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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  Almost Perfect Tow Vehicle - 2009 Chevrolet Suburban
  By TJ in CT - April 15 - 12:28 pm

  Traded my 2004 3/4 Ton in. The new hitch Platform is appx. 3" higher than the old one, so the trailer tongue and hitch needed to be adjusted. The engine Combo with the 6 speed Transmisson pulls my 24 10tall Wells Cargo trailer very well. Weight 3000 lbs empty and 8500 lbs with my Pierce or Bentley loaded. 2400 miles so far and 350 towing. In Tow Mode with a full load the transmission will down shift to hold the load back when needed. It shifted down to 2nd gear at 35mph. The tach popped to 4500rpm. but did in fact help slow the vehicle. I achieved 9.0MPG towing on highways and back roads on pretty agressive hills and valleys. w/o trailer I got 20 MPG on pure highway driving.

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  POOR MPG - 2009 Chevrolet Express
  By ED - April 15 - 10:05 am

  You would think gm would do a lot better on mpg. Im lucky to get 15 mpg with no cargo and 12 mpg with 8000 gvw. The spli outside mirrors are very annoying. Im still not used to them after driving it for 11 months. The plastic door panels clip in place and often pop out, then the clips break off, very cheap. At times it is difficult to see the driver info display because of the steering wheel.

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  Good so far - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jeff - April 15 - 9:46 am

  I was looking at all the usuals. But I could not afford a VW, the Mazda only had like a 2yr 24,000 warranty, the Toyota dealer would not give me the time of day, and the Accent was too small. So between the Focus and Cobalt the Cobalt won. Mine is stripped, no add ons. Good ride, but cheap tires. Getting 30-33 MPG. Decent interior, but cheap plastic on the door sills. Big trunk. Roomy for a compact car. 11,000 miles on it and no problems except for a flat tire. Had a bit of molded rubber on the bead, dealer fixed. It will get out of its own way, but not a hot hatch. Cant beat the price

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  1-Owner 130k Mile Review - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Jack DeJong - April 15 - 9:31 am

  This car has been in our family since we bought it in 2003. Extremely comfortable on short and long road trips (9+ hrs). Absolutely zero problems with it mechanically, save for a few wheel-bearing issues. The electrical gremlins typically get you with older GM models, but this is to be expected and is nothing major to worry about. Plan to drive it until it breaks.

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  BAD PERFORMANCE - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By russell - April 14 - 10:38 pm

  Bought car with 100,000 mi. from dealership. After 2 days started running bad, took back they changed a coil pack and plug wire, Ran good for a few days started acting bad, no power then light came on. Took back needed a catylitic converter. drove fine for a few days, Now runs like a dead dog, no power unless you kick in passing gear. Something is wrong. Only made one payment and ready to trade and take the loss. Very unsatisfied

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  What a great buy - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By bandit88 - April 14 - 5:59 pm

  I bought this car as the second owner with 234, 000 miles on it, about three years ago. Ive put about 60,000 miles on it and Ive put minimal amount of money in it. It is fun to drive, easy to learn stick on, and I average 33 mpg with most highway miles. This car owes me nothing!

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  Great Car - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Keep it simple - April 14 - 2:56 pm

  I usually do not do this because all vehicles can have problems however, we love this car. We can get 32mph highway and 25 in town. It has the larger engine and has great snap. It is fun to drive. It has been very reliable (47k) I really like the fold down seats. Two minor complaints. more cup holders in front and the leather model should have a auto/rearview mirror. MN.

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  Silverado - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ottoscho - April 14 - 2:36 pm

  the 2011 chevy Silverado crew cab is a must have Truck . the ride is very smooth for a full size Truck

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  Toy car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Konstantine - April 14 - 1:07 pm

  This car is awful, timing belt snapped at 4500 miles, replaced engine and never worked the same again. Multiple problems in the design yet GM still doesnt do anything about it. Dont be fooled, this is NOT an American-made car. Its a Daewoo Lanos in a Suzuki designed body. I cringe every time I see one on the road now, GM should scrap it as it is giving them a terrible reputation.

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  Best Van Ever built - 2004 Chevrolet Express
  By Rollin - April 14 - 10:23 am

  I purchased this van for work and pleasure , it has turned out to be my every day driver... I love it, my favorite thing about this van is the FUEL ECONOMY it is amazing i have the 5.3 vortec and loaded with about thousand pounds i get 20 - 22 mpg rollin down the highway at 75 85 mph,you cant beat it. Very comfortable and actually easy to park.