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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  Shouldve stayed FORD!! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Mark - September 1 - 1:29 pm

  Should have stayed Ford, decided to try Chevy, very disappointed with the performance and reliability. The Check engine light has come on over 7 times in less than 6 months, first few times they said the gas cap was not put on properly. Over 35 yrs of driving time, I know how to put a gas cap on. The 4th time a fuel injector was replaced, the 5th time back to Gas cap, 6th time they replaced a coil and spark plugs, 7th time yep you guessed it, Gas Cap. We like this vehicle, we are not happy with the performance, we got a lemon, working with GM to get it replaced. I know "Good Luck". GM had their chance, going back to Ford especially if they give me my money. Shouldve have stayed FORD.

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  So far So good... - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By RH-Fishers - August 31 - 5:43 pm

  We have owned or 2007 for a week now. So far I totally love it. GMs attempt for the foreign dash and knobs, or lack of knobs, has been done very nicely. The performance is good. I am very interested on how the DOD helps on our long lake trips. Ive seen 20- 24 mpg in V4 mode running around 55. Exterior is quickly growing on me. I am a big fan of Nissans Armada so that helps.

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  Hits most of the high notes - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Mark - August 31 - 5:10 pm

  I wanted to junk the SUV but didnt want to give up on versitility. The Maxx was a perfect compromise. Easy access to the rear, thanks to the wide doors and movable rear seats, and the cargo area has plenty of room - I even stowed a 7-0" Christmas tree with my toddler in the back seat and my wife in the front seat - with the hatch down!!! The car handles well but I kinda miss the turning radius of the SUV. I thought Id feel uncomfortable sitting lower but not at all - now I can get out of the way faster... Overall, Im very pleased, and as a friend of mine said - I cant beleive this is a Chevy....

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  Great Truck - 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By PC - August 31 - 3:40 pm

  This is my 2nd avalanche. I have owned a 2001 Dodge Ram and a 2004 Ford F150 and a 2006 Avlanche. This one is waaayyy better than all of them. I had a few issues (electrical) with the 2006 but so far nothing wrong with this one. Interior and exterior are much better and the suspension and engine are much smoother. Overall this is a great truck.

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  My Dream Vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By queeneene - August 31 - 10:47 am

  I cant remember if its LT or LS. Its in the shop right now for the a/c- heat issues Ive had with it since I bought it used a year ago. I have 3 kids and 2Lg dogs, it was excellent for driving from Alaska to La. last summer besides the heat going out while we were in the mts and a/c not working once we got in the southern states. Ar. dealership changed a part $250, Mechanic here changed parts twice $800+, Dealership here is trying to charge me $2,000 to replace half the a/c :( The shocks make it ride like a Cadillac. Flex fuel doesnt seem to make that big a difference. It does guzzle oil. The captains chairs in the center would be ideal in all of these large SUVs and make my job easier.

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  throttle body - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Mary - August 31 - 5:35 am

  I love my Aveo, but am not excited about my fuel consumption. I live in Canada and am supposed to get up to 49 mpg and I average 36mpg. I am guessing now that it could have something to do with my throttle body as it is presently in the shop being replaced. On Friday my service engine light came on, I had been noticing a choppy feeling in the car and thought it wasnt getting its fuel properly for some time now but tried to explain it off for something else. When the light came on I had no other choice than to except my first assumption. Hopefully this change will improve my gas mileage.

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  Total Quality Best All Around Silverado - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jason - August 31 - 12:26 am

  For the money, the ride, the quality, and joy of driving it the Chevrolet Silverado is at the top. The crew cab 1500 covers all my needs. I love the alloy 17" wheels, and the auto locking differential is a plus. I have driven every full size on the market. For overall price and quality I had to go with the Chevy and I made the right decision

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  Not what I expected - 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  By Bonnie Watchko - August 30 - 10:38 pm

  The paint has the worst orange peel I have ever seen. The panels dont fit properly. How can this be GMs flagship car? The tires cant be driven in temps below 30 degrees. What the heck is going on over @ GM ? Sold the piece of junk while it still was in hot demand.

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  "Good Car not Great car" - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Scott - August 30 - 7:56 pm

  I bought my 08 Impala Lt 3.5 V6 used with nearly 26,000 miles on it. It was in pristine shape. It runs good ONLY execpt for my excessive tire alignment problems that the factory warranty wont cover. Yea the bumper to bumper the covers "almost" everything. Other than those minor problems and the lagging power of the V6 i think it was a great buy.

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  Corrolla - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By thomas64p1 - August 30 - 6:56 pm

  Bought the car used from a dealer below KBB value. After 1 month of ownership the car runs great with occasional smoking from the exhaust possibly due to need for tune up. Only problem so far is an annoying rubbing of the a/c clutch that may be covered under the 3 month warranty. Ive owned two Toyota Tercels which were excellent vehicles, a 96 that needed no repairs and a 95 that needed a started, water pump, and rear axle due to being reconstructed.