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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  Exactly What I Expected - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By fastcolin - November 12 - 8:29 pm

  I want to start this review by saying I absolutely love my Cobalt. Starting with the good, the car is quick for a 4 cylinder, rides smooth, has a great stock stereo system, easy and cheap to maintain, comfortable, and very reliable. It has never left me stranded. With all of that being said, I absolutely hate how cheaply everything was built. Everything that shouldnt move moves. The dome light lens rattles, the window cranks rattle with the radio on, the dash pieces move, and worst of all is the steering column. Everyone Ive talked to has the same issue. It rattles between 55 and 75 mph and over bumps at low speeds you replace the steering column, and itll wear out again.

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  First Compact Ive Ever Purchased - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By rampy - November 9 - 3:50 pm

  I never owned a compact before but after driving a Cruze on a recent business trip I knew it was time to buy one. Im 60" and find the Cruze a comfortable car that has been delivering 30 MPG city/highway mileage. I always thought compacts would be noisy and have a cheap feel to them. Im certainly very happy with the Cruze and the cost of less than $20K. Even my wife a staunch import fan really likes the Cruze. I would recommend this car to family and friends.

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  cheapest decent truck - 2012 Chevrolet Colorado
  By 12rado4life - November 8 - 8:39 pm

  I bought a 2012 colorado crew cab used w/ 21,400 miles with the 5 cyl. 3.7L engine. The 4 cyl. engine was too weak, and fuel efficiency difference was only 1 mpg. Alone with luggage I get 24.5 mpg at 66 mph. With more ppl and luggage its more like 22 mpg. In houstons mix of highway and city I tend to get 19-20 mpg. It now has 60,000 miles and have had a $400 sensor go out. Ride and road noise are not the best, but livable. Turning radius better than full size, but not great. I find fuel mileage is significantly better than full size trucks, and I have had no issues with the drivetrain. This truck has no frills, but its reliable. This is the midsize truck to buy if you want value.

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  Get what you paid for... - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By ferdinand1201 - November 7 - 3:24 am

  I purchased my 06 Impala last month after a week I noticed a leak under engine. I sent it back to auto dealer I bought the car, they replaced the oil gasket. The leak disappeared, cold days just around the corner I switched heater dial and a loud ticking noice annoys me which last for a minute or so. Besides any reviews I read here no problem with tranny or engine KNOCK ON WOOD! But, I love it for now... well see.

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  colorado crew cab lt 2 wheel drive - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By gelillc - November 3 - 8:48 pm

  Had this truck a week so far so good They crew cab is apprx 6 inches longer than my regular cab Silverado so not as small as people would think I previously had a 2007 Colorado this is 1000 percent improvement

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  Totally Hot Car - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By scarlett13 - November 1 - 9:41 pm

  My husband actually bought this and traded in my Ford Explorer while it was in the driveway. Its the 2SS and I adore it! This car is very fast. 426+ hp.. Been asked for phone numbers while pumping gas on more than one occasion in car. Got a few minor issues probably due to my height. 56". Trouble seeing out front and back. Gotten a few tickets. Sunroof and whole package great. Thoroughly recommend. Hasnt been in the shop one day. Just listed to get something boring and sensible. Just hate to sell. Makes driving fun again. Love it. Needs a rear camera.

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  Pretty darn good for a cheap car!! - 2005 Chevrolet Classic
  By sailinorth - October 29 - 8:53 pm

  Well, I had the 2005 Malibu Classic for 9 years with no big complaints. I bought it December 05 with 26k miles on it and sold it with 120k miles on it 9 years later. Little issues of course, but for the money I paid back then I cant complain at all. Had to disconnect the safety cable between the ignition and the gear shifter as it would stick and not allow me to take the key out of the ignition because the key thought it was still in gear. Had to replace the A/C buttons as bad connection there makes it so the A/C would not turn on or engage. Ended up replacing 2 motor mounts - very expensive! Other than that only regular maint over the 9 years. Drove as a typical cheap car no comfort.

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  headlights - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By berke - October 29 - 7:08 pm

  Just had to pay $120.00 labor to change a low beam bulb. Not blaming the mechanics but the designers who did such a poor job. If you havent had to change a bulb you will be shocked. I have always changed the headlights myself, up to now, but this is ridiculous.

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  Just reached 12K miles and so far so good.. - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By peterlc63 - October 29 - 2:41 pm

  So far, the car has been great. It drives so smooth and the instant torque I get from a dead stop is a delight after dealing the turbo lag on my Outback XT for 8 years. The EV range covers my work and weekend commutes so I can go months without having to buy gas. Getting the HOV lane stickers is great along with the $1,500 rebate from the state. I also got a time-of-use meter from my local utility (Pasadena) so I get cheaper electricity rates during mid and off peak times. They also gave me $300 of LED lightbulbs! The car is sluggish in ER mode while driving in the city but, has been fine on long trips. I average 37 to 43 miles MPG depending on how fast Im going. No issues ... yet.

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  Just went over 300,000 miles - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jollyprez - October 26 - 9:32 pm

  Bought new in December, 2003. Had a few warranty issues, but dont care as they were paid-for. Outside of warranty, weve had about $5,000 in repairs over the past DECADE. ( not including tires & brakes ) This includes replacing both bumpers as they rusted from New England road salt. Sure, there are few things that dont work, but mostly little things. We were considering a new tow vehicle, but figure for another $5,000 we can really spruce this puppy up, and save $50,000.