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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  Finally took delivery after 3000 mi trip - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Himm2 - October 14 - 12:46 am

  We ordered our Gold Mist, Titanium interior 1LT with rear camera & vehicle interface packages 2 months before our long drive and we just missed by 1 day having it delivered in time. We took our 2005 Nissan Murano instead which is quite similar to the our new Equinox. I was delighted to average 35.8 MPG on my first 15 mile expressway trip. I have been spoiled by the Muranos Continuously Variable Transmission as the Equinox does have minor shifting lurches. The Interior is what sold me as the instrumentation is very well- laid out with great conveniences, storage, displays & comfort. Dealer gave us a free loaner for a month and many free services but no break on price other than $1500 rebate.

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  Chevy Rules - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Jake - October 13 - 7:23 pm

  This is a very good truck. It has not needed a repair for 6 years. I use it to snowplow and it performs very well. The seats are extremely comfortable for snowplowing all day. The back seats have a lot of room. I am overall very pleased with my truck.

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  best truck ever owned. - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dom16 - October 13 - 11:32 am

  i love my 2007 chevy silverado over all i love evrything about it, it takes off like a bat outta heck shifts are smoth dont even feel them really mean engine roar when peddle to the floor! stops on a dime i drive this truck HARD! im never easy on it iv towed boats,hay,68 skylark it felt like ther was nothing there i have not had replace anything on it i baught it new (demo truck) in 07 an not even replaced the goodyear stockers that wont pass the toothpick test an what made me even more happy is i live in texas we got 5inches of ice an with the bald tires didnt loose it at all with the tration control on!iv rode it hard an put up wet an it has not failed me once i highly sugest this truck!!!

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  Owner - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Alan G. - October 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd Z006 I have owned 9 corvettes in the past. This 2003 Z006 this by the far the best yet.

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  my truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By johnman - October 13 - 10:00 am

  i moved from a jeep to this new truck and i am very happy with it.

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  Love my Chevy TrailBlazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Student63 - October 13 - 10:00 am

  I have taken my TrailBlazer on many long trips and it was a pleasure each and every time. I am not to big or to small on the road. Gas mileage was excellent. Its a beautiful design inside and out. I have NO regrets buying my TrailBlazer. The OnStar option is a fantastic and handy feature, worth every penny.

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  Uncomfortable - 2016 Chevrolet Impala
  By AJ - October 13 - 2:39 am

  This is one of the least comfortable cars that I have ever driven. There are multiple ergonomic problems. First, the headrests ridiculously far forward. They push your head and neck forward putting strain on your neck. Half an hour behind the wheel and you will have a headache for the rest of the day. Next, the center console is too tall and too far forward and is not adjustable. With your hands on the steering wheel and 9 and 3, it is impossible to turn right without going through a series of elbow contortions. This is unsafe. If an emergency right turn were necessary it might not be possible. Third, the view in the rear view mirror is restricted to a small sliver. The rear parcel shelf is so high that it is barely possible to see the roof of the car following. The interior materials are cheap, but this is a rental car, so that is to be expected. However, a $30,000 car should at least have a leather wrapped steering wheel, not one made of foam rubber.

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  so so - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By gt - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Bought used with 51K on her. Ran great up to 80K. Timing chain broke, dinged the valves and $4,000 later had it back for a week before the timing chain broke again (dealer installed incorrectly) Now at 120,000 mile have had to replaced brakes and rotors three times, replaced alternator twice, transmission is going and the fuel regulator is about to go as well. replaced wiper motor as well. Comfortable/powerful ride, but will cost ~$10K to get another 100,000 miles out of it. Ready to move on to something else.

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  Excellent car - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Toxi - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Only have 1200 mi on our silver LS 4dr Cavalier- purchased over Labor Day weekend. Enjoy everything about it. Havent had snow/ice yet so dont know about the defroster. The a/c was a Godsend since that on our old 88 Mazda didnt work. We get 24 mpg running around town. Havent been on the highway yet. Getting used to the remote keyless entry. Traded in a 86 pontiac 6000 and 88 mazda 323- so weve moved into the 21st century.

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  Great little SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Kris Lehman - October 12 - 10:20 am

  Weve had the Nox for about 4 months and love it. Gas mileage is about 20- 22mpg. No problems yet. Love the moving seat in the back - has tons of leg room. Just took it on a long vacation and it worked out wonderfully.