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:

• 

  Great car for Much Less than Competitors - 2012 Chevrolet Impala
  By jimmyjames76 - October 30 - 12:52 pm

  We bought a 2012 Impala LT as a certified preowned car with 11k miles, so my review perspective is a little different than someone buying new. We looked at a lot of cars: Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Chevy Malibu, Chrysler 200, etc. We liked this car the best. It rode and handled better, had more power, a larger interior and trunk, remote start, and by far the best pricing. So far its been an amazing car. Its a great blend of comfort, size, performance, and economy. The cars Edmunds recommends instead of this car are MUCH more expensive for the same miles/year. Like $8-10k more. So yes, you could get a better car, but I dont believe you can for the money. This is an excellent car.

• 

  Love the car and the MPG - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By midnightcruise - October 28 - 11:42 pm

  This car is built very well and has a long list of features. Chevy has done a great job of creating a diverse lineup for the Cruze. The MyLink features link Pandora, navigation, XM, etc... are easy to use and the screen position, size, and clarity are excellent! Driving the Cruze is fun and for a change, I am looking forward to my next road trip. The trunk is huge for a small car, but the back seat room is a bit tight for 6 adults. If you are 510" or shorter it would be fine!

• 

  great car - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tmhires - October 27 - 1:04 pm

  My mom bought this car in 98 used with 17+k and it now has 248759 on the OD i change the oil every 3000mils and check the tranny fluid every few oil changesits been to NY and IN many times and never had anything go wrong but once in the winter when i went to IN the starter went out but hey it was the OE part it came with so no worries there i would tell ppl to buy one love it

• 

  my first car - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By hockeystud99 - October 15 - 10:07 pm

  Well i got my 1998 3.8l camaro for my 16th birthday, and have been driving it hard ever since. While i really wish i had the money to afford the z28 model, or a pontiac trans am, i am extremely happy with the performance of this car. For a v6, this car puts up numbers that you cant argue with. This thing will leave comparable v6 mustangs in the dust, and will AT LEAST keep up with the mustang gts from around this year. While its no ls1, the 3.8 in this camaro pulls very hard, and has great acceleration, and is a thrill to drive every time you are behind the wheel. With performance like this from the base model, i can barely imagine what it would be like to drive a v8 camaro.

• 

  Even form a guy who likes sports cars! - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By shmef - October 14 - 4:51 pm

  I own my volt for just a month now. What a blast it is to drive! In sport it is really neck snapping, not to mention it drives and handles like a dream. People ask me all the time about it, it gets so much attention.

• 

  Best truck Ive ever owned!! - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jbradabadowski - October 11 - 7:18 pm

  I use this truck for a work truck. I usually haul from 1500 to 2000 lbs. of tools in the back of this truck and also pull a 5x10 enclosed trailer fully loaded with tools. It now has 260,000 miles and has never given me any trouble other than I had the transmission rebuilt at 175,000 miles. I have worked this truck much harder than was intended for it and it has never let me down. These older ones are stronger and tougher trucks than the newer ones. My wife drives a 2006 Tahoe and it is just not the work horse that my older suburban is although hers IS a good truck. If you can find one of these Surburbans from 1995 to 1999 with the 5.7 engine with decent miles, buy it. Youll love it.

• 

  cruzer - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By seth21 - October 10 - 8:22 pm

  great economical car! fun to drive . 6speed transmission makes for a fun ride with easy ways to customize to make it your own

• 

  Great Car - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By kal1963 - October 10 - 5:35 pm

  Much improved quality over the Cobalt! 16000 miles and no interior noises or rattles. Car handling very responsive and fun to drive. Constant 37 mpg everyday driving - 60 miles per day commute. Very satisfied with this car.

• 

  Best vehicle Ive owned, Driving it until it explodes!!! - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By 07avalancheman - October 10 - 4:50 pm

  I bought my used 07 Avalanche in 08 with 21K miles for $29K which included the GMPP 5yr/75Kmile extended warrant. The truck has performed well and Ive used the extended warranty on the AC condencer, tailgate handle assembly, replaced the steering wheel (due to unusual wear) and a few other little things. The ride is amazing, it handles well in snow and its extremely safe. Ive had a few people run into my truck and while my trucK took very little damage while the other vehicles were destroyed. Id rather have a giant tank of a vehile than a little death trap anyday. Also, with the backup sensors, I can park anywhere and once you learn the size, you can too. GREAT VEHICLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 

  Love this Volt and the fuel savings - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By 53stephen - October 9 - 8:52 am

  I traded my BMW X3 for the Volt. I am thoroughly impressed with the technology and engineering of this vehicle. My wife and I primarily use this for around town driving with the occasional road trip. I love the fact that you will essentially not use any gas in city driving as long as you stay below the 38 mile range - so no C02 or carbon monoxide emissions at all. The car is comfortable (I am 63") and very quiet. The standard features are excellent. Chevrolet hit a home run with this car and I love buying American again.