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:

• 

  Use of my Tracker since new - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By RogerD - December 5 - 11:53 am

  I purchased this vehicle new for a towed vehicle behind my motorhome. It was one of few light weight vehicles that could be towed 4 down. It has only 26000 miles as of this date, and I use it almost daily. I have had no problems with it and except for some wind noise, and low horsepower, I think it is a great vehicle and plan to keep it until the wheels fall off. Thanks

• 

  Great Car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By S Gregg - December 5 - 10:46 am

  This car has been great. It is comfortable reliable and gets great gas mileage for car of its size. One thing that has not been so great. It seems to have brake repair issue. I have not done this much work on brakes for any car that I have owned.

• 

  Most Impressed - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Gene - December 5 - 12:54 am

  Everyday I become more impressed with the Tahoe. From extreme user friendly dashboard design and fascinating appearance I am more than satisfied I choose the Tahoe. Bose sound system is perfect and certainly will not make you even consider upgrading the sound quality. Power is very impressive for this 5600 lb beast. Gas mileage is 15.3 a tank. I did however get 18.5 on the highway when I went on a road trip. Overall gas mileage is fair at best considering you would assume if 15 is the lowest rating and 21 is the highest you would average in the middle. That is not true at all. She guzzles gas! Ride quality great and handling impressive when Tahoe is equipped with 20" wheels.

• 

  Bye-bye, Chev! Never again... - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Blazerhater - December 5 - 12:06 am

  Afvter the amount of issues with this vehicle - and past GMs - I will NEVER purchase another General Motors product. Right now I am replacing my third water pump. I have spent enough money at dealerships to have purchased this vehicle twice now. I have had seven things blow in the last 6 months - rear window wiper motor, water pump, ignition module, idler arm, vacuum heater, transmission, mirror console - and three oil leaks from somewhere. Always changed oil to reccomendations and always dealer serviced once per year.

• 

  Sweet ride - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By TiMmY - December 4 - 9:23 pm

  Ive only had this car for a couple months and I love it. Its fun to drive and has just the right amount of room. The only problem Ive had is bad city gas mileage.

• 

  Best Vehicle on the Planet - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Rocky II - December 4 - 3:36 pm

  I have a loaded 07 LTZ that I traded the intial 02 Z71 for. Loved the first one so much after 5 year and 92K miles, I had to have the new one. There are huge improvements to this GMT900 version in all areas including comfort, accessories, performance, handling, and fuel mileage. The new Active Fuel Mgmt system gives 16.5- 17.0 MPG City and 18.8-20.4 Hwy. It has retained most of the good things the original had with better features. Still too pricey at a $45K list.

• 

  Re-Volting Interior - Orange/Black - 2016 Chevrolet Volt
  By gorelick - December 4 - 11:58 am

  You CANNOT buy the integrated screen navigation system on the LT version! NOT available at any price. But you can get the integrated NAV with the Premier version. UNFORTUNATELY, the Premier version is only offered in two interior color options -- totally black or combined black and orange (they call it brandy but its orange -- look at the Volt website -- and that is what the dealer salesman called it "Lets face it, its really orange."). WHY would the Premier version offer only two interior color options and yet the less expensive LT version (w/ no Nav touch screen system available) offers a wide variety of interior colors in cloth or leather? The more expensive Premier version interior options are MORE restricted than the options available on the less expensive LT options -- go figure! Question 1: So what is wrong with black interior? Answer: The black interior gets really hot in summer and not everyone wants black. Question 2: Whats wrong with the black and orange interior? Answer: Look at this ridiculous color combination. Its so ridiculous that you will have a hard time finding a display model with this orange/black interior -- it appears that GM / Chevy wants to force you to get black interior by making it the only solid color option. A shame that GM thinks its fine to offer the Premier version with fewer options than those available on the stripped down LT version of the Volt.

• 

  Decent but could be better - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By olcrank - December 4 - 11:38 am

  Everything about this truck is pretty good. Nothing is falling off, it handles and drives pretty well, its good looking, just not exciting. Chevy could make a few changes and have a great truck instead of a bland truck.

• 

  Beware of Transmission Problems - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By KD - December 4 - 8:53 am

  Love the concept and versatility, but disappointed with reliability. I have had to replace the transmission at 32 months/49,000 miles (at considerable out-of-pocket expense) and continue to have problems with steering and front suspension noise.

• 

  I love it! - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By nutmega380 - December 4 - 7:42 am

  I love this car. I have driven it everywhere. It has made a trip from Mobile to Cali and from Cali to Cincinnati. I have put mass miles on this car in the two years I have owned it. I love the comfort, the power (for a 4C) and the stero is awesome! So glad I picked this car! My last new vehicle was an S- 10, and that ended up in the shop 4 times with repairs. So far this will be the first time I have had issues!