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:

• 

  Volt Volt Baby! - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By s_shawn_l - May 3 - 3:10 pm

  Ive had my 2013 Volt for about six weeks and 2,200 miles. Typically by this time after a new car purchase, Ive found pros and cons associated with my purchase. I cant find any cons to speak of with this one (thats a first). Its everything I had hoped it would be, but more. Ive taken a couple of day trips utilizing the gas mode, and still have managed to keep my total mpg around 160. Almost every day someone asks me about my Volt it draws alot of attention. Im a rolling commercial for this vehicle. Very happy with my purchase.

• 

  Whistle type air leak - 2010 Chevrolet Impala
  By lura - May 2 - 4:26 pm

  I purchased a 2010 Impala in Oct. 2012 with less then 19,000 miles on it. When I am driving down the road with the window down and air button circulating air from outside there is a whistle from the passenger side. If you turn the fan on it stops. If you have the button circulating the air inside the car there is no whistle with the window down and fan off. I have been told now that all the Impalas do this. Really? I dont believe this is true. Why would you manufacture a car that when you drive it you cant enjoy due to whistle. I am fed up with the run around from the dealership. I had a 2004 Impala and my friend has 2009 Impala and they dont have the whistle

• 

  Very good - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mrsteady1 - May 1 - 12:03 pm

  Very reliable, practical vehicle. No fancy BS. This will get the job done. My commute is throught heavy traffic and the car is super reliable, gas mileage is good , not great. I ideally need more room, but due to a rough commute, this was the best choice. I have had many Chevys over the years and they have all gone over 200k with regular maintenance.

• 

  Impressed Chevy Owner 2013 - 2013 Chevrolet Traverse
  By silverado224 - May 1 - 10:18 am

  Traded 2011 Chevy Equinox for 2LT for 2013 1LT Traverse and we love it!!! The acceleration is great for a SUV and the ride is very smooth. This vehicle was purchased for my wife. I drive a 2011 Chevy Silverado LTZ, but have no problems feeling comfortable in the Traverse. I looked at a Tahoe and when I saw the limited cargo space, I said pass!!! Looks like you would have a hard time getting a gallon of milk back there. The Traverse has been a great investment and I look forward to taking many road trips in it!!!

• 

  2011 Equinox 6 cylnder - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By vlies - April 30 - 7:32 pm

  I was very unhappy to bring my car in, it showed on the car computer that it back fired on all cylinders by they were not able to determine why. Why have the computer code if it doesnt tell you the reason. This is the second time this Equinox has been in for problems with similar issues in the last year, it only has 24,000 miles on it. If this coninues, it will likely be the last GM vehicle that I buy again, and it has 20 years since I purchased an american company car. It makes me sad to give up on the American Auto industry. They should have simply tried some things such as new spark plugs, fuel flush, retiminig the car, whatever. I felt that would have been at least some action. The prop

• 

  Great daily driver - 2013 Chevrolet Impala
  By perlanera - April 30 - 7:16 pm

  After reading the review of the 2013 Impala on Edmunds one would foolish to buy this car, but dont be fooled its a great large vehicle. Large for todays scene, but not that large. 18 cu trunk and with the back seat folded down its able to carry a lot of cargo. The 3.6 twin overhead cam V-6 pulls like a modern V-8 with a firm ride. I bought the LTZ and it reminds me of my 1996 Cadillac Eldorado, except the Eldorado did not have a sunroof or heated seats. Gar mileage is good, not great, averaging 21 mpg in traffic and 28 mpg on the highway with regular gas - most high power v-6s require high test gas, not this one with direct injection (no turbo). $4000 rebate, you cant beat it !

• 

  A great car - 2013 Chevrolet Impala
  By polar8 - April 29 - 8:31 pm

  This car is a great car. This first review posted before me shouldnt be advised to read. This car is a joy ride. I have not been in a smoother ride. It is a very comfortable car. It is very spacious. Every one ive had in the car wanted to fall right asleep in the seat. It doesnt get the best gas mileage but for a sedan with some speed its perfect. Some one who is losing speed on turns should probably turn off the traction control and remember a impala is not for turning on a dime. I like this car and it runs great. I would recommend this car for a great american made sedan and will tell you if your looking at this car, get it, its great

• 

  Volt problem - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By wligon - April 28 - 5:58 pm

  My wife drove our Volt to a friends house. When she parked and turned off the car, she realized that she had parked someone in She quickly pushed the power button and shifted to reverse. Nothing happened! The power button was lit on the console but there was no power. Pushing the power button again gave the message: "initializing--wait to shift" This continued for about an hour until the car sensed the battery was running down and shut itself off . After the shutdown, it restarted and operated normally but for an hour it was dead! Chevy told us they had never seen this. We conclude you absolutely must wait for everything to come up before shifting! Software needs a fix.

• 

  Poor performace - 2013 Chevrolet Impala
  By wolfdoctor - April 28 - 5:19 am

  After 800 miles, I can honestly say Im ready to get rid of this car. When the car is cold, the acceleration can only be described as herky-jerky and the car loses power when I turn right. The gas mileage is also poor - about 17 mpg. I havent had the time to take it into the shop, because it would have to stay there all day long. Terrible car.

• 

  poor fuel milage/ok vehical - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By fordmaster73 - April 27 - 1:46 pm

  My wife and I bought our 04 suburban with the Z71 package. at first we loved this vehicle (and still really like it). but we feel the fuel mileage is horrible! It left us stranded 30 miles in the wilderness after a camping trip with no phone services when the ground wire to the ECM (computer) broke. It cost us $400 at a dealer to fix a wire and re-flash the computer. the battery and alternator also needed replaced but I was OK with that considering its age and mileage. just figured it was normal maintenance. the brakes have always felt week even after replacing them and flushing the old fluid out. the power of the 5.3L I feel is undersized for this size of vehicle.