is one of the most spacious interiors for a midsize suv that was on the market. I give it 2 thumbs up.

• 

  Perfect car for the Hwy - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Bryce - November 24 - 10:54 pm

  Very quick acceleration at low speeds due to higher torque from the diesel engine. If your not careful you will peel out. This car goes right up steep hills without slowing down. I average 44-50 mpg. If you do alot of city driving wou will get 40-44mpg if you are mostly driving on the hwy you will get 48-52 depending on traffic. Requires Diesel exaust fluid— 2.5 gallons at walm____ runs 7$ and will get you around 2,500 miles.

• 

  06 Z85 Crew - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By cameron - November 24 - 9:57 pm

  Purchased this truck a year ago. Have used it for city driving, long trips, and off roading. I have enjoyed it for all of them. The 3.5L is a little weak but not bad. Driving 65 on the interstate yields about 24mpg, 21mpg @ 75mph. We purchased this truck because it seemed like the best deal for a small 4-door 4x4 truck. We needed the back seat for an infant car seat. It has been a great truck so far with no problems. It even hauls more than I thought it would.

• 

  Chevy is letting me down... - 2009 Chevrolet Suburban
  By NotPleased - November 24 - 8:06 pm

  I Recently purchased my Suburban less than a month ago and Im already running into nightmares with constant trips to the dealership. My check engine light has already came on twice due to the ECU (Computer) changing my fuel settings which ends up leading to my truck not starting or running extremely rough. They keep resetting the ECU and it will run for a couple of days but Ill end up right back to where I started from, not driving. The truck is at the dealership as I write this... so beware, this truck is an electronic mess. Now Im sure I just ended up getting a bad build from the factory line but there are a few people already out there suffering with the same problems that Im having.

• 

  Awesome Ride - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Danno42 - November 24 - 7:19 pm

  This car is exhilarating to drive,handles great,and my 2ss has more power than i imagined. muscle car meets todays technology. Chevrolet has hit the mark. And as far as looks, mustangs are no contest.

• 

  Worth the wait - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By David - November 24 - 4:42 pm

  Waited for three months to get my Camaro. Well worth the wait! Great car. SS would have been great but needed the all season tires of the v-6. A little hard to get into if you are very tall but performance for a v-6 is great and so is the gas mileage(getting 30). Wanted a Hurst shifter but do not need it. Shifts are short and smooth. Getting stripes (black on my yellow ) and tinting the windows.

• 

  Looks good, Drives terrible - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Silverado - November 24 - 12:56 am

  On test drive there was a vibration between 45 to 55 MPH. Then we hit a little small broken pavement in the road and the truck jumps all over the place! Gas mileage is a joke if not an out right lie. We tested the gas mileage in several ways but, keep getting the same results. In town, the best gas to the cheapest gas was only 12 MPG. On the Highway, our biggest accomplishment was at 17 MPG. General Motors said the estimated sticker mileage quote was just a theoretical statement. At 45 to 55 MPH the truck has this vibration and in curves at a lower speed it has this same vibration. If driven from payment to concrete or a bumpy road the truck will dance and shake.

• 

  bought a money pit on wheels - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By david christian - November 23 - 7:04 pm

  Just got my 02 Blazer out of the shop today for its semi annual $700-800 breakdown. Gas mileage is terrible, ride is loud and uncomfortable. Too many odd noises everywhere, just waiting for the next but now very expected $800 shop visit. Waiting to dump it when I can afford another car payment. Then again, soon fixing it might be more expensive than any car payment and I wont have to go without a car while its being repaired, huge inconvenience. Next will be Toyota for sure.