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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  Hits all the right marks - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Sugar Land Express - November 22 - 12:43 am

  Traded in a 2005 Honda CRV and considered trading for a new one. However, the Equinox is much more vehicle for the money and doesnt have the anonymous styling of the Honda. Parked it in an airport garage and when I returned from my trip a Lexus RX was parked next to it. Without the name badging, you could not have told the difference. The 6 speed auto is smooth and responsive, and the 6 cylinder, while a little thirstier, has plenty of pep. Interior design is well thought out and much classier than the competition. Waited several months to get the right exterior/interior color combination but it was worth it. Dont expect much discount off MSRP.

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  Corvette lite - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Kelly - November 21 - 3:26 pm

  We have owned the car about a month and it is a very fast car, we also own the new Mustang 5.0 with the performance package and they are very different rides. The Camaro, while luxurious still feels ferocious, the Mustang is smoother and a little tame. The technology in the Camaro is way better than the Mustang, it seems GM look over the Mustang and made everything better.

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  One of the WORST vehicles I ever owned - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Joe - November 21 - 10:57 am

  As I write this, the truck is back in the repair shop AGAIN. Problem with the air conditioner freezing up...and in Georgia, the AC is a MUST. Have had the truck for 8 months. AC froze up last year and they replaced parts and thought it was repaired. But, this season we are back to the same problems as last year. We are also experiencing the same problems as others with the vehicle shuddering as you try to accelerate while already moving. Of course this is after you press down on the accelerator and nothing happens...until it downshifts and throws you back in your seat. Really not impressed with the gas mileage either. Small truck with 6 cyl should do better. Thought about trading it in on a full sized truck...Best offer is $6,000 less than we paid. If you really want a small truck, the interior and features are nice...but if you want performance GO BIG. We are extremely unhappy with the reliability of this vehicle.......UPDATE: We dumped this vehicle. Totally UNRELIABLE.

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  Comfortable & reliable - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By G Nizin - November 21 - 8:10 am

  As with my previous Silverado, this vehicle has proved to be reliable,and comfortable. It is used to pull a utility trailer, & has done so, with no problem. OnStar is great for peace of mind & XM for entertainment on the long hauls.

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  Great SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Brittney - November 20 - 9:13 pm

  This is a fun SUV to drive, and great space, with the rear seat ability to slide back and forth, increasing leg room, or rear cargo space.

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  I love my Jeff Gordon Monte - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By jrrotten - November 19 - 4:53 am

  This car was purchased as an investment and is driven less than 2000 mi annually now. It averages 26 mph and gets 32 mpg on the freeways. I purchased it new, and it is covered in the garage. I think GM and Hendrix motor sport did a great job of designing the package. It holds the road like it was glued to it. I took the car on 2 road trips, one to Arizona and one to Colorado. Wonderful auto, it now has 24,240 miles on it.

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  my dream car - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By nursechell - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I have liked this vehicle for almost three years. I didnt buy one until they had the extended version. I am extremely happy with this SUV. It rides well, sits up high (but not too high), and gets okay gas milage for the kind of SUV that it is... The price has gone up now that they are popular, thats the only drawback.

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  Okay, but my Metro is way better!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Matthew L - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I own a 97 Geo Metro and my wife has the Aveo. At first she loved it, but after a time, she noticed some instability during windy conditions due to the twist beam axle that was not apparent with the fully independant suspension in the Metro. Secondly, the build quality, not material quality, is greatly superior in the Metro. Overall, fuel economy is better with the three speed auto in the Metro than with the four speed O/D auto in the Aveo. I am not impressed with the Aveo, and am now regretting it.

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  Fuel economy POOR - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By PKH - November 19 - 2:00 am

  NIce looking truck, comfortable. POOR gas Mileage!

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  my second hwy trotter - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jfp1042a - November 19 - 2:00 am

  my second one the first 1 gave me 190000 miles with no repairs oh yes a water pump condidering that i drive 40000 miles a year the cav is mrs old reliable and not a money pit either excellent superb in snow to roomy spacious enoiugh even 4 a big guy rar to in my 4 doors good heating sys decent satero good instruments to improve...... seats and larger brakes and all 4 disks please