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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  Even form a guy who likes sports cars! - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By shmef - October 14 - 4:51 pm

  I own my volt for just a month now. What a blast it is to drive! In sport it is really neck snapping, not to mention it drives and handles like a dream. People ask me all the time about it, it gets so much attention.

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  Got what I was expecting.. - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By shawnsta3 - October 13 - 6:01 pm

  I bought this car for 4.500 last year and was promptly taken to the cleaners. I cant even sell this car for 3,500 this year. But on my actual review, I pretty much got what I expected out of this truck. Decent gas mileage in overdrive (not what you would hope for such a small engine) lack of power going up hills. The 4 wheel drive is a plus. The extended cab is a joke. Only kids under the age of 5 can fit back there. Poor inside looks. Average outside looks. The automatic window on my side sticks sometimes. This truck was really nothing special in the year I have owned it. But on the bright side the only problem I had with it was a new battery and battery connecter for repairs.

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  Bad Purchase! Dont Do it! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By acebayb - October 12 - 12:46 pm

  I purchased my equinox used in August 2012 with only 44,000 miles. Next thing you know I noticed my key was getting stuck in the ignition. I used a search engine to see if others had the same issue and surprise, surprise others had the exact same issue. The dealer is still trying to figure out whats wrong with it after replacing the "control module" and "selanoid". Now my truck is making a rattling noise from the engine and I found out through some research that the previous owner had to have the timing chain replaced. Why??? The truck didnt even have 44,000 miles on it at the time. Now my truck has about 47,500 miles and I am ready to sell it! Warning stay away from this vehicle!

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  volt service issues - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By amped1 - October 12 - 11:04 am

  I love my volt. Couple of months old. Car is great. The issue is service. Here is a simple issue that the volt team and stingray chevrolet cannot fix. When you use the bluetooth, as the vehicle increases in speed the road noise above 40 mph with windows up etc. makes it impossible for anyone to hear you. The bluetooth cant hear anyone over the road noise in the microphone. It makes it impossible to use. The volt team cannot find a way to fix this issue. If service is an issue for you be wary, they can build a great imaginative vehicle but they cant figure out how to fix even simple problems with the car.

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  Best truck Ive ever owned!! - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jbradabadowski - October 11 - 7:18 pm

  I use this truck for a work truck. I usually haul from 1500 to 2000 lbs. of tools in the back of this truck and also pull a 5x10 enclosed trailer fully loaded with tools. It now has 260,000 miles and has never given me any trouble other than I had the transmission rebuilt at 175,000 miles. I have worked this truck much harder than was intended for it and it has never let me down. These older ones are stronger and tougher trucks than the newer ones. My wife drives a 2006 Tahoe and it is just not the work horse that my older suburban is although hers IS a good truck. If you can find one of these Surburbans from 1995 to 1999 with the 5.7 engine with decent miles, buy it. Youll love it.

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  Waste of Money - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By kgates75 - October 11 - 2:59 pm

  I bought this car in 2007. It was 2005 and had 14k what a deal I thought. At 50k I had to replace the motor. It had an issue that the dealer stated *Never happens* now at 115k the car needs a new transmission and will not pass emissions. I still owe a years payments on this car. I contacted GM, they apparently do not care that they make crap! Every year I owned this pile I have dumped too much money into it. Engine, suspension, exhaust, tie rod ends, not to mention the regular maintenance. If I could go back I would have bought the Dodge instead. Never will I waste money on a GM vehicle.

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  2010 Chevrolet Equinox - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By rick2010chequ - October 11 - 12:14 pm

  If you are thinking about buying this car, dont. 32,700 miles I bought this used. Worst mistake of my life buying this car. I wish I could trade it for another. Not happy at all. The dash board vibrates and rattles. I have had this in for repair at the Chevy dealer since I first bought this car. I had a 1960 Chevy Impala and a 1976 Chevy Special and was happy with them for many years. Buyer beware...do not buy 2010 Chevrolet Equinox or you will be sorry. I wish I had read these reviews before I purchased this horrible car. You feel cheap in this car. You hear the road noise...horrible. Buying this car makes me feel like a complete idiot.

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  cruzer - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By seth21 - October 10 - 8:22 pm

  great economical car! fun to drive . 6speed transmission makes for a fun ride with easy ways to customize to make it your own

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  Great Car - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By kal1963 - October 10 - 5:35 pm

  Much improved quality over the Cobalt! 16000 miles and no interior noises or rattles. Car handling very responsive and fun to drive. Constant 37 mpg everyday driving - 60 miles per day commute. Very satisfied with this car.

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  Best vehicle Ive owned, Driving it until it explodes!!! - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By 07avalancheman - October 10 - 4:50 pm

  I bought my used 07 Avalanche in 08 with 21K miles for $29K which included the GMPP 5yr/75Kmile extended warrant. The truck has performed well and Ive used the extended warranty on the AC condencer, tailgate handle assembly, replaced the steering wheel (due to unusual wear) and a few other little things. The ride is amazing, it handles well in snow and its extremely safe. Ive had a few people run into my truck and while my trucK took very little damage while the other vehicles were destroyed. Id rather have a giant tank of a vehile than a little death trap anyday. Also, with the backup sensors, I can park anywhere and once you learn the size, you can too. GREAT VEHICLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!