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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  Best Silverado yet! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jd - December 13 - 4:10 am

  Recently purchased 1LT Ext Cab. This truck drives like a Cadillac! Great ride, absolutely blows away new Toyota Tundra! Even with small V8 good accelaration, and sounds great. 100K powertrain great selling point, standard OnStar, new black tie audio radio even in 1LT sounds good and great display on stored radio stations! Would highly recommend to anyone!

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  Equinox not what it seems - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Joe of Buffalo - December 12 - 9:26 pm

  At first we thought we had a winner, but after driving it for a while we found it not what it was cracked up to be. My son plays hockey. Hes a goalie and there is not room for his equipment. The seats on trips, long and short, feel like benches at a hockey game. The controls are confusing. When we recieved the car, parts of the car in the interior were loose. There were stains all in the car, probably the dealerss fault. We wish we had purchased another vehicle!!

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  Nice , but has quality issues - 2016 Chevrolet Volt
  By M.Griffith - December 12 - 9:10 pm

  Likes-I like driving my car. Its pretty quiet inside except on freeways. Gas Engine is quiet. Dislikes- Interior door panels creak from touch, heat, road bumps. When driving on rough road they vibrate and rattle . Had to take to dealer to fix leaking coolant. Also, hose from reservoir is routed against a sharp edge on the tranaxle, which cuts into the hose. I notified CHEVY about the defect, no response. For now I wrapped with foam and duct tape.Also, there is a slight coolant smell coming from the coolant reservoir after driving.Its not leaking, but the smell sometimes goes into the fresh air intake which is located right next to the coolant reservoir. Poor design. Also some pulsing when accelerating using gas engine. There is a software update but chevy wont allow the update on cars that have been sold. So we are stuck with this issue on 2016 models. Overall, i like my car, but it does have issues with design,fit and finish, quality. .

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  Buy This Car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Frank - December 12 - 9:03 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned. I traded in a 2001 Malibu, which I thought was great. This car is light years ahead of the 2001 I had. Unbeliveably, the bigger engine is giving much better mileage than I got on the 2001. The 2001 delivered 26 mpg and so far the 2005 (according to the onboard computer)is giving me 29.7 mpg. That is from day one till now, 1,100 miles later. Ive had the car 6 weeks now and it just keeps getting better and better.

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  Great price for a good car - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By wanabevega - December 12 - 4:48 pm

  I have a new apreation for econo cars after buying this exceptional example of Chevrolets restyled import. Well worth the price. While true, i had more than my share of problems from the start. First a cracked windshild three days after I drove it off the lot (replaced), then a headlamp fogged up from holding moisture(replaced), lose brake caliper(repaired),rear view mirror mount fell off(replaced), oil pump started leaking after 15K (replaced),squeeking swaybar bushings after 25K(replaced), clunking front suspension(still an isue). After all this you might think i would be bitter, but I just love driving this car! I like the looks i like the handling and I love the MPG at 32/39.

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  Test Drove 2008 - Bought 2007 - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Winston - December 12 - 3:35 pm

  Traded in 2004 Z71 Tahoe. Test drove 2008 LTZ, but with 0% financing and on- lot availability, bought 2007 LS with the few options we really wanted. Really liked both - ride is great, impressive interior room. Mileage is better than the old Tahoe and better than the 15-20 rating (getting about 17 around town and around 21 highway). And, it looks great. It adjusts great for both my 51" wife and my 61" frame. Have already used it to haul 8 lumber, 12 trim, and new oak doors - love the mid-gate. Even my Mother (who has always hated trucks as "the good car") has told my Dad that he could buy an Avalanche to replace their Buick next year.

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  Very Unhappy - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By wapiti - December 12 - 1:32 pm

  This is my 4th Tahoe & I loved all of them until this one. I liked the look of the car, 2nd row captains chairs, the DVD player. Then after I started driving it I noticed a loud noise from the drivers window, sounds like the window is open. What kind of carpet did they use where you can hardly vacuum dog hair off of it? Last winter my rear hatch would not open automatically in cold temps. Found my battery dead twice, took the car into the dealer, was told there is computer problem with this car. Hopefully that is fixed. My coolant level is always low, but dealer says there is no problem. Had door molding fixed, but it keeps separating. Now my wipers dont properly work. My last Tahoe?

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  Leaves you stranded! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Notworthit - December 12 - 1:23 pm

  Bought this car new off the lot for my son. If you want it to last more than 70k, then dont get it. Has left him stranded from work, school, and home 5 times. Crank Shaft sensor at 60k, Radiator problems at 65k, engine blew at 70k, and transmission shifting problems at 71k. Not worth the headache for an "American car" that has parts from Korea. Should have purchased a honda/toyota but unfortunately they didnt offer smaller cars back in 04. Never will I buy an American car again, completely unreliable and of course it all happens after the warrenty runs out. Bought new for $14,200 and have put in $3000 in repairs in the last 3 years! Thats not normal!

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  JUVENTUS - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By PETER MAGRO - December 11 - 11:03 pm

  NICE SUV. GREAT TRANSMISSION. PLENTY ON LEG ROOM. GOOD STEREO SYSTEM

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  What a way to build a vehicle ! - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Chip - December 11 - 7:48 pm

  I have had this vehicle since new and only had a couple of problems. The I- Shaft for the steering (GM knows of this problem and repaired it), 2 master cylinders (covered under extended warranty). Drives rock solid, in snow, water, dry pavement. Pulls boat trailer and race trailer with little problem. Bigger motor would have been better choice and a Duramax Diesel would be better.