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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  Equinox heaven - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jeff Snow - July 25 - 11:26 am

  I was interested in the Equinox since last year. I finally bought one. Im extemely satisfied so far. The only problem Ive encountered is backing up in the dark. Its very difficult to see out the rear. I backed into another vehicle the second day I had the Equinox because of poor visibility. Other than that, Im pleased.

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  Great Truck - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By p8md - July 25 - 8:10 am

  Overall this truck has been great! I drive 50 miles a day and have had no major problems. The 4.3L is peppy and gets 22 MPG on highway (not bad for a 6 cylinder). I have 175,000 miles on this truck, it does not burn or leak oil, and have had no problems except routine maintenence.

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  Colorado - 2016 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Janice Schauer - July 25 - 3:08 am

  Disappointed that it was not as nice as silverado. Wanted leather seats. 99% had cloth seats.

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  Kens truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Ken - July 24 - 11:40 pm

  Very tough truck in extremely tough conditions (Snow, Ice, Mud) and still with smooth ride. With longer wheelbase this truck is well balanced and apparently has good insulation because its very, very quite also. Added canopy, dual fans, dual exaust (flow master), converted to synthetic oil at 36K and sprayed bed with LineX. Now at 18MPG on HWY, 12-13 in town. Want to trade up to a Durmax but hard to give this unit up.

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  Not cracked up - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ripton - July 24 - 7:50 pm

  Seats are hard and uncomfortable. 6 point seat adjustment is not enough. Rides fair and has good pickup, but not as nice as a Saturn VUE or Buick model. Steering is slow to react, but smooth. Lots of wind noise. I dont like this car. I leased it for two years and will be glad when it goes back.

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  I like it! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By jimbo - July 24 - 6:30 am

  I have not taken my Equinox on any long trips, but I really like the driving feel and the comfort of the seats and interior. This vehicle seems to fit me like a nice glove. I have the four cylinder and drive it in Eco mode all the time and it has plenty of power to satisfy me. The only dislike for me is the tilt steering. I am continually trying to lower the steering when I get into the vehicle when it is already at the lowest setting available. Im thinking about seeing if I can modify the steering so I can lower it more. I really like the Nav and infotainment system. Its a costly option, but I think it is worth the cost. I previously owned a 2009 Malibu, but like this one better.

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  First Colorado - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Jim Wisconsin - July 23 - 11:46 pm

  For my use this truck has worked out great. Have all the bells on a Z71. Have 10k on it with no probs. Went from my 96 GMC S-15 with 200k on it. Im getting 21+ mpg on a mix of hiway/city. Not too bad compared to other makes (and it uses regular not prem. like some of the imports). The Z71 is a little tight and jiggly but it is an off road model, probably should have gone with the z85 suspension. Seats are not too short (i.e., good leg support) and with the leather option you can set it up for max comfort. Plenty of front leg room (Im 61). Good sound system.

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  Excellent Car - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Lauren - July 23 - 8:53 pm

  I have owned my Malibu for about two months now.I had wanted one for awhile and we got a good deal on it. It feels like a luxury car for a reasonable price. It has a lot of great features and I havent had any problems. Ive always had GM vehicles and I have never had a reliability problem. This includes an Oldsmobile with 240k miles on it. It has a good amount of pick up (in the v6). In summary this is a great sporty car with a good amount of space in it. It is good for someone with or without children.

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  Overall performance - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Rhonda S. - July 23 - 7:11 pm

  Overall, its been a good vehicle, but compared to the Venture (which we also had), the comfort of the Venture was far better and the interior of the Venture with its Captains chairs (minus the table as the Uplander has) was easier to access the 3rd row seating. It drives fine but already we have had problems with the air conditioning failing (pinched wires and blown fuses). Headphones with the radio/DVD system in the Venture were an easier fit for the kids.

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  Best drive in the world - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Candace Daigle - July 23 - 11:34 am

  This is my second 2007 chevy Tahoe, first bought an LS, then bought an LT3, I love all of the extra features, drives like a dream, and it is great for travel. I saved more money in car insurance this time than last. Chevy has a winner in my book!!