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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  Love This Car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By GrandMaxx - November 1 - 8:00 pm

  Am a "mature" woman & love the sporty look. People are always asking "what car is that?" Handles well and have taken several short trips (300miles) and me & a passenger have been comfortable. Love the hatchback-lots of room and easy to load & unload. Headrests are a bother-rearview obstructed-will try switching with back ones as someone has suggested. Fold down rear & passenger seat a plus. My son & daughter even enjoy driving it!

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  I love this car! - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Mnshine77 - November 1 - 2:09 pm

  I have owned this car for almost 8 years and have never had a more reliable car. I wish I could buy another one and keep it in storage for when this one goes! Seats can get somewhat uncomfortable on long rides and without any cruise control, but this car was built for reliability, not comfort. And my checkbook appreciates that! Words simply cant express how great this car has been for me.

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  Beautiful Car - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By erk - November 1 - 10:19 am

  Have owned the Malibu for 10 months and 12,000 miles and have loved almost every minute. Very comfortable ride, very good mileage, excellent interior and awesome deluxe sound system. Truly the best car that I have ever purchased. Only concern is the electric power steering, which started jerking and acting eratic at about 10,000 miles while on an extended 2,500 mile trip. It took 2 trips to dealer to get steering problem corrected. Hopefully this is an isolated problem and not a reoccuring problem similar to earlier Malibus with electric steering problems.

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  My 2005 Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Robin - November 1 - 4:33 am

  After 8 months of driving my Equinox I am having as much fun as I did when I purchased it! I love the ride and handling and style! I do wish the gas mileage was a bit better (hint, hint Chevrolet), but I am perfectly happy with everything else. This is my first SUV and I can assure you as long as they make the Equinox, I will have one!

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  What a Fun Car! - 2016 Chevrolet SS
  By KSB - October 31 - 3:08 pm

  I was searching for something that would meet up to my old car. I had a 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo - SS SC with all the bells and whistles, comforts and get up and go that I wanted in a car. I test drove 8 different vehicles within the price range I was willing to pay. Although the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 both came close - you see those cars at every turn - everyone owns one. I wanted something different than the rest on the road. I also had great luck with the Chevrolet, so decided to go back to the Chevrolet dealer to see what else they might have comparable to the Monte Carlo. I test drove an Impala - too big and not enough take off. I test drove a Cadillac - it was comfortable enough, had pretty good take off - but to get heated seats - it was going to cost approximately another $10,000 - not worth it. I had already test drove a Camaro - awesome power - but my gosh that thing was so cramped and uncomfortable to ride in - it was all about the engine and the great looking outside. So I decided I would try the Chevy SS - and am I glad I did - Oh what Fun!! The one I test drove was a manual and it was great, however, I have gotten lazy over the years, was used to an automatic and didnt want to shift gears anymore - besides it was an unattractive blue. If it had been that beautiful dark navy blue Ive seen in the Dodge - I might have considered it. However, I am partial to a black car. Since the closest dealer with a black automatic SS was an hour away in hell traffic, I bit the bullet to go and test drive one. It was worth the drive - although I didnt like the price they offered and left the dealership. But I couldnt stop thinking about that car. It took a couple of days for the dealership to call me and ask what I didnt like about the car. I explained that I liked the car but here is how I work - I offer them a price, they dont add on all of their extras that I dont want and then I will decide what I need to put down and borrow for a loan. I gave them an offer. They didnt take what I offered, but came back with a price I was willing to pay. No, there is nothing fancy about the car, it doesnt have the distinct look of a bad boy Camaro - yes, everyone thinks at first that its an Impala, but I dont mind. Its a tad smaller than my Monte Carlo, which I wanted. Yes, its a gas hog, but thats to be expected - I am hoping it will get better once I decide I am done testing its power. You might think it is a grandma car (and I am a grandma) however, when I go blasting passed them on the highway, they know by the sound and the speed that its not your ordinary grandma car. I was actually sad leaving my Monte Carlo at the dealership - but after two days - my SS and I are doing just fine!

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  Update to 5/26 Review - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By bb - October 31 - 2:55 pm

  I still really enjoy this car after driving it for about 6 months. Ive had no problems at all and have noticed quite a few more on the roads lately. The gas mileage isnt quite what I was hoping for - only about 22 mpg, doing almost all city driving - but I can still go 2-3 weeks between fill-ups. Im still very happy with the LS model, it may not be as fast or as stylish as the LT or SS models, but for just driving back and forth to work and around town it works perfectly.

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  Reliable car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By phil - October 31 - 9:29 am

  This car has never had anything go bad. It is the most reliable car I ever owned. At over 77000 miles it preforms like new. It is fully loaded and all accessories preform perfectly.

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  This car is absolute junk! - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By pvanaman - October 31 - 7:18 am

  This is the worst Chevy ever! Oil lines broke, destroying engine (there is no mention anywhere in owners manual that the oil lines should be replaced at regular intervals) egr valve has to be replaced every 2 years. I replaced the fuel pump, fuel pump sending unit, nut kit, both handles that recline seats broke, windshield wipers work once in a while, brakes work so-so. 4x4 needs constant maintenance. Rust around rear wheels. Ive owned Chevys for 40 years ands this will be my last one ever! No wonder they are losing market share to Japan.

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  Best Vehicle I Have Ever Owned - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Dan - October 31 - 2:16 am

  I love this car! I have had no trouble with it mechanically and it gets great gas mileage. Who would have believed? The car is fast and fun to drive! I am completely satisfied with this car!

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  Dissapointing - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By cbtns28 - October 30 - 11:12 pm

  First of all, Ive driven larger SUVs before and never with as bad gas mileage as the Equinox. Ive also had many problems with the starter, it starts when it wants to when I frequently have it serviced. The brakes are always very loud, even after getting them fixed. I frequently hear popping like noises when starting the car that was a recalled part and finally the most annoying thing is how loud it is driving on the highway, it does not keep out exterior noise, I feel like Im on an airplane.