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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  It"s built CHEAP - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Cayman LT2(LTZ) - September 6 - 8:29 am

  I find you get alot for your money but Ive had my car only a year and 6 months and already had the left front and the right front axle changed along with a door handle that fell of an interior passenger visor. I also had to have my ac panel changed because of peeling and now Im awaiting a passenger door lock controller and a front right head light. It makes me wonder how much Im going to have to spend after the 2 YEAR warranty if I will have to bear these frequent visits to the garage without even being in an accident and owning a new car. I would suggest a different car. Im think of the new Audi cross over Hyundia. By the way I hate the unsteady cup holders an cheap old fashion ac vents.

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  Cobalt - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Rich D - September 5 - 8:32 pm

  I have owned Toyotas for the past 12 years and I thought I would give an American Car a try. The Cobalt ride is great and the interior noise is super quiet for a small car. I am not impressed with the interior quality but I think the car has nice exterior lines. Gas mileage for city highway is right around 29 MPG... This car can accelerate! If this car is reliable I will continue to buy American. Overall a nice little car!

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  Smart car 2010 = Geo 89 - 2000 Chevrolet Metro
  By fatcatmat - September 5 - 6:10 pm

  Great little cars. I have owned 5 (five). I drive them an average of 180- 200 miles a day (sw washington to Seattle). A bit noisy but for the 500+ miles I get on a 10 gal tank of gas Ill live with it. I have saved thousands on gas. Easily enough to buy my wife the new Escape hybrid.

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  Very Happy With Our Purchase - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By stephen zeinner - September 5 - 3:20 am

  Since I have purchased foreign made cars over the past few years I was hesitant of getting back into the market for a domestic made automobile. We have been very happy with this vehicle. Gas mileage was a little disappointing at first but with mileage on car the mpg has improved to at least what the advertisement claims and at times a little better. I will gladly take a bit of inconvenience with the transmission shifting or not shifting especially for the mpgs.

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  Good car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By RNA - September 4 - 10:30 pm

  The Cavalier Coupe with the 2.2 OHV is not fast. With the 3 speed auto it is lacking in acceleration, but it is not unbearably slow, and it has good pickup in 2nd gear. Recently replaced Struts, front steering components, and Goodyear Tripletred tires result in an excellent ride, and handling is excellent. It handles curves at speed with a composed, solid feel. The interior is typical of old GM. Some cheap plastic bits, but a simple, easy layout. Brakes have solid pedal feel, along with rapid stops when needed. Lots of backseat room. Right now the A/C compressor needs replaced, but with 127,000 miles, it has lasted a long time. I run Valvoline Maxlife 5W-30 Synthetic Blend motor oil.

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  Love it but needs Improvements - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Ranger903 - September 4 - 10:00 am

  1. The starters in the new Vor-tec engines appear to be very fragile. Have replaced it three times in 3000 miles. 2. The AC relay switch is defective and appears to be going out in most 2003 Chevy models. They need to recall and fix this so the AC will consistently work. 3. Its fun to drive, looks good, and handles great. I am pleased with the product, but expect a truck starter to be heavy duty, not flimsy. 4. Chevy service has been outstanding. We may have had some problems but the service on the vehicle has been excellent. Just wish it had not needed it.

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  the ss silverado - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mel mel - September 4 - 10:00 am

  i bougtht this truck new and i was just so excited buying this and driving it i just didnt like paying for it but after a few months i realized it was well worth it. i was really suprized how much i could tow. i hauled a hummer hi from maine to washinghton state with no problem. i was amazed. and this truck has just about everything in it for options and very comfortable to.

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  great so far v-8 - 2009 Chevrolet Colorado
  By charlie - September 1 - 10:09 pm

  I bought a 2009 sle canyon v-8 about 2mon. ago it is by far one of the nicest little trucks I have owned or drove ever , it has enough power for about any thing a smaller truck could be used for . I havent pulled with it yet but I will be trying that very soon , I hope it will pull 3 baggers I fell like it should an hope it will , the interior is really comfortable an I have read many reviews about it an most say the finish is no good like the interior but I thank it is as nice as any I have seen , I dont really understand that but I guess there is a reason but I dont know . An guys an girls the handling is great right on just cant find any after market air filters an pipes V8

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  Good News - Bad News - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Richard - September 1 - 4:38 pm

  I have owned my 2009 Traverse LTZ since Feb. 2009. I love everything about it, except one thing. The bad news is that one thing was the primary reason I bought the vehicle. The Traverse is advertised as getting 18mpg in the city and 24mpg on the highway. I am getting nowhere near that. My combined mpg has been 17.4mpg with roughly 50-50 city/highway mix. This is AFTER driving like I am 80 years old. I have never owned a vehicle so far below EPA mileage estimates. This is ridiculous. Otherwise, an outstanding vehicle. I am getting 19to20 mpg on the highway and 15to16 mpg in the city.

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  My Dream Vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By queeneene - August 31 - 10:47 am

  I cant remember if its LT or LS. Its in the shop right now for the a/c- heat issues Ive had with it since I bought it used a year ago. I have 3 kids and 2Lg dogs, it was excellent for driving from Alaska to La. last summer besides the heat going out while we were in the mts and a/c not working once we got in the southern states. Ar. dealership changed a part $250, Mechanic here changed parts twice $800+, Dealership here is trying to charge me $2,000 to replace half the a/c :( The shocks make it ride like a Cadillac. Flex fuel doesnt seem to make that big a difference. It does guzzle oil. The captains chairs in the center would be ideal in all of these large SUVs and make my job easier.