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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  Chevy hits a HOME RUN - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Petey B - March 16 - 10:00 am

  The Equinox is very smooth at all speeds, and was a pleasure to drive on a recent trip to the shore. The sliding rear seat was a huge plus for the trip because we have a 16-month old boy; when my wife and I sat in the front we could slide him forward as far as the seat could go to have him within an easy arms reach. When she wanted to sit in the back with him, we simply moved it all the way back and she had TONS of room to stretch out. Plenty of cargo room either way. The overall design of this SUV is outstanding. Many people say it looks like a Lexus SUV, and just think that I paid TENS of THOUSANDS LESS! This is by far the best vehicle Ive ever owned.

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  Only one minor flaw... - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Agent99 - March 16 - 10:00 am

  Has fantastic mileage. I used to own a NIssan Altima and this is my first switch to an SUV. The Equinox seems to get almost the same mileage as my Nissan sedan did! Fantastic for an SUV! However, besides the blind spots in the back, it does not have a dome light for the front (for the driver and passenger). Thats the only pain Ive had so far with it. Besides that, never any problems, very roomy and like I said, we paid about 23 (incl. taxes) for a base awd model. I highly recommend it!

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  Great car, Everybody should have one! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By TheCaptain - March 16 - 9:53 am

  Purchased on Sept. 1 06. 10000 Kms to date. This car is a blast to drive! I can barely stand to drive it slow. This car is not much of a town car, but is totally a highway car. Power is more than enough for daily driving, and space upfront is great. Rear seat space is excellent for a compact car. Trunk space could be a little better, but again, its a compact car. My only regret is I was unable to get the G85 Recaro Package (due to order date and GM product management difficulties)

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  Cobalt SS/SC - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By c0ld29 - March 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is perfect for me. I am in college and wanted a reliable, quick, and fuel efficient car. This car is all of the above. With 0-60 in 6 sec stock (with avaliable stage 2 upgrade under warranty even faster) and still getting 26-28 MPG in the city, and almost 40 on the interstate. I get compliments on the looks of the car all of the time also. This little car is awesome.

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  Very nice truck - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By PinoyRam - March 15 - 5:30 am

  Bought this truck for my wife, but wish I could drive it everyday. My six year old loves the moonroof, teenager loves the XM radio, both dogs like the removable rear glass window so they can stick their head inside while riding in the bed. The only thing my wife complains about is parking. As far as problems, the oxygen sensor had to be replaced at 2500 miles and one of the speed sensors malfunctioned (5000 miles) so the check ABS and traction control lights came on.

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  Ideal Rental Car - Not a car to own - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By solistide - March 15 - 3:13 am

  Probably the plainest, drabbest vehicle that can be called a "car", an ideal vehicle for a rental lot -- doesnt stand out. Drives like a log on wheels, changing lanes is arduous, odd ignition placement: hard to reach in this car, blocked by oversized steering wheel. Horn pressure points on the SIDES of the wheel instead of the CENTER, and out-of-the-way placement of the drive stick. Problems Ive had: ABS & brake system must be reset by dealer after any hard braking. Terrible handling, poorly designed seats, significant road and engine noise. But, it is also VERY safe, like putting an extremely heavy helmet on a babys head when he first learns to walk.

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  The many uses of Avalanche - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Art Arnold - March 14 - 6:03 pm

  I have had an Avalanche for 1 1/2 years. I have used it to go to beach, go on trips with my sons baseball team (transporting team players and equipment), go on vacations, and also to go out on the town. Being a contractor, I have used this vehicle on my jobs to transport materials and tools. I have loaded this vehicle up with lots of plywood, lumber, concrete, a/c equipment, landscaping materials, cabinets, office furniture, and many other things. The great part about it is that many of the times that certain materials were being transported, it was raining and none of it got wet, because of the Avalanches closed in design. This vehicle is great in every way, for fun, family, and work.

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  vtm37 - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By vtm37 - March 14 - 9:43 am

  It does not have enough horsepower. When moving from a dead stop it feels like you really have to push the gas pedal hard, but is adequate on the highway for passing. The engine has whirring noise when taking off from dead stop that is very noticble. Seat belt hookup with the arm rests down is difficult. Handles very well.

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  Nice truck!!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Griffin - March 13 - 9:55 pm

  We bought our Tahoe when it was only 6 months old. We instantly fell in love with it. It now has 100,000 miles on it and we have no plans on getting rid of it! It plows through anything and is invaluable in the snow! We were thankful of our 5 year warranty, though. The master brake cylinder went out at about 80k, the U-joints went out twice, and all new brakes. Its ironic, though, because since the warranty expired, there has been no problems for a few years! It is the best there is for towing, off-road, and driving around town. Tahoes are hit or miss. You either get lucky with a very good one, like us, or you end up with a real lemon. Be careful, and good luck!

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  My big black Burb - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By bob - March 13 - 2:46 pm

  Great truck, last year of the 42 gallon tankers, made 600 nonstop miles on a topped off tank 2 times! Pulls anything, runs mud well with good rubber, good clearance. Cruises the highway effortlessly at 80, and really smooths out those 3/4 ton shocks. Holds 7 adults, or with the 3rd seat out, 4 and gear for a week of hunting in Canada. Havent had that 3rd seat in but about 5 times in almost 6yrs. Maintenance has been very good- besides normal service, only 2 batteries, 1 starter, 1 fuel pump,and a bad transmission filter. I will drive this beast till it dies or till I cannot afford the gas, and it will go much higher than it is now before I give in. Only hope I can afford another new one when it goes