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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  NC Volt - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By ncvolt - November 2 - 10:09 am

  Waited until I used my first gallon of gas to write this review. My daily commute is about 32 miles round trip I also have the ability to charge the vehicle while at work. Traveled 620 miles on my first gallon. The car is expensive and over priced even with the tax credit, BUT it is fun to drive (has become a game to keep my efficiency rate high under all conditions) and I haven’t looked at the price of gas in over 3 weeks! Just beginning to get cold here and have seen a reduction in the range but not an issue getting to and from work. Without the ability to charge at work, I would be at the outer edge of the range under these conditions to fully maximize the technology. So far it has performed as promised and has been a great purchase. Clearly the price point will keep it from many folks but as it comes down over time many more will have the ability to enjoy this wonderful vehicle!

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  Baby is just two days old - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By richardnbaton - November 1 - 12:15 pm

  My second day driving it to work. Loved it from the start. Quiet. First day I got 41.3 miles on battery. I didnt use any ac/heat or radio. On the way home got 54 miles on 1.2 gallons of gas. I drove 50 mph on the frontage road (no stops). My efficiency reach 97%. When I got back on the interstate I went upto 65. Second day, I ran the heater for a little while, this was before I realized that Fan Only put out enough heat. Made it to work with 38.6 miles on battery and .36 gals of gas. The car drive is excellent. The interior is sharp and rich. No cheap plastic parts. The Energy ball makes it like a game to drive.

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  2003 Chevy Surburban LT - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mrwholesaler - October 29 - 5:33 pm

  GREAT CAR!!!! I love this truck, it runs out awesome. I have been a auto wholesaler for over 17 yrs and never owned such a wonderful truck. We have owned this truck for over 4 years and its running smooth with 150k on it. I replaced the water pump, fuel pump and alternator thats it. We drive to NJ from Florida three times a year with a family of five and its the best. So comfortable on long trips.. Its great on fuel if I keep it at 75mph it will do 17mpg in the city 15mpg with the big chrome wheels.. I will never buy any other suv again unless its a Suburban. Wish they had a diesel

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  Who wants a Prius! - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By gandolf256 - October 27 - 11:07 am

  Cruze ECO is rated at 36 highway and 28 city by Consumer Reports and the like. This has not been my experience. I have been careful about my driving habits, and have been averaging 38+ mpg in combined highway, suburban and city driving in Philadelphia. On the more or less open roads of eastern PA I am averaging 45+ mpg! It handles well, corners tight, has plenty of power, particularly in 3rd gear and with a few additions the ECO trim level has most everything I would want. All except for the moon roof I love, but didnt get, darn! But hey, I paid less than 17k for this car! Why on earth would I want to spend the money on a Prius? Or a Volt? Or for that matter, any other car? GM has a WINNER

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  2012 Volt - Climb the Mountains, Enjoy the Turns - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By just_a_guy - October 23 - 2:04 pm

  I am EXTREMELY happy with the Volt. Lots of power up the hills. I live in the Colorado mountains and climb BIG "HILLS" every day and despite a great test drive, I was a little concerned (if an electric car had a problem it seems logical to me that the problems would be in climbing the mountains). I am over my concerns! The pick-up and power on the hills is great. Driving this car feels a little like a sports car. I think that the distribution of the battery adds weight (down low) which it turns, adds stability and handling. At present, I am at just less than 300 mpg. In summary, a SUPER BIG A+++++ to CHEVROLET AND THE VOLT. My first Chevy after 35 years of driving, and it’s a good one!!!

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  best car Ive ever owned awesome gas mileage - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By drinder - October 20 - 11:15 am

  I been driving this car for two years now and I cannot find one thing I dislike about it. It exterior in red is awesome, modern and has a sense of power to it. The interior is spacious, utilitarian and upscale. The four cylinder engine is barely noticeable. The mobility is great as well. The gas mileage is everything advertised, I drove from California to texas and from texas to georgia this year, both trips over 1200 miles and averaged 29-30 mpg. the gas mileage actually was higher except for texas highways speed limit of 80mph. also to note that the first leg of the i had a payload of 600lbs + 2 people and the second trip I had a payload of 800lbs and 2 people.

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  2004 ZR5 - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By chevy1984 - October 19 - 6:09 pm

  i have had 2 S-10s loved both of them they always did what i ask of it including things that were really rated for this truck. my 2000 extended cab which i never really understood the one fold up seat in the back i drove to 120000 miles with no problem. then i bought a 2004 zr5 it was a great truck. the only thing i would have changed about this truck is the box needs to be bigger but i got by with it. it hauled my wood and a load of rock that i needed with no problem. i would have kept the truck but i had to replace the rear end twice i have researched this and cant find anything where its a popular problem so maybe it just a freak thing with mine. was with out a car 1 week both times

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  Great Car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By red_horse - October 18 - 1:44 pm

  I bought my Cobalt used in May 2011, it had 58k miles on it. Ive put around 13k miles on it since then. It is a great little car, very quick and it handles very well. The only issues I have had with the car were with the windscreen (the previous owner damaged it and i didnt catch it until it was to late) and a slow leak in one of my tires. But neither of those issues fall on Chevys shoulders. I highly recommend this car to anyone who has their eyes set on a used small car, it has the potential to offer much more excitement than any import car can offer for the same price.

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  2012 Volt in the hills and mountains of North Georgia - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By jaycro - October 16 - 4:58 am

  For years I was a big BMW fan including an M5,M3,and 740iSport.The Volt replaced a 2011 Mazda3 Touring hatchback with leather and technology package and joins a 2001 CTS wagon,an Infinity G35s and a Siverado truck We have driven the Volt 781 total miles and 749 of these have been on the battery burning 1.3 gallons of gas The body panels fit is excellent,the crystal red paint is the best factory paint I have ever owned.The interior with black leather and dark accents is attractive and very comfortable but not quite as nice as the CTS or the BMWs I have owned .The Nav,backup camera are fantastic along with the Bose system .The car drives,steers and stops like a properEuro sedan

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  Reliable, excellent gas milage! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By travelsalot - October 12 - 9:38 am

  I bought my car in 2004 with 24k miles for about $8500. When purchased, my car would get 30-32 miles per gallon highway and 28-30 mpg town. I have had my car for 7 years and now have 165k miles racked up. On average, I get 29.5-31 mpg highway and 28 mpg town. Over the years I have replaced a few things: Carpet (warranty) Ignition switch x3 (warranty) Fuel pump x1 (around 90k miles) Brakes x2 (one set front and back with rotors- have lifetime warranty on parts) Tires (set of 4) x2 Fan motor (very inexpensive through private mechanic) and belt x1 0verall, very few inexpensive mechanic bills. I am starting to burn oil, but the car exhaust does not stink.