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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  2008 50th Anniversary Impala - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By kkldmurphy - February 10 - 12:30 am

  So far, so good with our new Impala. I was able to take advantage of the last day GM offered a $2,500 rebate which, after negotiating using Edmunds TMV pricing report, provided a very satisfying purchase price. The black granite metallic paint and 18-inch wheels give the exterior an attractive, masculine look. The front interior is very nice. I like the brushed metallic dash a bit better than the faux wood offered on the base model. Rear seat leg room is cramped if the front seats are all the way back. Performance is what I expected from the 3.5 V6. All in all a very nice looking car that I hope to enjoy for many years.

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  RELIABLE, SAFE, GOOD VALUE - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By george yaki - February 9 - 5:21 pm

  This car was designed well. It has nicer looks than the Taurus and handles better. There is good acceleration from a stop. I have 85,000 miles on it. I have had to replace the brakes, oil, and water pump. It alweays starts without a hitch.

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  Reliable ride - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Sam - February 4 - 8:30 pm

  156,000 miles of towing, hauling, and mountain driving as a contractor and hunter the only problems Ive had are the wheel bearings and prndl switch needed to be replaced. As comfortable as long distance driving in an HD pickup is really gonna get. Interior layout is well thought out but materials are slightly cheap. Leveled out with 33" mud tires I still get about 16 mpg in town and 20 mpg on the highway. With a heavy job trailer it doesnt pull quite as strongly as I would like but I dont think anything ever will. Off road capability is as good as it needs to be.

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  Great truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Jerrygee - February 3 - 2:00 am

  Almost 500 cubic inches and the 5 speed Allison automatic transmission makes for plenty of towing and hill climbing power. Gas mileage is better then what you would expect at 12+ MPG on the highway when not towing, but watch the mileage plummet when pulling a load. Reliability has been perfect at 11 months and 17,000+ miles of ownership. Interior is spacious, rattle free and quite. Ride is a little harsh, but don’t forget, it is a truck! My only complaint is the Allison transmission does “spaz out” every now and then and gives me strange downshifts when coming to a stop or “clunks” when first going into drive in the morning.

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  My first brand new car - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Judy - February 2 - 6:44 am

  I bought this car new I have taken good care of it ,it is ok driving local , but a long trip not so comfortable. I LOVE MY CAR What I love most the mileage l love the style the 2008 in my opinion is the best looking.

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  Slippage! But no clunk - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TahoeTeen - January 31 - 12:27 am

  My parents bought this Tahoe brand new and we havent had any problems..but about 2 months ago when we took a sharp turn the wheel would slip...felt like it just quit turning then it would come back...but that is our only..problem in fact in Febuary or so we are gettin another Tahoe or suburban...great vehicle to learn in...

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  Greatest truck ever but ! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By DR Fleming - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Acually purchased July5,2001. I love this truck and am fixing to buy another one. Only one major problem. I use truck off road a lot where there are no roads. When I first got I had trouble with the plastic coating on the front bumper. Ever time I touched something or pushed over a small bush or tree the bumper split . Chevolet would not repair or give me a solution to the )I immediately designed a 2-inch tube for a "bush pusher" to be mounted in front of this plastic bumper. It cost me about $5.00 for material, 15 minutes labor and my company epoxy power coated it.

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  Value of the Century - SUV Killer! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By skibumaxx - January 21 - 6:36 am

  It holds a ton of stuff and has amazing room in the back. I love the power, but the in- town mileage is not so hot. Highway mileage is outstanding for its size and capacity. I have tinted windows and they are a must or this car would be an oven in the summer. You can tell that the body is very stiff, by the way you can hear a bump more than you feel it. We looked at small SUVs but this is a far better choice. Im not crazy about the front styling but the side and rear views are unique and attractive. With 2 small kids and a big dog, its just right!

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  Initial observations - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Sparky - January 19 - 10:16 am

  I traded in a Mercedes convertible, opting for an inexpensive, practical SUV. I studied Edmunds articles for two months and investigated several vehicles. In the end, the Equinox seemed the best value. The low price, warranty, hi-tech features on the LT1 model with the PDD option, and design won us over. On every count, the Edmunds review was accurate. The steering does have a video game feel, and some of the interior materials are not of the highest quality. Still, our initial impression and experiences have been very favorable. It drives well, and it is very user-friendly. Our last two purchases were the Mercedes and a BMW. The personnel at the Chevy dealership were as professional...

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  No Regrets - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By B Saunders - January 17 - 10:00 am

  This Trailblazer XLT replaced my Ford Exposition. More power and better fuel mileage is a plus. Also has more cargo room behind third row seats. Have taken several long road trips (600 miles plus) and the ride was nice and more comfortable than my Exposition. I have also towed over 4,500 lb with no trouble and plenty of power to spare.