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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  Owner - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Lowbo - November 14 - 12:40 pm

  Since the day I drove it off the lot Ive enjoyed the ride, Sleek running always a head turner. Will never sell this truck. I utilized this truck as if it was a big hauling truck. Hauled trailers and boats with it and it keeps on running. Only problem I had with it was an Oil cooler line break 2 years ago. Other than that great set of wheels.

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  What a sweet ride - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JWH - November 14 - 6:16 am

  Ive owned the Z71 for about a year and am absolutely satisfied. The ride is extremely smooth and road noise is almost non-existent. The seats are very comfortable (unlike the Ford F- 150 which felt like I was sitting on a slab of concrete). The 5.3 V8 has plenty of get-up-and-go and the mileage is 16.5 city and 19 on the highway. The heated seats are great in Minnesota winters.

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  Everything rocks except Bose - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By quietpro - November 14 - 2:50 am

  Helped my sister find a car and ended up buying one for myself. Hers is a 3LT, mine an SS. Love the engine, exhaust sound, power, build quality, and functionality. I traded my 02 Monte Carlo SS and my only regrets are the seats and the Bose sound system. The seats lack lateral support and regardless of what source you listen to, there is a hiss at anything less than 50% volume on the Bose system; very frustrating if you want to relax with the volume low.

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  2nd Equinox and Happy X2 - 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
  By dan - November 13 - 9:18 pm

  I love my Equinox, 2nd time leasing. Go for the upgrades because its worth it and better quality/feel. I cant get more value in upgrade options for the price, compared to other SUVS in its class. It drives great, very well made and still presents brand new, one year into my lease. Never had any problems with either of my Equinoxes. I may go for the top of the line luxury options, next one I get as I upgrade each time.

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  LUV out 07 3LT Suburban - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By 01pewterz28 - November 13 - 8:25 pm

  We traded in out 05 Trailblazer EXT on this new 07 Suburban what a difference. I cannot get my wife out of the drivers seat she loves all of the features. Chevy did its homework on this Suburban. A+++ is all that I can say. We get 2-3mpg more then her 05 TB. She loves he remote start, heated seats, power lift gate, power 2nd row seats. The room its like a closet on wheels we can haul everything.

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  Wow Love My Avy - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Nickdago - November 12 - 9:43 pm

  Turned in our Suburban on a lease return and bought an Avalance. Black with two tone platinum interior LTZ loaded. Love this truck. The LTZ has everything you could want. Incredible interior with leather and lots of room. The exterior has a great design and love the custom grill and 20" wheels. The unique design as far as the way the back bed folds down and the back window come out is really an engineering marvel. get lots of looks in this truck, the black with the chrome accents really sets this truck apart. Can not wait to add some custom features I have already found. I was able to negotiate a great deal as well and GM is offering some really great incentives. 50 mile 5 year warranty wow

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  One amazing car - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jayman - November 12 - 8:56 am

  I truthfuly just needed a car with good fuel mileage. I never thought I would sit down in a little 5 speed rocket that gets 34 miles to the gallon on the highway. I have had my Cavalier for about 2 weeks and I have not had any problems with it at all, I bought it for $1500 from an individual who took really good car of it. Its only got 100,780 miles and it runs amazing. I was really suprised when it out performed a new Scion Tc. I will keep this car till it dies, or until I die which ever comes first.

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  Big coupe - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By phant2000 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Lots of room inside for a sporty coupe. Back seat is more than ample for 2 full sized adults. The 200 horsepower 3.8 liter V6 provides brisk take-offs and excellent passing. It gets great mileage for a big V6. Lots of features like auto-dimming rearveiw, heated side mirrors, auxilliary 12V power outlet, dual zone heat and a/c. power everything

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  Best Car Ever - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Genocide - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Best Car Ever

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  Cant believe I chose a Chevy! - 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
  By William - November 11 - 9:04 pm

  Wife and I went to the dealership as part of due diligence to "rule out" the Traverse because it was in our price range as an available 3-Row vehicle for the family. Immediately upon beginning the test-drive, it was clear this was a game changing vehicle. Astonished, my wife and I left the dealership to go re-drive a couple SUVs we had previously considered. There was no doubt the redesigned 2018 Traverse was going to be our next vehicle. Smooth ride, unbelievably smooth transmission (smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy?) told a story of being a luxury vehicle - Even the interior materials seemed beyond the price tag of this vehicle. Fit and finish of all internal mechanisms just seemed premium. We were blown away. At the end of the day, we figured the LT Cloth version with the Driver Comfort and Convenience Package offered the best value among the various trims and we took him home. I might have opted for a vehicle with leather but as this is to be my wifes daily driver, she did not care either way. We are an average family without any buyers remorse or regrets on this vehicle purchase. Hope this review helps others out there considering the many offerings in this price range and class.