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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  Fine Suburban Hauler - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Matthew - November 28 - 1:03 am

  The Equinox is a good fit for our famiily of three and a dog. The interior is useful, comfortable and roomy. The wind noise around the A pillars is the only unwelcome noise at speed. The engine and transmission work well together to move through commuter traffic. It also pulls well in hilly terrain. The adaptive transmission works well in the mountains. I often find myself cruising at 80 mph on the interstates. Get ready to fill up the gas tank often though. It is too small for the poor fuel mileage the car gets. The sandstone exterior color is attractive. Still getting used to the handling. It falls over in corners, but then sticks fairly well, with a bit of understeer.

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  NIce Izuzu - 2009 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Gary - November 27 - 2:47 pm

  Traded in my 15 year old S-10 on the cash for clunker deal. Nice enough truck. The front seats are a little cheap. The floor pan is up much higher that I am used to, feel like you are sitting in a little kid chair. If I plan to keep it for a while I will have to yank the bed liner out as it is starting to leave a gouge in the paint on the tailgate and front wall lip. Very roomy both front and rear. Plenty of power, at least for me. Weird thing about the cash for clunker deal, I got $3500 for my S-10 because the gas mileage on the Colorado was supposed to be better. I got 20 mpg consistently with the S-10. I get maybe 18 with the Colorado.

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  Not too Shabby - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By ahartney - November 27 - 9:17 am

  This car is overall pretty dependable. I drive it to and from work everyday, regularly change the oil and havent had any major issues up until now. Last night, was driving and heard a pop. I looked under the hood and it had sprayed coolant all over, starting from the passenger side near the air filter box. Turns out that a lot of Aveo owners have had the same issue. The factory thermostat housing is made of plastic and is held together with glue. Mine basically separated into two pieces right at the gasket. Options are buy an aluminum one for approx. $100.. ($91.78 plus tax from the dealer) or use plastic weld to glue it back together. By the way...parts are only carried by the dealer.

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  06 Z85 Crew - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By cameron - November 24 - 9:57 pm

  Purchased this truck a year ago. Have used it for city driving, long trips, and off roading. I have enjoyed it for all of them. The 3.5L is a little weak but not bad. Driving 65 on the interstate yields about 24mpg, 21mpg @ 75mph. We purchased this truck because it seemed like the best deal for a small 4-door 4x4 truck. We needed the back seat for an infant car seat. It has been a great truck so far with no problems. It even hauls more than I thought it would.

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  Chevy is letting me down... - 2009 Chevrolet Suburban
  By NotPleased - November 24 - 8:06 pm

  I Recently purchased my Suburban less than a month ago and Im already running into nightmares with constant trips to the dealership. My check engine light has already came on twice due to the ECU (Computer) changing my fuel settings which ends up leading to my truck not starting or running extremely rough. They keep resetting the ECU and it will run for a couple of days but Ill end up right back to where I started from, not driving. The truck is at the dealership as I write this... so beware, this truck is an electronic mess. Now Im sure I just ended up getting a bad build from the factory line but there are a few people already out there suffering with the same problems that Im having.

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  ZR2 Wish They Still Made Them - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By twoeggsup - November 23 - 4:27 pm

  Ive always loved the stance of a ZR2. This truck has been extremely reliable with very few exceptions. The new Colorado is ugly so I was glad I was able to find the ZR2 and in my favorite color, arrest-me red. The wide stance of the vehicle makes it actually corner exceptionally well. Compared to my 1989 S10 Ext Cab 4WD the handling is like night and day. The 3.73 rear does seem to hurt mileage. With the taller 31" tires acceleration would probably suffer with a 3.42. Weak points, the taller springs give it very good ground clearance but it cant carry the load of my 89. The tank sender is a problem as is the plastic door handle for the 3rd door and the fogs are too high to be of any use.

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  Good when it wants to be - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bryguyknowsall - November 23 - 1:49 pm

  I bought the car back in 07 with 42,000 miles on it. Since then I had to replace the rack and pinion, inner and outer tierods. Back swaybar. Completely overhauled the braking system. The engine is still purring. Great car since I bought it with all these problems with it in the first place. Nice car lovin the rust on the gas dispenser. Love the way the fabric on the roof is peeling. But it never really left me stranded.

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  Tahoe for the Sprited - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By stage98 - November 23 - 11:57 am

  I am hard on the truck and push it like everything else in my life. The truck never fails to perform.OE Tires (Dueler HT) wore uncomfortably quick but there is 40000 on them. Love the truck and can see it in my driveway for years to come unless chevy arranges a camaro replacement

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  Best Buy Pickup - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By shotgunbill - November 23 - 6:43 am

  This is a smooth riding, but capable work truck. I have hauled firewood to building materials and everything in between. It beats any other pickup in its class for fuel mileage, yet has enough power to get things done. I think GMs quality has improved a lot over the last ten years. I love the layout of the cab, and the special features. The 4.3 V6 has decent power- low end torque, cruises at the high teens of rpm at 65 mph. It handles well and brakes good. When I trade in my SUV I plan on buying a Tahoe, I hope before they restyle it. While I like the current Chevy over Ford or Dodge , I like the style of the 2002s better.

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  reliable, comfortable cruiser - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Pete - November 22 - 4:57 pm

  Bought this as a used, first car for a new driver due to good crash test ratings. Over the 5 yrs we have had it, I am impressed with the comfortable, quiet ride and high overall reliability and low operating costs.. Highly recommended..