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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  Great for Family and travel - 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Bill B. - August 12 - 3:01 pm

  I was looking for a safe vehicle that was easy to get in and out of and have a lots of room for my family. The chevy equinox is the best choice. It is a complete package. Large and quite inside with more leg room then my Lincoln town car just not as wide. Has air bags both front and sides. And the doors have acoustic glass to keep it quiet and protect you in case of roll over. Equinox comes with active noise cancelation technology to combat the noise of its engine. The system Vallance and his team up with consists of an ANC module that kicks in when the engine is running in the 1,000 to 1,500 rpm range. Two microphones in the vehicle interior measure the amplitude and the phase of the engine noise sound waves and relay this information to the ANC module. To ensure it targets only the unwanted engine noise and not other noise inside the cabin, such as the stereo or passenger conversations, the module also takes into account the engine speed to calculate the target frequency that needs to be cancelled. Seats are very comfortable for my 14 hour trips I take once a month and commuting back and forth to work every day. The four cylinder is smooth, quiet and refined and works well with the 6 speed and seems to have a gear for every need. Does not work hard going over the mountains and still gets 28.4 miles to the gallon every day driving at 65 mph. Has four power ports one USB and one 3.5mm jack. This is an easy vehicle to live with and I would buy another one.

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  No Complaints on MPG - 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Barry Skinner - August 12 - 12:09 pm

  The electronics are great but on-star is very costly added to XM radio it could cost over $55.00 per month. The front seat quit once and dealer replaced fuse, also dealer left seat cover on side hanging off, so not happy about that. Very comfortable ride. Not fast if you are looking for sports car performance but I pass people easily enough, just have to allow more room than say a turbo boosted engine. As for the mileage I average 29 mpg which is great and I have gotten 37 mph for a 50 mile average. All in all I am pretty pleased with my Equinox 1 LT which has back up camera, power driver seat, 7" touch screen, 4G internet, navigation, satellite radio, remote start, and a lot of other features, just no fog lamps, but I only paid 26,000.00 out the door price and it had only 1500 miles on this demo.

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  love the malibu - 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dawn - August 11 - 11:51 pm

  I bought the new 2015 Malibu after owning a 2000 Monte Carlo SS I bought brand new. Love my Malibu. Not as much room as the Monte Carlo and a little harder to get out of but love the gas mileage.

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  Really Love This Car - 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Randy Risner - August 10 - 6:16 pm

  I have owned many cars including Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Cadillac Buick and other premium brands. This car impresses me for its value. It is solidly built with quality materials. It rides well, it handles well, it accelerates well, it is comfortable on long drives and it gets incredible fuel economy for its size and weight. The only complaints I have are the limited room in the rear passenger area and the blind spots in the rear. I recently drove the car from California to Alabama. My average speed was 80 mph. My average fuel economy was better than 36 mpg. Maintenance costs are fantastic. Regular maintenance on this car is about $40 per visit compared to over $400 per visit for my wifes Mercedes C Class. I wont even go into the maintenance costs I experienced as a Jaguar owner. Overall, this car compares quite favorably to similar offerings by Japan or Europe. I drive this car a lot having put over 40,000 miles on it in one year. All of that mileage and no significant problems at all. This is not a sports car and it wasnt designed as one. So, everyone complaining about handling and acceleration are comparing apples to oranges. It drives quite well and is very much like any other similar car like the Honda Accord or Nissan Altima. In my opinion, the car is a bit overpriced. However, I made up for that with GMs military discount which brought the price into reasonable territory. Further, I doubt that the car will hold its resale value the way Honda or Nissan does simply because it is a domestic offering. All in all, this car does what GM says it can do. It is a great value and a great car.

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  68 Vett When we got married 07 Vett 40 yrs later - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Anthony - August 9 - 7:35 pm

  Buy a Battery Tender , GM Should have had one on the car , The Key fob is kind of funky , Garage door openers , Cell Phones , Sent in to the Twilight Zone , Other than that Its a Great Car , I am 6ft 3 , a lot of leg room , 68 vette was 1/4 mile fast ,07 is fast and quick as Far as You want to GO !

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  KING OF THE HILL - 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
  By BOB ALLENBY - August 8 - 6:17 pm

  YOU ARE GETTING THE BEST FOR THE PRICE ON THE MARKET

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  Colorado: You ROCK! - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Doug - August 6 - 10:55 pm

  I have owned a Tacoma and a Frontier. Both were great trucks. The Colorado is the best truck I have had. It is comfortable. Smooth ride. Outstanding interior. Awesome exterior. The technology is top rate. I love driving it. I have received a lot of people checking it out and asking me about it. I am very happy with my purchase and would encourage others to buy a Chevy.

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  Unbeatable - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Greg - August 6 - 7:06 pm

  For the costs, the towing ability, comfort! Comfort! You cant beat it. Easy to get parts, Highly reliable, this vehicle is unmatched.

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  General Motors has done a great job!I l - 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
  By miaclockman - August 5 - 1:36 pm

  I must say that for the past 20+ years, I had gone sour on American-Made cars after terrible experiences. So, for over 20 years, we leased Nissan automobiles with few problems and very satisfied. However, it came time for us to get a new vehicle and I thoroughly researched the top mid-sized sedans for 2015. The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ2 caught my eye after reading outstanding ratings by J.D. Power & Associates as well as top-notch crash ratings in all categories. Safety and reliability are on the very top of our list of what we are looking for in a vehicle. When we arrived at the dealership and saw the LTZ2 on the lot we had chosen online, first impression was that it was small for a mid-sized car. However, upon opening the doors and sitting in the vehicle, we found ample room in all seats. The first thing that impressed me was how absolutely quiet the interior of this car was! I didnt even know that the engine was running. Outside noises were barely noticeable and there is little to no road noise while driving the car. For once, I sat in an American-Made vehicle that didnt skimp on the quality of the interior. The dash was padded and every attention to detail was given. I especially liked the ambient lighting that wraps the entire instrument panel and dash with a gentle blue light. The ride was comfortable, and the car has an amazing tight turning radius. Acceleration, even without engaging the turbo, was more than enough power. When I "punched it", I was blown away at the power that I had to pass, enter a freeway, or do whatever I needed. It was hard to believe that it was a 4-cylinder engine. Braking was smooth, handling was responsive, and visibility from all angles was excellent. As for the "bells and whistles" - yes, this is the top of the line Malibu with everything included. We opted for the leather interior (although the majority available have black leather which is horrendously hot in South Florida), safety features abound with enough air bags (in my humble opinion) to keep me safe in the worst of crashes. The "heat factor", however, is easily overridden by the fact that the car can be started remotely. Simply press the lock button twice on the remote key, and then press the start key for 3 seconds. The car will start, the A/C or heat will bring the cabin to a comfortable temperature - all while you are walking t the car! And fear not - it cant be stolen when this is happening because the doors remain locked and all drivable features such as taking the transmission out of park, or steering are disabled until the key is physically put in the ignition). I appreciate having the rear-facing camera with guides to assist with parking and backing up, I appreciate the sensors that warn of front, rear, and side collisions, as well as a "lane drift" warning system that alerts me if I drift from my lane. "On Star" was the best thing that GM could have included in its vehicles. It consists of a host of sensors all over the car that can do remarkable things. For example, if I am driving along and feel or hear something amiss, I can call On Star and have a remote full diagnostic of my car done via satellite while I am driving. If it is something serious, I can get directions to the nearest dealership. If, God forbid, I am in an accident and unconscious, the On Star staff will attempt to contact me - if there is no response, an ambulance and police are immediately dispatched to my location. If my car is stolen, I can report it via phone or my mobile phone On Star app. Police will be notified and the car will be tracked by satellite. Once a police car is in sight of the vehicle, a remote signal is sent to slow the engine to a stop, lock the doors, and the thief is basically stuck in the car. I do agree with Edmunds.coms complaint that the My Link system (which is the brains of the car on a touch screen) has a steep learning curve. I think that GM tried to put as many features as possible into the system that it made it difficult to be more intuitive. However, everything is explained in detail in the owners manual, so I cant take away points on my review for this simple thing. For the basics, such as controlling the radio, adding favorite stations, pairing a Bluetooth phone, etc., are fairly straightforward and easily done without reading an instruction manual. Any of the "OK or N/A" ratings that I gave in this review are because I have only had the car for one week, so I cant speak yet for my experience of mechanical reliability or resale value. Otherwise, I feel that we made an excellent choice and I believe that GM has taken a long-hard look at what the consumer expects out of a vehicle and has equaled, if not surpassed, its foreign competitors in size and price class. I would highly recommend taking a look at the 2015 (and soon to be 2016) Malibu LTZ2. If you can afford this model that includes many of the features described above, it is well worth the extra $$$.

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  Superb car !!! - 2015 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Deep - August 3 - 2:00 pm

  I bought this car in May 2015, I am driving this vehicle.. it is Great car so far, good features,