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 Crossover Vehicle for the Money - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Chevy for Life - September 30 - 10:00 am

  We downsized from a Suburban to the Equinox due to escalating fuel costs. After searching a long time for a replacement vehicle, we bought our Equinox immediately upon locating one (even prior to driving it). We have no regrets.

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  Love my Colorado - 2009 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Dana - September 30 - 9:47 am

  Ive only had my colorado for a month or so, but I love it. No problems at all. Very comfortable, great gas mileage. Cant wait to see how it does in the snow.

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  My lady bug AKA my chevy aveo 1.6L 4cyl - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Tim hershy - September 29 - 11:39 pm

  Bought my Chevy aveo with 32000 and i now have 45000. just recent i had a new timing belt put on because there know to brake at 4000 to 6000 miles. something else you need to keep a good eye on is the plastic thermostat. upgrade is i had aftermarket cruse control installed on my aveo. Good luck if y buy the chevy aveo I had just these 2 problems with my aveo but any car can have problems !! I,m planing to buy another one my next Car purchase.

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  tires & brakes at 24K - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ?????? - September 29 - 8:55 pm

  I love my ss.. It reminds me when I was 16 drivin my 56 belair. Just a bit faster & a lot more comfort, easier to steer and obviously more features. At 24k I had to replace the front brakes $450 wow! That was for brakes & turning rotors. It also needs 4 new tires $600+. At 54 years old, I can say I have always driven a Chevy. Even though I love this ss, Im getting rid of it. Its time 4 a change. I dont mind the 9 mpg around town on 93 octane ($2.85 gal. Now) but the upkeep is too expensive and Im used to replacing brakes & tires at 50k or 60k, not 24k. I hate 2 say it, but Im buying a Toyota. Better quailty, better engineering. Sorry gm, you cant make they quality anymore.

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  Beware of blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By jamel - September 29 - 8:16 pm

  I currently own a 2000 chevy blazer and I thought I had a very reliable truck, however the truck is currently in the shop for lower manifold replacement due to a leak, new fuel pump about 3 months ago,new rear brakes about 2 months ago,fuel filter about 1 month ago, replaced alternator about 6 mos after I got it! replaced rad and hose 3 days ago! the list goes on! How can I remain true to a company when I have to foot all the bills!I wonder if GM bigwigs are driving Chevys? probably not!

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  Bigger and Better - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By sorin serban - September 29 - 7:23 pm

  I have been a chevy truck owner for over 30 years. This has hands down been the best truck I have ever owned. I still cannot believe that I am getting an average of 22 mpg on the highway, with the active fuel management. Not to mention the versatility of the back doors opening 170 degrees makes getting the kids in and out a snap. I love the power when I am hauling my boat to the lake it feels like Im not hauling anything at all. GM went above and beyond this time.

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  Buy only if your in it for the long haul - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By turbofiat - September 29 - 6:25 pm

  This is a good little car but I wouldnt buy one unless your in it for the long haul. If you want something thats good on gas, fun to drive and cheap, the Cobalt is a good choice but I wouldnt buy a GM product unless I planned on keeping it for 10 years. Its poor resale value overwhelms the cost of paying it off. Overall its a well built car but the plastic interior is a bit cheap. Also dont slam the glove box or it will crack at the opener like mine did.

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  Cheap - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Cheaply Built - September 29 - 4:53 pm

  Just had our 6th child so we needed an eight seater. Currently have a 1999 Toyota Sienna and love it. Just bought this 2002 Chevrolet Venture and we are shocked at the overall lower quality of just about everything in and on this van compared to the Sienna. Rattly, interior paneling that is just... cheap. I dont know how else to say it. Good thing is that we paid less for this van with 80k miles on it than we will be able to sell our Sienna with 155k miles on it. The bad thing is that I have more faith in our Sienna with 155k miles on it than I do in this van with 80k miles on it.

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  Hope I dont regret purchase... - 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
  By LH - September 29 - 3:18 pm

  Purchased LT Traverse August 2017. Had Traverse back to dealer after owning literally a week and a half as the brake assist turned on when driving in town at 35 MPH and coming to a stop slowly. Additionally, received transmission error following day. Apparently connector issue, and was fixed. One week later brake assist came on again. Dealership indicated software update should resolve issue. Now Engine has been much louder when sitting idle, as it seems that the Stop/Start function is not working properly since software update. Other than these major issues, vehicle has more space than older model; better storage space in rear. This vehicle has more features that are electric powered, and hoping there are no major issues. I recommend the extended warranty, even if buying brand new. Im regretting not purchasing now.

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  Excellent auto - except for leaking - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By EmeraldDixon - September 29 - 3:13 pm

  I have enjoyed driving the 2006 HR for the last three years. My only problem is leaking after heavy rains on the floor on the drivers side. Are there other people experiencing this problem?