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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  Noise in rear? - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By MARIAH - June 15 - 1:08 am

  I like my 09 traverse, but am confounded by a noise in the left rear. I have had it back to the dealer 3 times and they claim it is a suspension noise and not a problem. Im not convinced. Has anyone else experienced this noise? It is a Rather loud thump. Also the drivers seat lumbar control is no longer working. Taking it in for that and the washer heater recall.

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  Like it a lot! - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jojodancer - June 12 - 3:17 pm

  Interior could use some spicing up, it handles very well, kinda BAD on gas averaging 19.5 mpg (city & highway)but I guess that comes with those SS badges. Very fun to drive! Did have some issues with the intake manifold gaskets, be sure to have them checked out b4 purchase or be SURE to get an extended warranty that covers gaskets and other small inside of the engine parts.

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  White one - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By landiran - June 10 - 5:26 pm

  I got a 99 suburban ls White. I got it in 06 with 120,000 miles. At first I hated this truck, it was in the shop often. So far intake gasket, 2 fuel pumps, water pump, fuel injection system, and brakes both rear and front. I just thought it was an older truck in need of some TLC. I was right now that the list of things have been done 2 it, it runs like a champ and now has 192,000 miles on it. I dont plan to ever get rid of it. I will always drive a suburban, wouldnt have it any other way. Whatever breaks I hope I can afford to fix it.

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  800 miles and tranny trouble - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By cowboywong - June 10 - 9:11 am

  I was happy till after 800 miles win the transmission intermittently shifts unusually at low and high speeds. Its scheduled for the second appointment to get an extensive test drive. I feel the service dept is trying but they indicate there are no codes and the 6 speed transmission is unusual in nature in that it doesnt shift right/normally. It is also very intermittent but my confidence is pretty much gone in the drive train. In addition the ignition/ steering wheel locked and had a couple of other incidences with the ignition switch, again intermittent problem, service could not duplicate the issue.

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  General - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By crack07 - June 9 - 12:44 am

  I dont drive the car a lot. Im a Farmer and drive my truck more. Had a large issue with leaving it outside a few time in heavy rain and it flooded the floor boards, I mean water standing. Took it to the dealer they say its fixed but its been in the garage for all heavy rains since. Only have 39,000 on it now. But it gets good mpg and you dont lay down to drive it like most cars. Other than the water issue I have had only on issue they replaced the radio but all seems good now just wish I would have got the 100,000 pwr train warranty I got on my 07 silverado but that came free on it.

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  Favorite truck - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By uncle dave - June 8 - 6:50 pm

  Bought with 89k miles on it. Now pushing 128. Only problems other than general maint. were universal joint at 110k and tps at 127k.Have had more people comment on this truck than my BMW.With 4 cyl. its no hot rod, but it gets me to work every day without fail and averages 21-22 mpg around town. Will drive it till it dies or I do.

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  Great vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By rob - June 8 - 4:25 pm

  Very roomy for a family of 7. Great for long trips with the DVD system and interior comfort. Tons of storage space..for a family of 7. Gas mileage is excellent for the vehicle size we averaged 14.7 over the first several years. Powerful engine that can handle mountainous roads with ease.

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  bitter sweet - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By delano - June 6 - 9:56 pm

  I have owned this car for a 1 1/2 years. Dont purchase one with a removable top if you want to stay dry. I have replaced all the seals. It still leaks, radio poor, steering wheel lockout disable as soon possible.

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  Nice, I guess - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Gene - June 6 - 9:30 pm

  I actually have the V-6 Equinox. That is my biggest debate on this vehicle. I like the vehicle. It is nice and roomy. The adjustable backseat works for carrying the kids and then adjusting to carry my work stuff. So far, it seems to be working well. I heard about how well the I4 is performing,but went with the V6 because I like to move and may need to pull a motorcycle trailer. Yet, the engine has not been that impressive. It has an initial lag. The transmission can be a bit harsh. I was just not impressed with it. The only other complaint I have is the fog lights. This model has automatic lights. Yet, I have to reach past the regular light switches to reach the fog lights. annoying

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  Fleet Car - 2010 Chevrolet Impala
  By Frank - June 6 - 11:04 am

  I use this car as my company car. My last one was a 2007 Impala and had 100K before turning it on my 2010.I already have 25K on this one and had not had any problems . The 2010 model eliminates most of the Impala badging on the outside of the car making it a little more appealing. If you are looking for a large size sedan for basic transportation and no frills this may be the car for you.