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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  Love it but slightly sketchy - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By KoNaGuRl - February 23 - 9:40 pm

  I bought this truck sight unseen except for pictures sent via email. I love it but im noticing some issues someonelse previously wrote about with the thud noise in the differential. Ive also noticed a delay in acceleration. No longer have dealerships here on island and ive also been told those are normal??? Anyone experienced these things and if so...normal????

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  Love My 2018 Equinox - 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Matt W - February 23 - 6:27 pm

  What a fantastic car! I have had mine for 2 weeks and love it!! got it on incentives and black Friday deals $26K out the door with Gap protection. I dont understand the grips with acceleration its definitely quicker than my 07 V6 Explorer granted its bigger and heavier it also has a much larger 4L engine. Android Auto is an Amazing feature that makes life on the road easy and fun. It feels big but drives small the maneuverability is fantastic. I would recommend an Equinox to anyone with a small family fits 3 car seats perfectly. Grade A+

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  Great small-frame truck - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By coolbamakid - February 23 - 4:59 pm

  This is a great truck for its size. Its got enough space to fit adults in the back seat and it has a nice size bed. The engine runs well and is very reliable.

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  The Car that Could Have Been, But Isnt - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Henry - February 23 - 4:46 am

  Rented a brand-new Impala SS for a recent two-hundred mile trip. With a nice exterior styling and a roaring V8, this car could have been a huge hit for GM. However, it lacks the refinement, features and quality that are present in even entry-level import sedans. Despite its sport pretentions the cars steering and suspension are numbed with novacaine. Transmission lacks the auto-stick feature and is neither sporty nor refined. Wind noise is pronounced The interior lacks any character and feels generations behind both in quality and in content of my 06 Civic. The quality throughout is inconsistent. Overall, the car has a feel of being designed by the bean counters for the rental lots.

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  1999 1500 LS Chevy Suburban - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By JIM C - February 22 - 9:55 pm

  Great vehicle, towing power, and easy to drive. Great on road. Paint and quality good.

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  Dont buy this car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By akztraylor - February 22 - 8:05 pm

  I have had this car for less than 2 years and it has been in the shop 7 times now. I am very disapointed in this car. I thought this would be a better car to own, now I cant wait to get rid of it!

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  I am in love - 1998 Chevrolet Metro
  By Mrnrich1979 - February 22 - 5:49 pm

  I am so happy about the fact I found this car. I was shopping for a Civic when I came across this gem. Perfect little car in perfect shape. I have classmates coming up to me asking what is the new model on campus. Of course I just laugh and tell them this car is 9 years old. Did I mention it takes 9 dollars for a half tank of gas.

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  Great for Teaching 2 Teenagers to Drive - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By RR - February 22 - 4:03 pm

  Rented one and loved the performance. First 50,000 miles no issues. Then had to replace manifold gasket and fan control twice. At 100,000 the manifold gasket, air conditioning compressor, and rack n pinion need replacement. Still gets over 30 mpg on long trips but typically 16-20 mpg in suburban driving. As usual, Chevy had a good idea that was executed poorly.

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  Update of Prior Review - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Katoomba - February 22 - 1:59 pm

  Here are two updates: First, I never get better than 12/15 miles per gallon city/highway. Second and more importantly, I found the first flaw on this truck. After not being able to start the truck twice because of a run- down battery, I learned from a Chevy dealer that, because of all the lights and electric accessories in the LTZ version, you need to drive 30 minutes to recharge the battery. Mind you, this is not an issue of running accessories with the engine off. This is getting in and out of the truck and perhaps opening and closing the electric rear gate before taking your five minute drive to and from the train station every weekday. After a while the battery is dead.

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  Best car Ive owned - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Greg - February 22 - 1:10 pm

  We recently replaced a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP w/ this and are very pleased. The ride is great, the fuel mileage is O.K. w/ the 8 cyl. ( 17.5 to 21.7) but we have not taken it on any trips yet. We got every option on this except the DVD player and like it all. What a pleasure to drive and to park.