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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  Great car - 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By John Bierman - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Great little car, bought for my father when he was commuting 600-700 miles a week for less than $1000 from local GM dealer. Only work needed was a new battery and a new starter (althouth replacing just the solenoid probably would have fixed it as well). Love the styling on it, comfortable seats, good gas mileage (25 mpg or so in town, 30+ on the highway). Always as dependable as any car Ive had (although my old Datsun 210 wagon was pretty good too), with terrific ground clearance (a big help for getting through the snow where I live). Solid machine Id recommend to anyone needing good, cheap transportation!

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  great little car - 2000 Chevrolet Metro
  By dwcummin - May 16 - 2:00 am

  2nd Metro Ive owned and reliability was reason for purchasing again. I had 187000 on first Metro and was on original engine, clutch, and transmission. This one does not get the mileage the first one got and not as peppy either. It is more comfortable and has a/c.

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  Utter Disappointment. - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dullahan - May 15 - 10:35 pm

  This was my first brand new truck I bought. I previously owned a 1995 Chevy Cheyenne truck and loved it. I wished I never got rid of her. I only had my 2010 Silverado for 4 months before I traded in. Within 4000kms the transmission had to be replaced do to a loud whining noise. It took me months of battling with GM to get the transmission replaced. At one point the truck was at the dealer once a week. The driveline clunks loudly. The speakers vibrated and rattled. The back window of the truck squeaked and creaked. Passenger side door had something lose inside causing it to rattle as well. Within the first 1000kms the engine developed a ticking noise when warmed up. Terrible truck!

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  Great Car! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rluck9277 - May 15 - 8:06 pm

  I just bought my 2008 Malibu, it is a 2LT with 2.4L and 4-spd auto. It is a great car, best ride and handling of a midsize car I have been in. Bought with GMs employee pricing for everyone deal, and saved about $2500 of sticker price. The interior and exterior design of this car are very classy, and look more expensive then it really was.

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  My new car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By BigAls87Z28 - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I first saw the Maxx, and was very happy to see a good looking and powerful 5dr hatch in Chevys line up! I didnt want something big like the Magnum, or too small. The Maxx is just right! Good power and handling from the Epsilon chassis, and plenty of down low power from the 3.5. I would like to see a "SS" model with teh 3.9 and 6spd manual in the future.

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  best car built in canada - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By joe canadian - May 15 - 10:00 am

  2004 monte carlo ss is a great car

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  Great Little Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By cory395 - May 15 - 10:00 am

  In the past 18 yrs I have owned two four cylynder Nissan P/U trucks..I was redy for something Bigger, much bigger. I was shopping for a full size, NOT TOO USED, used truck under $20,000. I was not having a great deal of luck when the dealer asked me if I would be interested in a new truck under the same price. I bit his lead and went for it. He showed me the Colorado. I am very glad that I gave him my time. It may not be the FULL size truck that I was looking for but it is this: New, under 20K, more powerful than my previous Nissans and sporty as he-l looking. I got more truck than I was used to without the big sticker price and gas guzzling cost of

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  all is well but the cupholders ! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By special tchr - May 15 - 10:00 am

  The turning radius is great. Love the split fold-down seats for added cargo area. I can fold down half the rear seat for cargo and still have my daughter with me safe in her car seat. Car seats fit very well. The cup holders partially block the power ports when holders are being used. Instrument panel and dash may look less "flashy" but are very simple to read, use and access. Overall, I really love my Trailblazer but wish the power ports were in a different area.

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  customer feedback - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Richard&CarisaFuller - May 15 - 10:00 am

  problems with front struts from date of purchase. To much engine noise for new Vehicle. Vehicle not as roomy as advertised.Should be at least 215 hosepower.

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  a few complaints - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By army6894 - May 15 - 10:00 am

  The car is well built, fun to drive, and very comfortable. My only complaints are that there is no built in ashtray for smokers, and no shield to keep water out if window is partly down. Both these items have to be bought, ordered, and installed.Also, power window buttons on the center console was a dumb idea. Small things, but overall is a great SUV for the price.Previous problems with struts, smell, and water in tire well, have been fixed at factory on new 2005s