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:

• 

  Disappointed - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gman - August 4 - 9:57 pm

  Bought the car new. I dont put many miles on it, so Im especially disappointed. Thought it rode nice at first, but not so much now. The car has ample power. No problems with the drivetrain. Brakes are terrible, and the steering shaft clunking (apparently a common problem) has me really hating this car. Rotors are so warped. Rear rotors are so grooved and rusty, they must barely be working.

• 

  08 Cobalt LT Sedan - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By J - August 4 - 9:50 pm

  I own a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan. I like the car for the most part, one thing that worries me is the brakes stink. When the car had just over 4000 miles on it I began to notice really odd noises when braking, took it in they said it was the hubcap. It did it on the drive home. Took it in again at 4500 miles and got new brake pads put on they said they must be factory defects. Well it started again at 5500 miles then just the other I day I hit the brakes on the highway and they immediately locked up. I like the car but the brake problems worry me a little bit, I had a Chevy Malibu prior to this and never had a problem with the brakes ever.

• 

  Like a Rock - Again - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By filmwritin - August 4 - 9:44 pm

  Chevy is back on top of the light truck market. The 2014 Silverado 1500 truly rocks. While the sheet metal is only a tad different than the 2013, the interior is a quantum leap forward and the power plants truly advanced. I have owned Ford, Dodge, and Toyota pickups, but never a Chevy. Being back in the market, I drove them all. The Chevy sold me first turn of the key. I ended up with a highly optioned Crew Cab Z71 4WD LTZ. The sticker was healthy, but well worth it. Its a thrill every time I get behind the wheel. Ive heard the term "Cowboy Cadillac" before, now I know what it means. Chevys marketing agency needs to revive the old "Like a Rock" ads. They fit this ride.

• 

  Pretty Happy Guy - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By BigJoeSan - August 4 - 8:11 pm

  Just got my 2008 Equinox Sport. Im liking it more and more. Fun to drive. The map pocket is a little uncomfortible against my right leg. It handles great on the road.

• 

  Nothing but problems - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Lana & Jack Rowland - August 4 - 4:26 pm

  I got the truck used and since the day I got it nothing but problems. The first thing was the transmission and a shutting off problem. I cant drive it on trips because when the temp is high the truck shuts off. It will start again but then shuts off again. So I beleave that this truck is a piece of junk. Unless you have a lot of money to put in to it which I dont.

• 

  Drive till its dead - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Scott - August 4 - 3:24 pm

  Being military we drive these vehicles as police patrol cars. So I know first hand these cars can take a beating because we drive them 24/7, 20- 25K miles ayear. When I had the opprotunity I brought an Impala. I try to tune up all my used cars as soon as I get them, but had no chance. So after two weeks, one of the plug wires went out so I had the whole set replaced (plus sparkplugs). She runs great now, lots of leg room, put 18 inch rims and tires on. Went on a 9 hour driving trip, solid car inside and out, looks great. I had a 03 525I and drove it to Southern Bavria, wish I had this car instead, my lower back would have appreciated it.

• 

  vibration - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mrchevy2014 - August 4 - 3:00 pm

  Love the truck hate the ride. I have had this truck for 3 weeks and it has been back to the dealer 4 times. After the last time the tech road with me and told me what the issue was right from the start and said I needed to call GM. I did and have not heard from dealer yet. If issue does not get fixed Lemon law will be issued. Truck came with 18inc wheels and good year tires. The tech says if GM puts 20inc wheels and some better tires on the ride should be better. After paying 40k for new truck it should ride good enough to take on long trips with the family.

• 

  **GREAT VALUE** - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Denisenjeff - August 3 - 4:26 pm

  We just bought the 2005 Aveo with AC and got it for $8397.00, it was a fantastic deal. Best warranty out of all Chevy vehicles (that was a plus) We commute 100 miles RT to work and back and needed something CHEAP all around! CHEAP on fuel consumption and cheap to buy! Very good value for this car for sure.

• 

  Frist all wheel drive and I love it! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jerry FRaserr - August 3 - 4:23 pm

  My wife and took delievery on it about 26 Jan 2005. We love the drive of it, the 5 speed automatic. The mileage is excellent for a new car (20mpg in city) havent been on the road with it as yet. We like the side airbags, the XM radio, and the folding rear seats. And the V6 is like the one I had in the pickup that I traded in on it. Easy to drive, power steering is very good. The ride is super excellent! It does take a little getting used to how to use some of the controls but other than SUPER!

• 

  Chevy 06 SS - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By TK - August 3 - 12:46 am

  Great car. Black on Black. I get questions and comments about it all the time. It is fun to drive with excellent acceleration when you want it! I get about 20 MPG.