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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  2012 Chevy Equinox 1LT V6/AWD w/ All Star Package - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By islandreamer - May 19 - 9:39 pm

  This is an update to my previous review. After a little over 3500 miles, I have been averaging 21 mpg at an average speed of 26 mph (mix city/hwy). On the interstate at a steady 65 mph, I was able to average 28 mpg and at steady 70 mph, 27 mpg. Not bad for V6 with all wheel drive. I hope to see more improvement as she continues to break in. This ride is getting better and better!

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  Best Value - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By alanseymour - May 17 - 12:48 pm

  The car is reliable. I have had no problems for over 116,000 miles so far. I do however change my oil on regular (specified) intervals. It has for a 2.2 Liter engine, good acceleration and it can drive smooth at 100 mph. I get ~ 29 miles per gallon with regular 87 octane gasoline - not bad. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a reliable, efficient commuter vehicle.

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  excellent car for the price - 2010 Chevrolet Impala
  By mmm18 - May 11 - 12:55 pm

  I bought this used in 2010, with roughly 20000 miles on it. So far I have been very happy with the car. I did 80000 miles only one minor issue with the gas pedal at 60000, but nothing else I drove through snowstorms, rain, etc and I felt very comfortable in this Impala. Highly recommend it! Giving what I paid for it, I consider it the best car I have ever owned.

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  Review from a car enthusiast - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By quattro - May 8 - 11:25 pm

  I like cars that handle well, beautifully design and well put together.Been driving my volt for 3wks and Im glad to say the volt is all that.Never had GM b4 bc of the quality of cars I have seen.Volt is nothing like that.A technological marvel and very polished from its display, drivetrain, design, handling to how its put together.Doesnt feel like a first gen product at all.GM should be real proud. I have a gen 2 Prius, BMW x5 diesel. prius is light as paper,noisy,drives like a cheap economy car. Diesel rattles and its noisy.Volt rides like a luxury car and feels safe,substantial and quiet U get the most if your commute is ~ the ev range Got 41 miles on e Try it out u will be converted

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  Dependable Truck - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By chevyman87 - May 8 - 12:12 am

  I drive the 1995 Chevrolet s10 extended cab LS 4.3 Vortec. I have no problems with it what so ever. It runs awesome, handles awesome and performs at 5 stars. I maintain the oil changes around 4000 miles, I added a spectre cold air intake, with a flowmaster super 44 muffler, straight pipe exhaust sounds good, quick, gas mileage isnt good but who cares its fun. The truck has 60000 miles on it, black and white exterior, tan interior. Engine is clean, no cracks on the interior. Minor rust but it was an easy fix. Worth every dime I would recommend this truck to friends and family.

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  Amazing performance for a small car! - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By edtamber - May 7 - 2:08 pm

  My husband actually brought this car to my attention after my current vehicle had to put in the shop with no hope of repair. After going back and forth, I finally decided to give it a chance and test drove the vehicle for 2 days. I was amazed! I have one child and there was plenty of room for him in the back and they really made every little bit of space count in this car!! Needless to say I was sold and we ended up buying it on the day I was to return it!!

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  2013 Malibu Eco - 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
  By daniel521 - May 6 - 9:37 am

  This is a Great car. I have 2000 miles on the car and am averaging 30 MPG. I drive some freeway but mostly city/suburb. As long as you don’t speed or drive aggressively you will get at or above EPA estimated fuel mileage. Also, the fit and finish and ride quality is very good.

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  Absolute BEST vehicle Ive ever owned!!! - 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tahoedream1 - May 3 - 5:16 pm

  The title says it all! I havent had my Tahoe very long but its by far my favorite vehicle Ive ever owned, and Ive had well over 50 cars in my lifetime!! The quality is so good, youd never guess it was 17 years old! Ive always sworn by Jap/German made cars, but this Chevy has changed my mind! Excellent build quality, perfect height for my 62 frame. Runs/drives & looks like its brand new! Literally my only complaint is the plastic door handles, they seem too fragile for such a tough, durable truck. Im a Chevy truck owner for life now! Lets hope Detroit remembers how to build them like they did in 95 when I go to buy a newer Tahoe in 10 years or so!

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  40th aniversaary class 72 - 2012 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 72class2012 - May 1 - 5:37 pm

  Car is great love every thing about it!

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  Great Car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By blizbiggy - April 24 - 9:06 pm

  Bought my car early spring of 2011 with 101K miles on it. So far I have replaced the front brakes and rotors and the business I bought it off of put a bran new clutch in it. I have put 20K on it myself this past year. Reliability is great and mileage is great with a nice get-up-and-go. Currently in colder weather at 32.5MPG and got 35.5MPG during this past summer. The only issues with the car so far being the sunroof track broke and that the stereo display is dying (got a kenwood double-din to pop in it). The buttons for the display also are kinda cheap and you have to press it just right to make it change.