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 Car for Price - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Shell - October 26 - 6:55 am

  I am already at 50k+ miles in 2.5 years and have had no issues with this car. It is a basic car - no frills. It drives smoothly and is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. My only complaint is that the interior materials are cheap. One mirror cover broke off already with basic use and the metallic coating on a door handle is peeling off already. The door locks are kind of weird (the only autolock button is on the dash) and the basic model lacks many modern features such as keyless entry/start-up or a back-up view camera. The USB connection can be finicky, and I had to have it replaced when it was new, but now it usually works as long as the USB cord is good quality. The backseats are a little cramped when people sit behind someone tallish (I am 57). I average around 35mpg, which is awesome. Sometimes I go 40m on 1 gallon. I only paid $15k for this car, so I am very pleased with it overall.

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  Great Car for Price - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Shell - October 26 - 5:56 am

  I am already at 50k+ miles in 2.5 years and have had no issues with this car. It is a basic car - no frills. It drives smoothly and is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. My only complaint is that the interior materials are cheap. One mirror cover broke off already with basic use and the metallic coating on a door handle is peeling off already. The door locks are kind of weird (the only autolock button is on the dash) and the basic model lacks many modern features such as keyless entry/start-up or a back-up view camera. The USB connection can be finicky, and I had to have it replaced when it was new, but now it usually works as long as the USB cord is good quality. The backseats are a little cramped when people sit behind someone tallish (I am 57). I average around 35mpg, which is awesome. Sometimes I go 40m on 1 gallon. I only paid $15k for this car, so I am very pleased with it overall.

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  Great car for the Money - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Dan79 - October 26 - 2:00 am

  This car has been absolutely great for me, I bought it in ’98 with 20K and now it has over 160K. Thank God this car has practically never given me trouble, the only thing I remember changing was the AC compressor. The car doesn’t have great pick-up but what can you expect from a 4-cyln, but it flies I do 70-80 mph with no problem and no shaking. Its starting to show its age now, but I cant complain considering how it has performed till now. I dont know if I was bless, cause Ive seen some pretty sh*tty reviews here and on Consumer Reports, but Im extreamly happy with it.

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  Transmission problems - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By bittle - October 24 - 2:00 am

  Have had to replace parts of the transmission three different times in the last two years. Head gasket replaced twice in same time. Timing chain replaced. EGR valve gone bad twice, and replaced 3 of 4 o2 sensors and still have trouble. Other than that, we like our Tahoe.

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  Mid-size blues.... - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By JD in Colorado - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Overall, a good truck if small/mid- size meets your needs. I downsized from a Siverado--after the honeymoon of a new truck wore off, I wished that I kept the Silverado. For me, the 3.5L is underpowered. Its great around town--not pulling a trailer or without a load. Otherwise, youve got the keep the RPMs pegged to retain any sense of power. A lot of plastic on this truck--it looks great on the showroom floor but quickly dulls. The truck drives good--especially off- road. However, the 4WD/Z71 suspension is a little rough and dicey at times in the urban jungle--probably due to high center of gravity and short wheel base. Great sport truck--poor work truck.

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  My Colorado - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Dv2852 - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Drives well. Nimble for its weight. Interior is quiet.

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  My truck and I - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Barry Steevens - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used with 6000 miles. My S- 10 is a good truck for about town and light work. Runs great on the highway. Rides like a little truck . Is best if one places 100 lbs. in the box. Seat is the weak spot. Not very comfortable. Back relly hurts after a 400 mile trip. Motor has this peculiar vibration and vibrates at the stop light while in drive. Chevy garage in has no idea what the cause is. Drove it that way for 60000.Runs smooth on the road. Does not do snow.Best to put 100-200 lbs in the box.Love the extended cab.

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  Bought Tahoe again - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Johnny P. S.E Texas - October 20 - 10:00 am

  My first Tahoe had to go to the shop one time in 2 1/2 years (battery replacement)Liked it so well, I traded my black one for a white one and upgraded to the LT. Rides and handles better than my 2001 and much better than the Expedition. Has more power than the Fords.

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  My Worst Nightmare - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Spikez0740 - October 20 - 2:00 am

  After trading in my Grand Am for this this car I realized a mistake I had made. Bought with 71,000 miles it was a steal for $5000. 10k later I spent 1/2 that to replace control arms, a new tranny, ball joints and bushings. The problems just kept going downhill, misc. repairs such as power window motor, sunroof motor, a/c sompressor and some electrical work for the headlights. after all that i would be a fool to get rid of it. Now with 138,000 it needs a new exhaust and thats about it.

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  Overall not that bad - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By wmiranda - October 19 - 11:23 am

  Ive had the car for two weeks only. It drive fairly well so far. I travel 60 miles a day plus and get 38 miles to the gallon. Its pretty quiet overall and handles really well.