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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  Im a Metro Maniac and proud of it! - 1998 Chevrolet Metro
  By tishpit1 - January 22 - 3:32 pm

  LOVE this little bugger! It is an automatic and has enough pep to move out when needed, though no pocket rocket. Mileage averages in the mid-30 MPG range... on par with many new small cars. Could use an overdrive gear, but hey, for $3500 with 50,000 original well-cared-for miles... Im thrilled! No car payments... easy to work on... fun to drive... great fuel economy... and lots of room. Wish they still made these! Wouldnt trade it for a new Fiesta, Mazda 2, Smart, IQ, or Spark or anything else I can think of. Cmon GM... bring back the METRO!!!!

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  LTZ Turbo review - 2013 Chevrolet Sonic
  By jchagtdi - January 22 - 12:14 pm

  I own a 2013 Sonic LTZ turbo with manual transmission. This is the quietest, most solid feeling, most fun to drive, and best equipped car you can buy at this price point. Turbo motor provides great acceleration with excellent fuel economy. Cabin is extremely comfortable and spacious for a subcompact, even with the sunroof, and cabin materials look richer than they actually are. MyLInk stereo offers a LOT, but there are no knobs, You must take your eyes off the road to adjust volume or FM tuner.

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  mine is a 6 speed manual - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By finallygotone - January 18 - 11:49 pm

  I bought this car three months ago used of course with a ghost in the system that effected not only the turn signals but the heater-air as well. It turned out to be a the hazard switch and cost about $466 for the local dealer to install and flush the cooling system, so not to bad. I put Michlines on it and behold the beast has come to life. It is the base convertable with 6 speed manual and its Katey bar the door when I step on it. Only 350-350 but feels like more to me. the body and paint are GREAT except for the lower air dam in front as expected has found a curb but not too bad. So far I cant say enough about this car, it is the most fun I can have with my cloths on.

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  NO SPARE TIRE! - 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
  By stone7946 - January 15 - 7:41 pm

  Having my 2013 Malibu for 3 months now, my only problem is that the car comes with NO SPARE / SPACE SAVER TIRE. No where in the the brochure or window sticker did it say you get an air pump. Nor did the sales rep say anything. When I realized there was nothing in the pit I went back to the dealer and was told that I could by a space saver, jack and tools for $500-. GM Customer Support say sorry: all you get is an air pump and Roadside Assistance. If youve ever had a blow out or a tire damaged by road debris, a pump is useless and no, I dont care to wait hours for roadside. GM needs to wise up and and give the customer the option!

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  Update on my 2012 2LT RS Manual - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By bytes220 - January 14 - 11:14 am

  After 13 months of ownership and 17,000 miles I am still thrilled with this car. It is definitely a kick to drive and the gas mileage while somewhat exaggerated by chevy and the bogus trip computer that always estimates mileage 3-5 mpg higher than actual, is still quite good at 30 city, 38 highway. BTW, in all fairness, those numbers are still higher than the EPA sticker. My car is a 2LT, not an ECO. I love the car. Get one for yourself.

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  Awesome Car for a Great Price - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By danmessina - January 13 - 8:57 pm

  I researched the Cruze for several months before purchasing a used 2012 ECO and couldnt be more pleased with my decision. The engine, though small, provides snappy acceleration while delivering 37 mpg in the city and 45 mpg highway in a sporty package. A word of caution for tall folks...if the driver is over 510" forget about legroom for passenger behind driver.

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  Its the best car Ive owned so far - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By riker93 - January 13 - 1:42 pm

  I bought my 2005 Cobalt 2 door in March 2011. It had 54,000 miles on it, and it ran like a brand new car. It has all the options, except a sunroof. My son drove it for his summer job, and the engine did fail, but it was fixed through the extended service contract I purchased. Only paid the $100 deductable, and a new engine was installed. Now it runs even better than before! It still looks like a new car, not one spot of rust at 8 years old. Im now driving the car, and I have a 2010 model, cause I really like this style of car. They both run beautiful, and I have all the maintainence done as the manufacturer recommends.

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  Great crossover - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By flyboy48 - January 13 - 9:42 am

  Things I love about our 2012 4 cly.Chevy AWD Equinox 2LT,Seating,backup camera,inside space, Leg room, Heated seats, Nav. and XM radio, with a Very nice Powerful sound system, goes Great in the deep snow, surprised me. Gas mileage is good for AWD, but wish I would have got the 6 Cyl. Its Not that much diff. in mileage and the Extra 100 HP would be nice at times, like getting on the interstate and you need to get up to 70 MPH fast to get With the flow, but oh well, Next time I will buy bigger Engine, unless they Turbo charge the 4 Cyl. Ride is very smooth and handles Great.

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  LOVE my Sonic! - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By lagrinceri - January 10 - 5:22 pm

  I bought my Sonic LT Hatch in April and Ive loved every minute of it. From its exterior design that stands out daily, to the comfortable interior with neat features (came with the bluetooth and conv package) I wouldnt change my mind for anything. I spent a year+ researching cars and I finally found a match with the Sonic. Coming from a 2005 Ford Focus manual, it was different getting used to the automatic transmission. Once you get past that hump, its a win-win for everyone.

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  best car Ive ever owned. - 1990 Chevrolet Camaro
  By porksoda1 - January 7 - 12:43 am

  I bought my 1990 Rs for $700, it had 190,000 miles on it and ran super strong. It was a 5.0 tbi automatic. I abused that engine and trans for 2 years straight ( racing, burnouts,horrendous over- revving) and it took it like a champ. The engine started to knock at 240,000 and it was replaced with a mildly built 350, and a T5 trans. This car now screams. I would recommend these cars to anyone that is looking for a cheap, fast, well handling car.