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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  Overstated MPG - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By lolaponi - November 17 - 9:55 am

  I just bought a 2011 Equinox. I have been driving a V6 mustang for 11 years that gave me 18/22 and when I was looking to replace it after 11 years I decided on the Equinox due to its 22/32 MPG. I bought the 4 cyl engine thinking it will save in gas . . . big mistake! I should have just gotten the V6 as it is driving my normal drive I only got 19 MPG 80 % highway driving!! This overstating of MPG is a rip off to the consumers!! At this rate, I am no more better in gas mileage with my mustang who can zip in and out of traffic!! I will give it this winter to rate how well this AWD will do in the snow and ice before I complete this entire review

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  P Poor car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By davidnc1 - November 16 - 10:25 am

  Bought the car with 4k miles in 2008. Rear tires gone at 11000 miles. Had no heat at idle. Dealer replaced 1st set of head gaskets at 14000. Got 2nd set at 46000. Ran hot at 55000 miles on the interstate. Intake gasket leaking. Transmission has a hesitation when cold. Then bangs into gear and sometimes chirps the tires. Transmission slips after extended idle. 2 dealerships cant find problem. Many minor problems with interior and exterior. I was a GM technician for many years and have always had a Chevy in the driveway. This is the last one. Impalas are NOT American made. Made in Canada.

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  Why Chevy Still Doesnt Get It - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By dhoff457 - November 16 - 7:16 am

  We bought a 2011 Equinox and loved it - until yesterday. Five months old and the car simply died - while driving on the highway at 60 mph. Not what youd expect from a new car - stuff happens but what happened next clarifies why with all the gains theyve made, Chevy has a LONG way to go when it comes to understanding and serving their customer. When we the car died, we were able to pull over and call OnStar. They remotely diagnosed the issue (power train and transmission problems). But at this point they told us we needed to call ahead to the dealer to let them know we were getting towed there and they would not forward their diagnosis info to the dealer ("theyll run their own").

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  Bullet-proof engine and tranny, but.... - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By hamhock - November 15 - 8:07 am

  Ive owned this truck for 8+ years and am generally happy with it. I replaced the alternator in 2006, but the biggest problem has been the fuel pumps. As of 2011, the truck is on its 3rd fuel pump. Local mechanic says Chevy/GMC fuel pumps burn out every 5 years or so, and as the fuel tank needs to be dropped (or bed removed), it is a very expensive ($700-$1200) repair due to labor costs. Recently, an exhaust manifold bolt failed due to corrosion, but it was a quick and easy fix. Overall, this truck is pretty solid. Its old, but the engine, clutch and transmission have been trouble-free. It would cost too much to replace, so a few hundred bucks a year sure beats a monthly car payment.

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  If you are considering buying this, DONT. - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By henniferx3 - November 14 - 7:21 pm

  Complete waste of money.So bad I probably wont buy a chevy EVER again. I bought my 08 cobalt at the end of 08, it had 29000 miles on it, bought it for $9300..the carfax said it was in the shop for minor electrical problems, and I had just figured they were all gone because it got fixed. WRONG. About 2 months after owning this car, my power steering went out. Next, my ignition and gear shifter. Then one day when I was driving the locks started locking and unlocking very fast and since then all the buttons including for the windows quit working. Not to mention I have ONE speaker out of 6 that works now. Theres just too much to type. Battery dies for NO reason..All electrical problems.

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  Blown head gasket - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By loulou8 - November 14 - 5:29 pm

  The car good the 1st year I bought it and then I started having problems with it running hot. So I took it to the car dealership to have it checked out and they checked it and they told me it was the cooling fans wasnt working which they was. Then the replaced the fans $872.29 and put in a new thermostat included. Then they called me back and told me it was still running hot that the head gasket was blown. Is there a recall on this type of car.

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  A Perfect Car - 2012 Chevrolet Impala
  By smoothoperater - November 13 - 10:23 pm

  My 2012 Impala is one of the best driving cars I have ever been in. It has plenty of power, rides very smooth and Handles great. The Onstar system gives more accurate directions than Cars with onscreen navigation systems. I drove a lot of vehicles including some imports before buying. The Impala rides and drives as good or better than them. No it doesnt have a fancy display screen but the Onstar system works better. It also is easier to get in and out of than smaller cars.

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  Saved My Life So I Got Another One - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By car_cruzer - November 11 - 3:42 pm

  Got the 2012 Cruze after a drunk driver totaled my 2011. I love my Cruze! I got mine in Topez Blue Metallic. The Interior is welcoming and feels more upscale then a Toyota or Honda. The price was right given the deal I could get through my bank. If you want more options in a smaller package for the same price consider the sonic.

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  Improve a few things and this will be a great vehicle - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By support_usa - November 10 - 10:04 pm

  Bought mine new. I feel ALL vehicles are over-priced. I do like this SUV. Great styling, it starts right up, drives very nice and after 2+ years now and 36K miles no service trips required. I was in an accident. An Isuzu Trooper pulled out into traffic from a gas station and hit me at the rear door & panel area. Airbags deployed. My vehicle did well in the collision, much better than the Trooper. The driver of the Trooper was hurt (legs). Trooper had to be towed. I would recommend this vehicle over comparable vehicles (Toyota and Honda), but see my suggested improvements. If they fix those I would strongly recommend. Transmission shifting sometimes gets confused.

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  First 1000 miles - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By bannon - November 10 - 9:24 am

  Put my first 1000 miles on it, and so far no complaints. Fuel mileage over all is 24 mpg, getting around 29 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city. I driver around 70 mph on the highway to give you an idea. Ride is smooth and quite! Plenty of power for this size of vehicle from a 4 cylinder engine. Chose the Equinox over the Terrain due to the cool blue/white interior lighting, the red of the Terrain is tough to take on a long trip. Now will see how it holds up over the years and miles.