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:

• 

  problem s - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By puppet - February 15 - 8:34 am

  The front of the car is to low and everytime I go over a bump-it scraps under the bottom of the car. I recently are have problems with transmission fuel leaking and the steering shaft is making noises. Also, I dont have any heat on the drivers side.

• 

  beautiful car - 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
  By kimmy - February 15 - 5:15 am

  I just bought a camaro 2 days ago. I LOVE IT. The car is sooo pretty and the ride is absolutely not noisy, I really dont know what that person is talking about. It handles so well on the road and turns. Voted Best car for handling. The only thing that does make me a little nervous, the drivers side does have a blind spot. You just have to be very careful and know your surroundings at all times. Get the car. You will Absolutely love it. I Do, so happy my husband got it for me.

• 

  Great car - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By HC - February 14 - 8:08 pm

  I have owned my 2001 Prizm for almost four months and all I can say is it has been a great car so far. I drive it every day, 20 miles to school, about the same to work, 7 days a week and it has been very reliable. The fuel economy is the best. I also love the 5 speed manual transmission in mine. It maneuvers nicely and is just the right size for a single college student girl IMO. I recently totaled my Prizm, but bought it back because I love it. I have to say that the quality of the manufacturing is excellent. My prizm was rammed into the side by a mini van and the only damage was cosmetic. Neither frame nor engine were affected at all. The car keeps on ticking! Great car IMO!

• 

  Great car to own - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Roger - February 14 - 12:59 pm

  With out doubt, the best performance bang for the buck. Unbelievable fuel mileage from a 400 HP engine. Drove it up to Utah from So Cal, averaged 30.5 MPG over 1750 miles! No problems yet. Car is great as a daily driver, gets compliments were ever you take it. Also surprisingly easy to insure.

• 

  Value for your money - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Hcope - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Execllent vehicle, my previous vehicle was a 1997 Cavalier. Oil changes and replacement of a airconditioner compressor at 110,00 is all I spent on this car over the 6+ years I owned this car. I would like to see Toyota or Honda match that.

• 

  The Real Deal about the Trailblazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By bigsleep80 - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Just under 1000 miles on my TB. The gas mileage is horrible if youre talking about ALL vehicles. If youre talking about SUVs then its pretty good. Everyone seems to trash the interior. Its not the best out there but, far from the worst. The one complaint ive agreed with is the cornering. But once again if youre talking about all vehicles then it doesnt handle corners that well. But its a SUV (did you really think you can go flying around a corner at 60 mph?) Overall, I love my TB (keep in mind im only approaching 1000 miles.) I plan on writing a follow-up at 6 months.

• 

  Chevy #2 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mauldinj - February 14 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Chevy truck and I absolutely love it. I only traded in the first because it was a lease. Came home with another Silverado and am extremely happy once more. I have fun driving a truck and I feel safe at the same time. Cant see myself owning anything but a Chevy truck. :)

• 

  Best crossover out there - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By texaspony - February 14 - 9:53 am

  This is a totally under-rated and ignored crossover. Easily the best vehicle I have ever owned. Versatility unmatched by any other competing small SUV. The Edmunds review of the Equinox is more favorable than most. The highest praise I can give is that very soon our 07 LT will be joined in the garage by an 08 Sport.

• 

  2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Todd - February 14 - 9:29 am

  We purchased the Tahoe for my wife but I like it so much that I rarely drive my own SUV. Drives great for such a large vehicle . However, I dont recommend exceeding the speed limit by much on sweeping mountain turns - I always feel on the edge of falling off the mountain. Other than a recurring clunk in the steering column (no effect on performance) the build quality has been excellent. If you have leather the heated seats are a must in cold weather.

• 

  My Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By D Kerlin - February 14 - 3:46 am

  The car has been very reliable on long trips and around town. We have experienced great gas mileage (34) on the highway and have been very satisfied with the ride. The interior is very well designed and all controls are placed well for the driver.