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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  Covert Onstar Snoop - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By Ray - August 15 - 9:30 am

  Chevy has done a very good job in the design of this vehicle, but once again the powers that be has has sullied this otherwise fine car. I am mainly referring to Onstar. They claim that the microphone bug in car will not be turned unless the air bag is deployed, and being able to track the cars location within 90 feet (only if a stolen police report is filed, they claim) leaves much to be desired. Is it possible that someone could payoff an Onstar Employee to track or turn on the onboard mike without drivers knowledge. I believe so. Per Chevy dealer I have disconnected the mike and 4 of the 5 plug ins to Onstar box. One needed to start car, but can the vehicle still be tracked?

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  Really good family car for the price! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Georgia Driver - August 15 - 3:53 am

  Weve had the car for about a 1.5 years now. It has not been taken to the shop even once in all that time. The price was excellent for the quality. The layout and design of the trunk and backseats are really quite good. The seats in the front are very comfortable, but the ones in the back are just a little uncomfortable.

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  The litte car that could. - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By anthony farmer - August 14 - 2:55 pm

  I got my 1998 Chevy cavalier from my parents and love it. I am currenty still going to school and working and loving the car. This car is the best on gas mileage and a really good car. My car now has 222,076 miles on it and all I have ever done to it is regular maintenance except there was a little time period when it was overheating bad but it turned out it was my fan. I got it fixed and it runs like a top. My advice to anyone is if you can get one of these little boogers its best that you do cause it will save you so much money in the long run. By the way mine is the 2.2 liter 4 cylinder there the best.

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  Dont buy this junk. - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jerseyjoe - August 14 - 1:08 pm

  I guess the old saying is you get what you pay for. Well in 2007 I bought a 2006 aveo with 16, ooo miles on it and its been in the shop every few months for one thing or another. 1st thing was bad a/c compressor. 2nd thing was faulty computer-and now that the 3 year warranty is up and the vehicle only having 27,000 miles the freeze plug went on it causing the car to over heat blowing the head gasket, so I have a 3 year old car with 27,000 miles that needs a new engine, this car is not reliable or safe. Do yourself a favor and dont but this car. Its imported junk with a Chevy emblem on it. No Wonder gm went bankrupt.

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  Chevy Equinox - 2017 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ron - August 13 - 7:32 am

  the model even buicks doesn do not have back air vents When it is hot out setting in the back you get very warm They have them on there full size suv They had back vents on there 2003 buick suv There both G M products. why they didnt put in back vents for the A C and heat I dont know why.

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  Better than expected - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By donna - August 12 - 11:26 pm

  I would never have considered the cobalt prior to driving it as a rental. I was impressed by the headroom, handling, and quiet firm ride when on a parkway at speeds 60+ I also felt the seats were very comfortable and supportive and the car was overall "fun to drive". I would definitely consider purchasing this car particularly in view of their competitive pricing

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  Wow - 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Ford guy - August 12 - 6:55 pm

  I have had two suburbans now. I normally drive fords but the suburban is just a better rig than the expedition and the excursions is just too damn big. Anyway, it is true that these vehicles have a few weak spots. I have done the intake gasket, the radiator, power steering pump but that is about it. Both my suburbans required the above repairs at the same mileage. They are very predictable and considering how heavy duty these rigs are, not too bad in terms of maintenance. There simply isnt anything out there that can touch the suburban for its combination of utility, comfort, towing capacity, and yes fuel economy. Pound for pound this thing is as efficient as a honda civic.

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  Service Issues - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By WhatThe - August 12 - 10:00 am

  It was all fun until... 3 Recalls, Power steering failure, issues with the Air Bags and 2 visits to dealerships while I was on vacation!! ARGH!

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  good truck, rough ride - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Not Sure Yet? - August 12 - 10:00 am

  This truck will pull a house if thats what your in to. The only real negative is the ride. Its rough! My dealer says its within its specs but Im not sold on that.

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  Love at first sight....But - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Robert Smith - August 12 - 10:00 am

  After having the Equinox in my possession now for a couple of weeks I can say I love it in many ways but not without a few issues.....The backseat is very hard and uncompfortable and the headrests restrict your view (too High)..The stereo is hard to figure out but Im getting it. Lastly Im a little concerned about he transmission, (going down inclines it holds you back ) and just seems different from any other vehicle Ive ever driven...I guess time will tell on this issue