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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  Best decision I made - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mary P. - August 7 - 5:46 pm

  I had been looking for a new SUV but I wanted to downsize from my Explorer. I love this SUV because it is very roomy inside and I dont feel I had to give up a lot going to the Equinox. Even though it is a 4 speed it has a lot of pick-up and I am loving the fuel savings. I looked at both the 2009 and 2010 which are different. The cost and fuel economy is much better in the 2010 than the 2009 and I actually got a better deal on the 2010.

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  Excellent Ride - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Kh20000 - August 7 - 9:16 am

  I purchased my Equinox in May of 2004. I love it! Fuel economy, roomy, carlike feeling, spacious like a minivan and looks like an SUV. I have received plenty of compliments on this car from friends family co workers, and complete strangers. For the price, you cant go wrong!

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  Happy in Bama - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Steve C - August 6 - 2:33 am

  This is my first Chevy and first SUV. I have owned several cars in the past, my last a Honda Accord in which I have been very pleased with. But with an increasing family, my wife and I started looking at SUVs. We spotted the Equinox. We were very impressed with its style and also the price, along with its mileage performance. Im tall, so I wanted an SUV that would be very roomy, and the Equinox has it all and more. The interior could be a little nicer with plusher leather. A wheel bearing went bad in back right wheel, the window washer quit working, and most recently I heard a popping noise when making turns. It was left front strut that dealership recently replaced, I hope its not an omen. Other than that, Im very pleased. Chevy has replaced the Tracker with an awesome SUV. As of right now with 23,000 miles I am very happy with this vehicle.

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  Small Out Side- Big Inside - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Laurya - August 4 - 2:00 am

  Love the Theater seating, I feel like Im driving a minnie truck! Lots of people room....

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  02-Z71 - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jakeman - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I was a Ford driver past 9yrs, 1st Chevy truck. Kicking myself for not switching sooner, great ride-strong performance.

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  Make sure u know what u r getting - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By luvtheava - August 4 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the Avalanche z71 on May03. Love every minute of owning this truck. I love the design (even though it may be controversial) and the versatility. Fuel mileage is on par with other trucks of its class, so it does get good mileage compare to other full size trucks. As a truck, the ride is exceptionally comfortable, handling is good for a vehicle this size, and interior features are quite nice. As an SUV, however, the interior is quite spartan compared to other SUVs. But then again, this is not a SUV, nor is it really a truck. That is the beauty of the Avalanche!

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  Best I Have Ever Owned - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By 07SSOhio - July 31 - 6:26 pm

  I cant say enough good things about this car. Absolutely amazing, no problems, great mileage, super fun.

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  A delight to drive - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By MClean - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This is a delightful car to drive. For a small four cylinder it has excellent exceleration(pulling hills or merging into traffic) on the highway. The gas mileage is also a big plus. I got 30mpg in the city and 38mpg on the highway. And that is with a automatic transmission. The seats are comfortable and there is ample room for four passengers. The hatchback has a small storage space in the rear, but if you need more room the rear seats fold down. The only thing that I did not like was the cup holder in the front dash. When you use it, any thing you have in it blocks access to the ac/heater controls. But for less than 14K this car is excellent.

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  Excellent Drive - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By adclarke - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I did not expect the Malibu to have as smooth a ride as it does. It is a comfortable, reliable car with a classy style all its own. Recommended buy!

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  I Love It!!!!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By wilma B - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This Car has been nothing but great! We would buy it again! There is nothing I dont like about it. I would recomend it to my best friend.we compaired it to other cars in the same class and I am so glad we chose the monte carlo. We have the yellow and people are allways telling me how pretty it is. My other car is a eldorado and I would rather drive the monte carlo! I Love It!!!!