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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  My wife is fuming - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mike - July 31 - 2:03 pm

  Traded in a 2009 Toyota Rav4 for a 2010 Equinox LTZ 4 cyl. after numerous transmission issues with the Rav4. This is the first American auto I have owned since I was in high school. For unbeknown reasons my wife has nothing but disdain toward GM and refuses to even ride in it. Anyway, we took a trip from Iowa City, Ia to Gaithersburg MD (she drove her Camry) and I got 34 miles per gallon, which was fantastic considering I hadnt ever got over 26 with the Rav4. It was eight miles per gallon better than the rav4 and 4 miles MPG better than her Camry. In addition the the fuel millage the interior quality is better, as is fit and finish and best of all, no squeaks, which the Rav4 was full of.

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  Great car - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Lisa - July 30 - 3:23 pm

  Bought this car with low expectations, but it was a good deal. Turns out this little car is awesome. I wont be trading up anytime soon. Its perfect.

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  mpg with efe - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By scooby1234 - July 30 - 9:59 am

  Very peppy, I am getting average 27 mpg in the city have not went on long trip yet, it said that some people will get up to 44 mpg on the highway. Cant wait. This xfe, lt, has a lot of get up and go with the five speed. No drag when I turn the air conditioning on like some of the other 4cl cars I test drove. I now have 1500 miles on her!

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  Great vehicle - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By hawkeye - July 29 - 9:45 pm

  I have over 21,000 miles and love the vehicle. It has great power. Ive had a transmission flash which improved what I considered good shifting, already.(people complaining of "slipping or harsh shifts" should get it) The interstate mpg is 22 at a steady 76 mph-back highways at 60mph is up to 24 mpg-around town is in the 14 mpg range.

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  The Catfish of cars (they just dont die) - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jolex - July 29 - 8:12 pm

  They say that cars are a liability not an investment, but my 1998 Cavalier proved that statement wrong! I bought mine brand new and drove it for 13 years. It still runs and the only thing I ever really needed to do was regular maintenance. Its been through a lot and if anyone says that a Chevy is no good then there is no way that they have ever truly owned one. I would recommend a Chevy to anyone. It was worth every penny and it showed that American made cars are at the top of the list with foreign competition. I loved my car and my faith in Chevy will never be diminished.

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  I love my Chevy Cobalt LT Coupe! - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Steph&Lou09 - July 29 - 3:53 pm

  It is my first car! Love love love it! It is the best. Hands down. Others are jealous. Its a sexy car. I named him Lou. It has good gas mileage. Never had a problem with it :) Chevy for life!

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  Exceeds our "expectations" - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dtgriffin - July 29 - 11:21 am

  My wife and I love our new Malibu! Our Malibu exceeds "all" of our expectations. The standard turn by turn navigation is awesome and easy to use. Hard to believe a family sedan comes standard with the paddle shift, which worked great while we took a drive through the Smokey mountains. We love everything about our new Malibu lt!

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  Very Nice Alternative to MiniVan - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Laurie - July 28 - 6:31 pm

  Ive driven mini vans since the early 1990s and this vehicle is the next best thing for space and comfort. Actually had my heart set on replacing my 5 year old AWD Toyota Sienna, which was a lemon, with another Sienna, but the Traverse won. Lots of cheap plastic finish features in 2010 chevys, fords and toyotas we test drove. Gas mileage about as expected around 20 mpg. I chose fwd instead of awd to save $2000 and higher auto insurance for awd. Hoping I dont regret it. Relying on stability and traction control to get through northern US winters. On Star and satellite radio are a new treat for us. Nice features. I think Chevy did this one right and they must too, warranty is best Ive seen.

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  Great littel gas saver - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Lisa - July 28 - 2:57 pm

  I just bought my Cobalt with 35,000 miles. Im already impressed. I drive quite a bit and this car can drive forever on one tank of gas. I love the exterior.

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  Awesome car! - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By AWESOM CAR!!! - July 28 - 12:06 pm

  I bought this used car at 180,000 km and it is in perfect condition, love the 4 spd automatic, great gas mileage lots of fun to drive very reliable and love the design. regular oil changes and maintenance this car has never skipped a beat. With original everything this 9 yr old car shifts smoothly and drives great. I would recommend buying a cavalier over the competitors.