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 Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Melissa - October 30 - 6:33 am

  I love my Equinox. I get so many compliments on my truck. Its not a huge SUV. It seems to be just the right size. With the rear folding AND sliding seats, picking up a large item is not a problem. And with the front folding passenger seat, long pieces of lumber or the like, is a piece of cake! Avaible On-Star & XM Radio is awesome. I use my personal calling feature all the time.

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  Nice - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Todd Loyd - October 30 - 5:53 am

  The car is much nicer than any other compact I have owned. Bought as a second car and a grocery getter. This does more than deliver. It is smooth, quiet, comfortable, and has about as much power as you would expect from a compact.

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  Roomy, but Cheap! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By lilmomx2 - October 30 - 3:16 am

  I have had owned this car for 13 months. It has been in the shop 2 times and I am about to bring it back in. About 2 months after we purchased this vehicle the surpentine belt came off for no apparent reason. It was not broken or stretched out and we had to have the car towed to the dealership. About 3 months ago it started rattling really loud. I took it back to the dealer. They kept it for 2 days and told me that a screw had come loose in the motor. It also rattles real loud in the back of the car, but since it is not constant I cant bring it to the dealer. I have no way of knowing when it will do it. Also, now my ignition switch is going out. My car only has $25K miles on it. The whole car is plastic.

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  New Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By John - October 29 - 11:10 pm

  Vehicle has only been purchased for 1 month. Overall excellent quality throughout and finish. Only concern yet to be fully realized is decent mileage. Hopefully this will improve over the next few months. 5.3 engine seems to work well with the active fuel management.

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  2006 Chevy Uplander - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Dan - October 29 - 8:18 pm

  Overall, the van is roomy and has a smooth ride. Great look, drives and feels like an SUV. This is a great van for the family. We love our Uplander!

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  Great Step Up From Old S10! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Rusty_fwg - October 29 - 6:56 pm

  After driving and comparing many mid size trucks, I can now say I am more than pleased with my choice with the colorado. I have a reg. cab 5cyl z71 4x4 and have found it can get around in the worst possible places i could stick it. Gas mileage is good, better than a full size truck by far, and gets even better with a little weight in the back end. Has good sound and turns well. Factory stereo with tweeters is good, but will be adding a subwoofer for a little more umph. Tons more power and better feel than the new ranger, and is a lot better suited than the dakota. Best domestic small truck by far, I would tell anyone to pick one up!! Rusty

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  My Colorado - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By mongo - October 29 - 6:46 pm

  I am experienced with the S-10 and this model is better than the older model. The frame is stronger, the handling, braking, and steering are better, and since buying it in Sep 06 Ive had no problems. I will admit that the interior plastic could be firmer but I am sure the factory has reasons for the flexible plastic now used.

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  Solid little car - 2001 Chevrolet Metro
  By mebrich - October 29 - 5:22 pm

  I bought this car as a puddle jumper to get to and from work. I have been pleasantly surprised by this little car. Suzuki did a good job with the engine. Honestly the car is what it is, a small economy car. The only complaint I have with it is that it is noisy on the interior. Engine noise, especially at higher speeds, basically over 65 mph.

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  Chevy Trucks Rule - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Moddriver - October 29 - 5:13 pm

  Awesome vehicle. I look forward to driving this vehicle every morining. The drive to work is very enjoyable. Great looking, well built, rides great and the gas mileage is OK (18.5 overall). This vehicle is much more appealing than the Ford or Dodge. People notice when you drive by.

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  Great Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tracy - October 29 - 12:23 pm

  I looked at a lot of small to mid-size SUVs, and kept coming back to the Equinox. The ride is smooth compared to other SUVs, and I feel like I am in a sedan. Car handles great. There are a few things that Im not too pleased with, including the backseat headrests that are too tall, but I love driving this car and, for the price, the purchase was definitely worth it.