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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  Better than the "pros" reviews let on - 2010 Chevrolet Impala
  By Chris - October 15 - 2:00 am

  Ive been a Chevy man most of my life. Never had a bad one and the 1994 Caprice Classic I traded in for this 2010 Impala 3.5L LT 1LT had 190,000 miles on it. It never gave me or my teenage son a bit of trouble, other than the usual parts starting to wear out. Son now driving my 2003 Malibu V6 with 117,000. Its called maintenance folks. My new Impala is super comfortable and the 3.5L V6 is a lot quicker than those "pros" let on (and I grew up on V8s). Ride is smooth and handling is quite good. Quiet inside. I commute 70 miles a day on some tough roads and so far the Impala appears "good to go". Mileage is 27 mpg so far. Visibility is good and the brakes appear to be well done.

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  2010 Equinox - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tim Horn - October 15 - 2:00 am

  I love MY Equinox The total drive build and the fit and finish on the vehicle was Great I get so many compliments on my Equinox and actually had one person tell me they thought it was a Mercedes-Benz when I said Chevrolet Equinox they said WOW. I can truly say I won I won I won

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  My first Chevrolet Suburban LT - 2010 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Phil - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Great on long distance traveling. During summer we drove about 600 miles comfortably over Donner Pass and the Grapevine (both ways)without stopping for gasoline or needing a break. Outside temperature ranged from 80 (Reno) to 113 degrees (Bakersfield), but inside it was about 72. Still showing 19.2 mpg with mix of city/rural driving, but I am usually light on the gas pedal except when climbing hills. Up to now I am very happy with purchase and ability to fit in lots of people and infant seats. Easy access to the 3rd row and the large cargo area for carrying weekly groceries or bulky items. I think a full sized mattress would fit with rear seat removed and 2nd row folded. XM radio

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  High quality comfortable SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Joe Chocrame - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Tahoe for 3.5 years and it has never had any problem of any kind-- Ive put 78k miles on it. This fantastic vehicle has the most comfortable 1st and 2nd row seats Ive ever seen. The third row, although it has lots of padding, does not have very much leg room, its great for children. The ride and handling are very good. One high point of this sturdy SUV is its AMAZINGLY EXCELLENT TRACTION. While other vehicles are spinning around and slipping off the road, this vehicle charges ahead with utter confidence. Good visibility is another high point.

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  Got it right - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By yobuffi4 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive. For a 3.9 L engine very responsive. I get many complements on the exterior design. I have had no service issues with the car and now have 35,000 miles on the car. I get 30 MPG on interstate. According to the computer, it has averaged 26 mpg with all driving since it was new. Very happy.

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  43 MPG @ 55 MPH - 2010 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Tiny Car/Burly Dude - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I needed a car right now and Rio was not an option. The rebate was huge on the Aveo compared to Rio. Chevrolet dealers are everywhere, Kia dealers are not. My last car was an 06 Rio and it was a lemon from day one. The Aveo gets fantastic gas mileage if you drive like I do. Im in no hurry. It holds the road good in high wind. It has the On-Star feature which can run diagnostics while you drive and give you traffic alerts with the push of a button. The hands free cell phone service of 300 minutes for a year cost 9 bucks. Car handles good, stops good, looks great, controls are easy to operate/find. Plenty of head and leg room up front. Great audio features for external gear.

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  Step up from my Sonoma - 2011 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Romin Roman - October 12 - 2:00 am

  After first 600 miles, I LOVE it... Had 95 Sonoma for 162K miles & this was logical choice to upgrade. Very glad I did. Very fun, and responsive. Many comments about how beautiful/pretty & I correct that this is a "Buff/Handsome" truck.

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  Great Truck - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By one great truck - October 12 - 2:00 am

  It has been a very reliable and powerful vehicle. It still turns more heads than a crossover. It is comfortable on long trips and has the power of a V8. The dashboard and radio could use a little updating.

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  Tire issue? - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By cindy - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love with this car. Running wonderful, no issues, however, I am beginning to question the Pirelli tires. Front right feels like its flat or I am driving on a washboard, or that it has a flat spot most pronounced in morning, dealer found nothing. Am taking it back to dealer yet again tomorrow,to keep until they fix it or replace the tire.

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  Need better paint - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By DENNIS - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I love the car. People stopper everywhere we go. The power is awesome for a stock 6 banger.So far the only problem in 4 months has been the paint. To soft or not enough coats. Chips and scratches, water spots bad.Major problem. GM should on up to this one. Other that that love the car.