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:

• 

  Fantastic little car. GM girl for life - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Amy - August 13 - 8:14 am

  After having a baby in 2001, I was beginning to feel way too momish. I missed having a small sporty car and purchased this car new in March 2002. Loved the car from the very start, very comfortable and roomy interior ( rear-facing car seat fits easily in and out of the back seat), great handling, and quick/zippy performance from the 2.2L Ecotec engine. Unfortunately, I have a tendancy to drive my cars extremely hard and often forget about routine preventative maintenance (like oil). Oil was changed maybe 5 times. My engine siezed in April 2007 at 83K miles. I have since replaced the engine with a 2005 2.2L Ecotectand now running great. Even at 5 yrs old the interior looks almost like new.

• 

  Nice But Not For Winter - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By lupinelady99 - August 12 - 6:33 pm

  So far very few mechanical issues. Comfortable and roomy. Also is dog/cat friendly as well as child friendly. Engine is very responsive and handles mountain travel well. Biggest downfall at this time is the AWD and tire configuration off the lot for winter driving. As sold it is the worst winter driving vehicle that Ive ever owned. It slips and slides all over with the slightest bit of snow or ice. The tires provide no traction and are very easily covered and clogged up with snow. Looking into trying to improve status with better tires. Very pleased with improvements made to ABS brake system since the days of my 1993 S-10 Blazer. Much more responsive and quieter.

• 

  A good city driver - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By cav_rider666 - August 12 - 1:26 pm

  The Cavalier may not be the most exiting compact sedan out there but its definitely worth taking a closer look at this value filled sedan. The 2.2L OHV engine design offers acceptable power, great fuel economy and offers one of the best automatic transmissions in its class. The Cavaliers timeless yet elegant lines make it pleasant to look at and its poor resell value makes it a great used buy. The interior is roomy, somewhat comfortable on long trips and offers ample cargo and storage space while still being able to comfortably accomodate 5 adults.

• 

  180,000 miles with no effort - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By David Doering - August 12 - 10:35 am

  For the money this has been a great car. I have never been stuck on the road. Have had it towed from the house twice for serpentine belt issues, but that is great for the way I have taken care of it. The original brakes and rotors were horrible as has been well documented with this car, but cheap replacements have done well for many miles. I am starting to have rust near the gas cover. I have seen this on two other Malibus as well. Overall, I have been extremely pleased with the value of this car.

• 

  Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By toydriver - August 11 - 9:52 pm

  Ive wanted a Vette since I first saw the 63 StingRay. Purchased my first a C6 VictoryRed/Black coupe with auto6sp paddle shift, to replace a Honda S2000 convertible. The t-top was a wise choice for me, allowing the convertible experience while still allowing a quiet coupe ride and practical storage under the hatch. The 400 hp engine and 6sp paddle tranny gives plenty of power and sporty driving experience. It doesnt corner like a smaller roadster, but is a much better all around vehicle. Can store plenty of golf equipment and weekend luggage in the back, even with the t- top stowed. I find the stereo, a/c, basic seats and basic suspension to provide a very comfortable experience.

• 

  Sort of fun, sort of a lemon - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Shannon - August 11 - 8:32 pm

  We had sort of a rough start with our Venture. The CD player, VCR, and airpump all went out in the first month. In the 7 years we have had it, weve put in a new master cylinder, new front tie ends on both wheels, something new in the transmission, and now the computer chip in one of the new tie ends has gone and so the abs system and traction control dont work. I would definitly get an extended warranty with this car. Other than that it has been really great for family trips. Very comfortable to ride in and good amenities

• 

  6 cylinder AWD 2LT - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By 1307ztluts - August 11 - 8:03 pm

  I love my new Nox, only had it for 5 weeks and put about 1000 miles on but has been wonderful during the winter months with all the snow we have had here in Iowa. I have never had an AWD before and it has a different feel to it then the FWD and of course lower GPM but so far has been worth it. Love the quality of the interior. My last vehicle was a Mazda CX7 and that thing was definitely lacking in quality! Also love the bluetooth feature in the car with my phone, I always missed cell phone calls when I was driving because I had my radio too loud, now it just cuts out the radio when it rings and I dont have to dig for it in my purse!

• 

  Great Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By wade - August 11 - 7:13 pm

  Well my wife likes driving my Chevy Truck more than her 07 Saturn Vue. The comfort level is remarkable, were as you know that you are diving a truck, after 2 or 3 hundred miles you dont feel beat up from the drive. Its a Truck that drives like a car. I test drove Ford trucks #1 because they cost less and felt like I had been driving a truck after just a short time.

• 

  Love this vehicle! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By stacey - August 11 - 7:03 pm

  I drive this vehicle 60+ miles daily highway back and forth to work - love the ride and reliability ! I feel very safe in this vehicle - handled excellent in Buffalo snow : )

• 

  You get what you pay for - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By darasdad - August 11 - 1:46 am

  My truck has the V6, limited slip differential, A/C, and cruise, and the sticker was $19000. The V6 is a dog. When I use the cruise at interstate speeds, the engine will speed up to 4500 rpm on even a small hill. This is excessive and unacceptable. However, I was told by the dealer that is the nature of the V6. The warning dinger is terribly loud. My limited slip differential/transmission is clunky. The windshield wipers dont come up very far for servicing, and the radio antenna is in the way when needing to scrape frost from the windshield. The cup holders placement on the floor is horrible, and everything else is quite mediochre. I guess I got what I paid for, and that is a $19k truck.