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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  The best in large SUVs - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By quickjack - September 1 - 6:58 am

  I had my Suburban for 2 years, and during that time racked up 25,000 miles without issue. Aside from being one of the most reliable vehicles I have had, it was also the most comfortable, more so than my Jaguar or Cadillac. I averaged 15 mpg city and 19 highway. I used it as a tow vehicle at times, where it pulled a 4000lb car plus trailer without breaking a sweat, even managing 14 mpg on the freeway doing it. The big truck was deceptively easy to drive, even in the worst of weather. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a large people mover.

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  Great car - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By solcar - August 29 - 11:28 am

  We bought a Volt 2 months ago. If we had stayed around town we would have used no gas. Despite taking several trips over 200 miles to our second home, and multiple long commutes to work out of town, we are averaging 112 MPG, by plugging into 120 v charging at the destination. It beats our Prius for mileage on long trips handily, and rides much smoother. It gets over 40 mpg with the switch to gas Since we have solar the charging is carbon free. Very satisfied so far!

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  2012 chevy sonic lt i love my car - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By joes02 - August 28 - 10:07 pm

  I have owned this car sense may 2012 I wanted a new escape but I went to ford to look at them and for a used 09 escape they wanted 25,000 i said no way. Went to Chevy and looked around they where nice and very helpful I looked and looked at the sonic until i found the one I Loved Test drove it and went back to buy it, They made sure i could really afford the car because Im 19 buying a car WITHOUT CO SIGNER and going to college. I knew I could and may I say Im glad I got my Sonic I love it I had a 95 nissan that I loved but I wanted a New car so I got what I wanted. It gets 26 mpg and Im happy with it i wish was more because of the STUPID gas prices but not complaining. Love this car!!!

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  The best car weve ever owned! - 2013 Chevrolet Spark
  By witnessofjesus - August 27 - 2:08 am

  Weve had our 2013 Chevy Spark for about three weeks now and its the best car ever! We love using the Chevy MyLink Infotainment system that allows us to stream audio via our Smartphone using Pandora and Stitch applications, with more applications to follow in the near future.

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  After 6 months - 308 mpg - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By igh - August 23 - 9:36 pm

  Currently at 4500 miles with 14.6 gallons spent. Have not visited the dealer once after buying. Oil life is at 96%. Looks like first maintenance will be after 2-3 years other than the tire rotation. Will buy one more pure EV soon. Bye bye Shell/Chevron/Exxon.

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  chevy lumina - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By mmeder337 - August 23 - 8:46 pm

  the chevy lumina is the best car ever i had mine for 12 years never had any problems with it i wish they still made it i just got the impala i hope it is as good to me as the lumina was

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  Best Choice We could Have Made - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By samme2007 - August 22 - 2:07 am

  We bought a Jeep back in Oct. Completely unsatisfied. Started shopping around and came across the Equinox. I wanted a car that was made in the us or has us workers for the car. I know that Chevy was most certainly the best option. I am completely satisfied and I love my car so much more than I could have ever liked the Jeep Compass.

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  Amazing technology, fun to drive, but at a price - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By hsm - August 21 - 7:52 pm

  Great car... replaced a BMW 335I... this car isnt a bimmer, but its a very well built vehicle although there is a lot of plastic... fun to drive... but, you have to learn how to drive it... I drive mostly in low around town (not in the traditional sense as car is one speed), it helps regenerate the battery more efficiently... getting between 38-45 miles on a charge this way... when driving on open road, hold feature is outstanding... saves all the electric... Averaging 36 MPG when on all gas ... Overall MPG will depend on how you drive... the more you use it as an EV the higher the MPG... Car is pricey but so is all new technology... happy to buy American... dont miss the Bimmer...

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  2007 Tahoe - These posts are scarey! - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mvega57 - August 20 - 6:16 pm

  I purchased my 2007 Tahoe new. Its 5.3L Flex Fuel, 2 wheel drive. 5 years later and 53Kmi I have no complaints about the car (cant say that about the dealership Svc people - they dont really understand how systems on a car work now-a-days). While under warranty all servicing done at a Chevy dealer Front door interior handles replaces (chrome peeling), side doors plastic trim and rear seal in the transmission replaced (started leaking). Its been a great car, tows a 4,000+ lbs trailer no problem. If I would have read the negative reviews first, I would have never purchased it! Im glad I didnt, this Tahoe has been great for us.

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  Love My Nox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By blueicezx - August 19 - 5:14 pm

  I bought my 2006 Nox off of a used car lot. I seen the color and fell in love, laser blue. It had 75k on it, but purred like a kitten and no problems. I work from home, so naturally I dont drive it a lot. The few times I have taken it on long trips, 2-3 hours one way, I have been pleased. We change our own oil, and its a breeze to reset the oil light, compared to the 01 X5 BMW I traded in for it........the BMW was very costly to own, and with our economic status, we had to get rid of it. The only problem we have had with the Nox is the sunroof leaking. My husband and I are BIG DIY people, so we fixed it ourselves. YouTube is a wealth of info., no tools needed. Love it!