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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  My Favorite Car - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By kpnj - June 19 - 7:28 am

  The Tahoe is by far my favorite car. WE leased this car new in 03 and bought it when the lease was up. I have 2 kids and a great dane. This car fits everything! The only problems are that Ive had to replace the fuel pump and transmission. Minor annoyances have been the parking brake and electrical issues, but "Bessie" has started every single time for 113,000 miles. We will be heartbroken to see her go.

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  Amazing Truck - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Abel - June 19 - 1:23 am

  Best truck to buy. If you are looking for a big truck comfort and looks dont look anywhere else this is what you need. I bought mine with a z71 4x4 package and there is nothing I can complain about. I have got everything I wanted and of course the mpg is amazing for this big truck

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  Great Car!!! Hate the cup holders. - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jason - June 18 - 9:33 pm

  I traded in a Mariner that was having drivetrain problems. My car was a leftover (at the end of 08). I drove it and fell in love. The front seats are spacious and very comfortable. The car has the gusto to pull past just about any other car I need to, within reason. I do wish that I had the 3.9L engine as I have added a hitch and the 3.5 seems a bit underpowered on uphill stretches having to rev around 2500 RPMs to maintain speed. My only two complaints are the cup holders. I cant fit a large cup from anywhere in with any other cup. Smaller cups and bottles fit fine, but on long road trips, who wants a small? Also, I have been in the shop for brake pulsations twice in < 1 year.

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  Really happy - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Philip - June 18 - 1:20 pm

  I have only had my Trailblazer for 3 weeks now but I really love it. The ride is really nice and the handling is very good (I own a 92 B4C camaro) and I am very happy with this. I would like to see Chevy put in better seats, the stock seats are a little soft and are not as good as they could be. The Sun and Sound system is great and the gas mileage is good at 20 avg even with the 373 gears.

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  overall Good Vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By 10Lb Dad - June 18 - 10:50 am

  I bought my Venture used with 33K Miles on it. Overall I am pleased with the van, it is comfortable (I am 6ft 6" tall) and the power seat is adjustable enough that my wife and I can both find a good seating position. Cargo capacity is excellent, whether people or other. I have hauled upwards of 1500Lbs worth of concrete blocks (the payload rating is 1450 Lbs which is 25lbs less than a std full sized truck!) after I took out the seats(which are quite heavy). I have used this van to haul motorcycles, fire wood, full size sheets of plywood, appliances, etc. The back end is cavernous once all the seats are removed but the seats are a pain to remove compared to Dodge Flipn-fold.

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  Awesome Car - 2017 Chevrolet Malibu
  By CT - June 18 - 10:01 am

  Love this car. Safe, reliable, and comfortable.

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  Equinox Review - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By dparget - June 18 - 9:06 am

  Love driving this vehicle. Rides nice and smooth. Good visibility except for a small bind spot. Lots of leg room in front and back. Good storage capacity in rear. Good gas mileage for the size of vehicle.

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  Best Bang for the buck - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By jim - June 18 - 2:36 am

  I bought this car while I was a salesman at the dealer. Knowing the whole product line, I knew the best value when I saw it. The car has been great. 33.9 mpg on a recent trip to Florida, great in snow. Best brakes Ive ever had on a car, great power and economy, cavernous storage space, comfortable seating and great stereo. The rear roof window shades could have been designed better, and there is a noise in the front end over bumps, other than that, no complaints, Id buy another one in a minute. Im on the road a lot in sales, and since the maxx is no longer available, my next car will probably be an Impala LT with leather.

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  4 dpor Chevrolet Lumina 1997 - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By sally obrien - June 17 - 7:34 pm

  Excellent for comfort for trips. Easy to get into and out. Good radio for listening to. Easy to drive, handles well in good weather and bad weather. Accommodates 5 people very comfortably. Electric control for drivers seat, nice to set the seat to your height and comfort. Adjustable steering wheel to your driving comfort.

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  LTZ Great Car - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Niceride - June 17 - 4:39 pm

  Been driving for several weeks. Got white w/ cocoa and cashmere. Outstanding looking car. The car is a pleasure to drive. Very comfortable interior. Everything is well placed. Fit and Finish is outstanding. GM has done a great job with this vehicle. I traded in a Honda Civic which was also a great car, but you cant compare these two vehicles. I cant match the MPG of the Civic, but everything else exceeds the Honda so far. I drove Altima, Maxima, Accord, CTS, STS, MKZ and TL prior buying. I feel the LTZ (for what you pay) hangs with or exceeds with the aforementioned vehicles. Cruises at 75-80 at 1900rpm w/ very, very little road noise. Just drive one.