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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  Cant believe how much I love this little Chevy! - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By James - December 31 - 4:03 pm

  The last year was a bit of a roller-coaster in our lives, and involved selling a bunch of stuff and relocating. Kept one vehicle, sold another (a Porsche Boxster) and I leased a Chevy Cruze Premier hatchback for myself to use daily. Moved to a colder climate and didnt want/need a convertible anymore, and our fully loaded car is SO much nicer than Chevrolets of the past and is amazingly comfortable. Honestly, its easily as nice as our 2007 BMW 3-series was inside, and handles almost as well, incredibly. The car has been flawless so far, and feels incredibly solid and quiet, especially considering my expectations. Winter driving has also been beyond expectations, even though its just a front-drive car with all-season tires. Our mileage approaches 40mpg on the highway, although for city driving in cold weather its been in the low 20s. We test-drove a Cadillac ATS at the dealer with the 2.0L turbo engine, and this car could compete with a VW GTI if that engine were an option (Ive had one of those, as well)

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  Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By rc31rider - December 31 - 1:21 pm

  This has been a great car! I have put 26000 miles on it, all trouble free. Went to the dealer one time for warranty work, just a stuck ecv valve, total time at the dealership was less than 1/2 hour. Gas mileage is great, better than the EPA estimates. It would be hard to find a better car for the money. While the Cobalt is the replacement for the Cavalier, the Cobalt has nothing in common with its predecessor. Everything about the Cobalt is leaps and bounds above the Cavalier.

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  2008 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ 4x4 5.3L - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By TW - December 31 - 12:34 pm

  I traded a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche for this 2008. I put 52,000 miles on my 2003 and only had to change the tires and one light bulb. The vehicle is great and I couldnt be more satisified with the new one. I was concerned about the low height of the front valance, but so far it has not been a problem. Also, I went from cloth seats to leather and was concerned about the change. However, I cant be happier especially when I turn on the heated seats in cold weather.

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  A great ride for the buck - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Bill Towson - December 31 - 12:19 pm

  I have enjoyed driving this vehicle from the very first day, and I still enjoy driving it today. I just wish that the fuel mileage, which is not bad, would be a little closer to the new EPA fuel ratings. Buy one, You will love it.

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  Best Truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Chevy Lover - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Best truck has the 8.1 with the allison tranny. Has power and with a full load it wont bog down. All one ton and in great condition lots of miles over 216k but still runs strong, I never have a problem with the truck, I use it to pull and drive on a daily basis. The 4x4 works great too.When needing to it will turn all 4 tires without a problem. With all the normal maintenance it runs strong with no problems. I highly recommend this truck for any occasion or any reason.

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  Drivers seat uncomfortable - 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ligor Manushi - December 31 - 6:12 am

  After 4500 miles I gave the car to my niece. I started having hip pain due to the drivers seat relationship to the gas and break pedal. The break pedal needs to move 2" to the right. The seat is uncomfortable and needs another 2-3" of foam. I ended up getting a 2016 altima and the hip pain took almost two weeks to go away; the seats are so comfortable. What a difference. Yes the Malibu does drive incrementally better and has better steering feel, but its not worth the passion and discomfort. I test drive over 20 cars trying to make sure I would not end up with the issue of the break pedal to seat ergonomic nightmare of the Malibu. It was between a used 5 series with the sports package seats (the base seats are not any better than those on the Malibu) or the Altima. For some reason I found that most new cars have moved the break pedal towards the left! Huge mistake. -------------- Make sure you take a 30 minute drive in it. the front drivers seat is uncomfortable. I went from a 2013 Altima to the 2016 Malibu and i miss my Altimas seats so much. these are next to the worst front seats Ive ever experienced. almost as bad as the 1998 Geo Prizm. what a mistake. im going to lose some money to get out of it before i even even make a payment for the car. while the steering tilts and telescopes the seat location, steering location and brake pedal are not tying in to my body. i am 59" 168lbs. for 286 miles of driving and i still can not locate a seating position that is comfortable for me. the real reason is the bottom cushion which is too thin and points upwards for some reason at the edge, and they are too short. it is almost like they went for good interior materials and design, but took the money from the seats. I would trade hard plastic for good seats without a second thought.

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  I still love my pala - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By ISTILLLOVEIT! - December 31 - 12:23 am

  I bought the car from the same dealership my wife bought her 2006 Mazda 6 from. Anyway, the dealership addressed some issue about the car that I was concerned about because of safety issues (bent tie rod, back brakes and tires were bad, and carfax report still not in my hands!). I love this car, and Ive always liked them. Rides smooth and it has a good bit of power. Car was a rental car from Virginia beach (yeah I dont really like that part [bought it at 40,000 miles], but its been 3 months and [knock on wood], no problems). Ive read online of some of the problems people are having with their Impalas but Im still satisfied with my buy. Got a year warranty to boot from dealership!

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  Reliable and easy on the gas! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Denise - December 30 - 4:53 pm

  Best features on this vehichle is the reliability and the gas mileage. These were most important to me as I drive 100 miles RT to work M-F. Storage space very good, both inside the car, and the trunk. A bit noisy on the highway, and really lacks power up hills....but still overall, drives pretty good. I havent had any major problems, just bad tires, or a car that creates bad tires, dont know. The price reflects the car you are buying, just the basics! Meaning, no power anything, and just AM/FM radio, but then I just bought the car to get me from work and back, and it does that just fine. Price unbeatable.

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  American classic - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By gibson - December 30 - 3:02 pm

  I switched from a 02 Deviile to the Tahoe for more room due to an expanding family, and didnt want a minivan. Never owned a SUV much less driven one. Ill never own a car again.

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  Fun Car - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By ed - December 30 - 2:45 pm

  I traded a 2005 Cobalt for this car. In spite of the smaller size, it is more comfortable, but it doesnt have the driver information center like the cobalt. I had got used to being able to teel the fuel economey and the outside temperature. It also has a ridiculous power lock system that can only be locked with a key when one is leaving the car. The power is adequate and it is quite roomy.