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:

• 

  From a very satisfied purchaser - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Aveo LS - August 14 - 4:23 am

  I purchased my Aveo in Sept 2007 when I traded in my 2005 Cobolt. Have driven 11,00+ miles in all road conditions, weather conditions, both highway and city. I couldnt be more pleased with the way it handles, reliability, gas mileage and appearance. I have received numerous compliments on it. I cant understand why I dont see more of them on the road and why they are advertised very little. I would recommend this car to anybody and in fact have done so.

• 

  Impala SS CD player blues - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Kevin Rickard - August 14 - 1:03 am

  I love my new Impala. Fun to drive, delivers everything I wanted. Only problem I have had is the CD player. The first time I tried to put one in it would not let me. Had to take it back to the shop for them to verify the failuer and back again to have the whole radio replaced. New unit works great but I think they should add a CD check to their final inspection routine. Otherwise, thanks Chevrolet for a great car.

• 

  Great American Car - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By E85 Guy - August 13 - 9:09 pm

  This is literally the first American-made car that I have ever owned to hit 100,000 miles without any transmission or engine failures. Previously, my Ford Deathstars engine blew at 74,000 miles, and I became a Chevy fan. I feel confident in driving this car, confident in the quality and reliability.

• 

  fast, fast fast - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Clarence Osborne - August 13 - 9:06 pm

  Great acceleration. Poor handling in cold, wet weather. Fun to drive.

• 

  Should have known better - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Mike - August 13 - 7:22 pm

  Should have known better than to buy another Malibu after having problems with an 01 model. With the exception of the steering column recall, this car seemed very good until about 3 years in. CD changer doesnt work. Interior shotty. Power steering started acting up, numerous squeaks. Then the starting began sticking, and the ignition in the dash had to be replaced at a cost of over $500. Finally traded the thing when the entire electrical system went haywire and blew the turn signals. Chevy makes good trucks why cant they make a car? I will never own another GM car.

• 

  Great value for world class quality - 2017 Chevrolet Spark
  By Robert - August 13 - 6:50 pm

  I rented one in 2015 and thought if i ever buy a car in its class it would be a Spark. Fast forward to 2017 I bought a loaded Shark (less simulated leather and sunroof), black on black and the quality reminded me of my 2001 Mercedes Compressor for interior design and overall quality. It was sticker priced at 17.5K and bought it at 15.5k approximately. By the time I drove it home it had surpassed my expectations and everyone who sees and drives in it falls in love. And with 38/40 MPG highway what is not to love. Why it even came pinstriped in light grey! On a 1 to 10 scale I give the Chevy Spark a 10. GM is truly back !

• 

  Sport Coupe = Awesome - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Paul - August 13 - 4:53 pm

  I have owned my Cavalier for about one year now. The only maitenance issue I have had is a broken clutch master cylinder. Other than that this car has been great. Also, it averages about 30 mpg (and thats mostly city driving). The 2.2L Ecotec coupled with the 5-Speed transmission makes driving this car a blast!

• 

  Amazing Choice! - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Amazing Choice - August 13 - 12:58 pm

  I bought this car 5-6 months ago. The value of the vehicle has since increased and that never happens. With the manual I get on the highway with authority.(left in third gear) I have not had a problem yet and have no regrets for my purchase. I consistantly get 38+ highway mileage, so I am not sure why its EPA is so low! I am not a slow highway driver, so people should be able to get better. Also the vehicle is very roomy in comparison to what I thought a compact would be. When I did a "years to pay back" analysis on this car today I will make my money back in gas savings in just 5 years! Finally a vehicle that actually makes sense financially.

• 

  Average car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By GSA - August 13 - 11:36 am

  I was attracted to this car by the advertised fuel economy (32 highway), the exterior looks, and roomy trunk. I am very dissappointed in the fuel economy & performance. In reality it averages about 26-27 MPG on the highway. Also I find that the car is not very responsive & often I am flooring it to get enough pickup to pass on the highway. And worst of all, I am thinking of replacing it soon and it has lost mot of its value. In fairness to the car, it has been very reliable and I feel it is built solid but it is not very fun to drive and I wouldnt recomend it to anyone who is looking for something more sporty.

• 

  Happy - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By DOT FREY - August 13 - 8:40 am

  I have been very satisfied with my Colorado except the service departments bloopers. They created more problems than the truck would normally of had. It has needed work but I would not trade it for any other. I get an average of 26.9 to 28.6 mpg. I guess it depends on how you drive. I do a lot of hauling with it and have pulled my 10 trailer with no problems. Going up hills, it has more power than expected and here is West Virginia that is inportant for all we have are hills. I would recomend the Colorado to anyone as a small economy truck. the tires stink and were dry rotted so be careful but they gave me new ones after 15,000 miles.