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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  Ex-EXPLORER owner now has Trail Blazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Ro - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle drives very smoothly. There definitely is a blind spot when backing up and looking back to your left...very difficult to see out...must use mirrors for backing. Back seating is comfortable.

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  cruze td (totaly doomed) - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By h127x - February 21 - 3:31 pm

  I have owned my 14 cruze td for 16 months now. I have had numerous nox sensors and 02 sensors replaced. I have had the diesel particulate filter replaced also. on average the car has been in my dealer shop about every 3 months since having owned it. I often wonder how many other owners have had the same sensors replaced as often as myself. I like the car but with they would just fix the issues permanently. As of 9/22/16 I have contacted general motors and my dealership about buy back assistance or replacement neither have offered an acceptable offer. I strongly urge others to stay clear of this lemon. its general motors diesel fiasco again just like the 80S

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Homertime - February 16 - 2:00 am

  My 2003 Trailblazer has treated me very well. Nearing 20,000 in just over a year I have had some warranty related problems - no more then 3 - with SOME hastle at the dealer. Ride is smooth and comfortable. Handling is also excellent, and I have yet to get stuck in any road hazard. Highly suggested for any mid-sized SUV customer. You will not be disappointed.

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  peice of junk - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By peice of Junk - February 15 - 7:00 am

  I have owned my new 2ss camaro for 30 days it has spent about 10 days in the shop and is back for another visit. I love the looks and performance when it runs. I’m already having major transmission trouble and GM (The New GM) is as bad as ever when it comes to costumer service. I had a issue once with a Toyota 4- runner and they let me go and get another 4-runner and did not charge me a dime. I wish Toyota had a car that look like the Camaro because I know it would have been built right.

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  review - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Barry Ferguson - February 15 - 2:23 am

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  trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By spencer - February 14 - 10:00 am

  plenty of pep get up and go comfortable ride. 14 mpg in town.gm could jazz up interior. happy with purchase.

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  Great Sporty Car with Lots of Power - 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Elizabeth - February 13 - 7:53 am

  This is a great sporty car with lots of power. I really loved driving it for a long time. Unfortunately, once it started have severe mechanical problems (about 2 years ago) it started going downhill fast.

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  Nice, but... - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By ScottWPS - February 12 - 10:30 am

  Coming from F250 4dr diesel, I cried. Owned 3 wks now, avg 800mi/wk. Still miss truck! Likes; 27mpg avg, rides tall/nice, XM radio, AC can cool 3bdrm house, remote start, chrome pkg, good space for its size, mid-life-criss-red, cool looks. Dislikes; 2.2L slow (b careful pulling into traffic), tan interior dirties easily, drop on-star(?), 6 tall-rt leg cramps-seat wont go back far enough, MGP counter .2 to 1mi/gal optimistic vs actual calc. Totally useless; armrests block rr cupholder, at nite-interior lights in rearview mirror useless & sunvisor completly useless when pulled toward the dr side window! Needs sm diesel opt. After 17.5mpg in that big F250 want only diesel engines-(pwr + mpg!)

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  Good SUV but needs better gas milage - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Glenn - February 11 - 9:56 am

  For me, the seating is one of the best features. I have two artifical knees and one hip, so getting in and out is important to me. This car is one of the easiest ones to sit in we have had. Also being a snow bird that travels back and forth to Florida a couple times a year, a little larger gas tank would be desirable.

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  Tiny buttons - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Darryl - February 7 - 9:03 pm

  Overall, Im mostly satisfied with my new Silverado. Its my third one. My 2010 had one item I see as a design flaw, the buttons on the AC/Heater are very small and you have to really look at what you are doing to operate it while driving.