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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  Regretful Purchase - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By SandraDee - May 2 - 11:39 pm

  I have owned this vehicle for 5 years now & cannot wait to get rid of it. There is absolutely no pep to the car very sluggish. If you happen to hit a bump in the road the vehicle actually jumps. The ride is rough and the vehicle will only go into 4wd when the car is at a complete stop which can be very inconvient. Drivers side window has squeeked ear splitting since almost day one. Brought it in to the dealer stopped squeeking for about 6 mths & then came back. Back door on drivers side will not open. Lock will not pull up for nothing. Windows fog up continuously in the winter so defrost has to stay on.

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  Think twice before buying - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Ambivalent Trailblzr - May 2 - 6:21 pm

  My wife always wanted one so when they were cheap in 2005, I finally agreed, even though I knew deep down it would be a mistake to buy another truck. It drinks up gas like theres no tomorrow. Resale value is poor. Other than that, it looks nice, it drives nice, it has plenty of power, lots of cargo space with seats down. Its good at what it does. Weve had problems with steering - fixed under warranty. I wish we leased it rather than bought it so we could be done with it. 12-13 mpg around town on a really good day. 10-11 is typical. On the hwy 18-20. We had a 95 Suburban that got the same mileage. Think twice before you buy!

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  Fun Family Car - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Kelly S - May 2 - 6:01 pm

  Bought it as a demo. Love the car, hate the minor problems. Sunroof vibrates, been "fixed" 2x, needs to go in again, tire problem no one can seem to fix, drivers door came out of alignment, more squeaks and rattles than youd every expect, "clunking" in the font end was a problem with a steering shaft-same problem we had with an 04 LS. We had leased the 04 LS and liked it and test drove the SS at the end of our lease and fell in love, decided to buy. The kids love when mom burns the tires asking my husband to run errands is never a problem. This car is fun, quick, & sharp looking- but hoping to sell/trade it b4 the warranty runs out. GM can do better. Our brand loyalty is running out.

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  Best SUV and a low cost to operate - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Tom the salesman - May 2 - 4:58 pm

  My Suburban was purchased used in 2001. The car had 18,000 miles when purchased. I use this car for work since the day I purchsed it. My average gas millage is a poor 16mpg but concidering the low maintenance cost to operate I feel Like I get 40mpg. The car has 428,000 miles and rides like a new car. Here is a list of my repairs. 160K first tune up done by myself. 210k & 400k a fuel pump gave out (850.00 ea. installed). At 250K the Air conditioner was replaced. At 340,000 I replace engine with a used 60K mile engine installed for 1,200.00. At 360K trans died (800.00 used and installed) Replaced back shocks and at 400,000 replaced rear rodors and pads, front rotor is original.

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  Impala LTZ2 - 2016 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dave Wakefield - May 2 - 3:48 am

  I have owned 2007 Impala LTZ and before that 2000 Impala. I love the car so I keep getting a newer version. I am a Chevy guy and think its as good as it gets with the Impala LTZ.

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  I love this small car! - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob - May 1 - 7:31 pm

  Have owned about 6 months, 6000+ miles. Was impressed when I bought and even more so now. Fit and finish inside and out is still excellent. No new noise or vibrations. Still tight and solid. I am 6 ft 1 in tall weigh 265 lbs. I am very comfortable. The ride is super for such a small cheap (cost not build) car. Was getting 39 to 41 mpg driving very conservitive. Tried driving more agressive and still got 37 mpg. This is with some city more country driving with stops. No highway. Based only on my experence it is the best small car I have ever owned. Have had Toyota, Honda, Ford, Mazda. Am 52 years old. Had a lot of cars. I hope everyone finds a car they like as much as I do this one.

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  A much under rated car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Kelly C. Johnson - May 1 - 7:00 pm

  I am a car enthusiast who wanted a car that was low in price but would be fun to drive .This car has more than exceeded expectations The car we bought is bright blue , has manual tranny , roll up windows , six speaker upgraded CD radio , optional 15 inch aluminum wheels. Upgrades after purchase include hood protector, custom side moulding, LED tail light bulbs. A local performance shop fabricated a straight thru flowmaster muffler and pipe that bolted onto the original exhaust to give car a bit of a growl and more get up and go. My wife refers to the Aveo as a Flintstones Pedal Car" because it is so small and unadorned with frills. I just love it , best car I have ever owned.

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  Sweet Ride - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jeff - May 1 - 12:15 pm

  I have wanted a Corvette for along time now but never pulled the trigger. I bought an 08 Crystal Red 3LT. Magnetice ride a must if you live in the Northeast because of pot holes with The performance exhaust(this is a must option with the mild to wild remote,repeat a must option) This exhaust note is incredible but my neighbors are not liking it at night. and I got zo6 replica chrome wheels and red painted calipers. in a little over a month I have put 900 miles on it because I always want to drive it.

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  Awesome - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By JIM PETRUCCI - May 1 - 11:46 am

  Anyone who grew up in the 60s and 70s remembers the throaty sound of factory hotrods, well guess what, its back. Aside from a great ride, the handling, power and sheer fun is back in this car. It seems that GM has learned from the NASCAR experience. Slight torque steer doesnt take away from this gems muscle car heritage. This car starts to really cook after 80 mph. displacement on demand is seamless and makes the gas mileage great for a car with 300+ hp. Im averaging 20.6 with only 1000 miles on the car it can only get better as the motor breaks in. The aerodynamics of the bodystyle add to the eye appeal. This car touches all 6 senses at the same time.

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  Good Truck - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By good truck - May 1 - 6:46 am

  Good SUV. Not too big, not too small. The EXT has room for my family of 5 and our stuff. Fold down seats leave plenty of space to haul things. The 4.2L engine is great. Lots of power. Have had lots of brake problems, and what I suspect may be a transmission problem at around 60,000. The LT package is great.