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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  Little Demon Car - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Kevin - July 23 - 4:23 pm

  First off, I always get tons of crap from my buddies when I tell them I got a cobalt until I take em for a ride. Amazing power for such a little car and the brakes stop on a dime. Only real problem is everywhere I go, people try to race me lol

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  Early impression - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Rick S - July 23 - 2:22 pm

  Its still early but I am very impressed so far. The car handles extremely well - composed, confident and sure-footed. Steering is precise and well balanced. The 6 speed tranny makes some odd shifts but thats in ECO mode and after reading other reviews was expected. The 2.5 liter 4 cylinder has PLENTY of pep and is a really smart choice unless you plan to do some heavy hauling. The seats are brilliant. Firm but with wide and deep bottom cushions that give great support. Best out of the Hyundais and Fords I tested. Dash layout is attractive and functional. Im loving this car more every time I drive it. And its a great looker too. I got the Mocha Steel Metallic with black cloth.

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  Dont want to get rid of it - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Kelli - July 22 - 8:10 pm

  This vehicle is the best one I have ever owned. Was going to trade it for a Lincoln Navigator until I drove it! Nothing in my opinion handles like my Tahoe, I have 109,000 miles on it and it rides just like the day I bought it. Just purchased a new warranty for 5 yr for it cause I plan on keeping it!

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  Love it! - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By ScottH - July 22 - 9:22 am

  My son bought this car last year as his first "muscle car", and pretty much as a "collectors car" so to speak. When he bought it, it had 28,000+ on it, now it only has in the high 29,000. Not bad for a 22 year old. Of course, hes in the Navy and its now sitting in my garage. Everything is original including the tires! The EGR needs to be replaced, but thats it. The body paint is fantastic still, with two minor little, but deep scratches. I think he looks better driving it than his 50 year old dad, but i dont tell him that. Unfortunately, were going to have to sell it as he has a nice vehicle with him, and it doesnt make sense having this one just sit until he gets out someday

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  Pretty good first car - 1994 Chevrolet Corsica
  By matt94 - July 21 - 4:23 pm

  Well to be honest I only paid $700 for it. Thinking it has 117k miles on it it wont last long. Was I wrong 129,355 miles on it only one tune up and several oil changes and a year of driving it non stop to work and school and around with friends no problems. Great first car for teens.

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  LTZ 2010 - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By A - July 20 - 3:31 pm

  Very comfortable, mpg as advertised, lots of space and pep. LTZ package is much better than standard. Chose this car over Enclave and Arcadia because it looks more chunky and tough (Enclave is a little effeminate). Driven Florida/New York twice - excellent performance and comfort.

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  Pretty cool! Fat fenders & WIDE tires! - 2010 Chevrolet Corvette
  By sevargmt - July 20 - 1:52 pm

  This is my 1st Corvette. Im impressed with the car - better than any of the competition at a much cheaper price. Didnt realize the car would have such a cool factor. Good gas mileage, comfortable and rides reasonably well. If you order a Corvette one can go to the plant in Kentucky and watch your car assembled - I did and it was well worth the price. A once in a lifetime experience! The factory workers were nice and committed to building a quality car - more than one told me they wanted the car to be perfect for me. Id do it all over again. The dual mode exhaust is a must have option - I upgraded mine with a aftermarket remote to open/close the valves at will. Very cool! Love my vette!

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  Fantastic - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By Steve - July 19 - 1:01 pm

  This car averages 1000 miles per week at 70 mph most of the time @ 31 MPG. Since I bought it there have been no running gear or A/C problems. In fact greasing the doors and oil changes every 3k is all it has seen. It runs today as well as the day I drove it off the lot.

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  Over all pleased - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ITS ABOUT TIME - July 18 - 10:28 am

  We ordered our NOX in Jan. because of lack of supply and color choices. I was amazed at how uninformed the GM website people were when asking questions. I had to go to the auto show to find one person to answer questions like percentage of American made parts? It is made in Canada and there still increasing production there. I am happy with the vehicle traded in a newer Civic to buy an American vehicle, this was the closest I could find. Weve average overall around 28 mpg combined. It rides nice, kind of noisy for a 4 cy. but overall like it. And would buy another one, at this point. The controls are a pain to use in my opinion.

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  Malibu 1LT i4 - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Matthew - July 17 - 2:51 pm

  I have sat in all different types, the LS, 1LT, 2LT, and the LTZ. This is very important to note. The LS is very basic and is limited, also the LS has a different automatic transmission, in 1 LT and up, there is an automatic 6- speed transmission + pedal shifters (I really like this option). If you have or you are looking into a Malibu LS and dont like the power or performance, please look into another model type. I spent about a little more and went from the LS to the 1LT, I am so glad I did! The interior was more stylish and there were a load of options that werent available on the LS.