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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  Unsatisfied with Malibu - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By vectorer - October 8 - 2:23 pm

  Overall the car is not completely bad. It is a great car for highway trip, Extremely comfortable for 4 people, good trunk space. the 4 cyl engine is very good on power and economy, cannot imagine the car with the V-6. Great looks in and out.

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  I love this car - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By mholt9 - October 7 - 9:50 pm

  I test drove the Volt because I wanted to contribute to a reduction in our reliance on oil for 97% of our critical transportation needs. I bought the Volt because I loved everything about the car. The Volts battery life allows me to complete my 42 mile round-trip commute without using a drop of gasoline. But, I can also take long trips without any "range anxiety." I have driven 6,500 miles, including some interstate trips on which I used a total of 42 gallons of gas. Otherwise, its all electric. Either way, the car is a joy to drive because it is so smooth and fluid -- refined may be a better description.

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  Its a love/hate relationship! - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By dustinjoe - October 7 - 12:38 am

  Love my car. I am the 2nd owner. Its fun to drive, reliable, and its a head-turner. I have the LTZ. Its bright red and got all the chrome around it and drives a lot of attention. At 49000 the car started using two quarts of oil around every 2000 miles. The salesman said it was normal. Yeah right. My door locks have began to act up and the a/c system doesnt work right sometimes. I love my car, but im afraid its going to start using more oil. No leak can to be found and it doesnt seem to be burning the oil. Thats really my only concern. I absolutely love driving the car. It gets excellent gas mileage and is very comfortable. Will buy again when all the bugs are worked out of it.

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  Love My Burb - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By ginsnap - October 6 - 10:03 pm

  I purchased my 99 burb in 2002 with 36000 miles. it now has over 180000 miles. It has been reliable vehicle overall. I always kept up the maintenance, but as it got older more has to be repaired. which is typical of any vehicle I believe. Ive had it everywhere on vacations to hunting trips, Ive pulled campers and various trailers with no problem at all. I did have to replace the fuel pump four times. But I put some of that on my "mechanic". Now it leaks oil, not profusely, but it does, and I need to repair the cooling system. Not too bad for 180000 miles though. I loved it, took care of it, said Id keep it until it dies. Sadly, she just about has.

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  Pleased - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kaw2007 - October 5 - 5:13 pm

  Very pleased except all the rattling in the dash!! Also, 2 weeks of owning my car and the driver side and passenger side speakers were rattling and blown! (No, i didnt cause this with bass, etc.) Also, i noticed at times stalling when i was driving which was due to the recall my car was under after 2 months of owning it. Got the solenoid valves replaced and so far so good. People rememeber- its a 4 CYLINDER! Its not gonna "get up" and give u "horse power". If you need "power" dont go with the equinox cuz yes u will be dissapointed, especially with the 4 cyl which if driven correctly can give you close to 30 mpg.

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  Been a great vehicle for over 6 years now - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By dakar1 - October 5 - 9:25 am

  I really love my Avalanche. I bought it new and has been a great vehicle. Ive had zero engine issues. things Ive done are had to replace speedometer that sprung one day when it was about 10 below 0 outside. Had to have a airbag sensor replaced and replaced one of the oxygen sensors - which I found out is recommended after about 5 years anyway. Also a transmission solenoid was replaced, that was only $120 w/labor. I run the E85 a lot in the summer and I tow a heavy camper with it. Its not the best towing vehicle for something heavy but it gets by. I run Amsoil and engine still runs like new with 65k.

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  the car is a Beast - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By beebopboo - October 4 - 5:20 pm

  i couldnt have asked for a better first car, the cavelier gets a crappy rap but its really a decent, reliable car. mine has just gotten over the 100,000 mile mark and it hasent given me any problems. just like any car if you treat it right and take good care of it youll get the maximum preformance. so all you people who talk down on the cavelier, maybe its not the car at all maybe its just the way you run it..

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  Many Problems with my car - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By kathrynm - October 4 - 5:18 pm

  Car broke down every day for three months. I was taking bus because my new car stalled five-six times every hour...on freeways and bridges, all the time. Finally, problem: Oxygen Sensor. Month 2: Windshield cracked bottom to top. Month three: Sway bar kept creaking like a 40 year old clunker. They have re-greased it four times and I still get the same story.just needs grease (every three-four weeks). Rear passenger windows dont roll up...inside is now wet and moldy. Driver floor mat keeps getting caught in clutch pedal. Stereo stopped working. Interior light does not work. Ignition problem. Takes four to five tries...four bent keys...have to twist steering wheel and wiggle. I am sad.

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  worst car ever - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By subieman5 - October 2 - 8:17 pm

  Owned the 2010 equinox for two years it is starting to act like a 20 year old car, shudders all the time and the engine gasket seals have started to leak oil. think its time to go and buy a car that is is made the real way not the cheap way as most US built cars are made. Think ill talk my wife into getting the Subaru forrester as their is not to many complaints made about. Do not recommend or plan to ever buy GM car again, worst ever purchase ive made.

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  Great vehicle all around, but... - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By candurandu - October 2 - 5:46 pm

  I use the Equinox for work and drive it in all conditions like rain, snow and total darkness. Like others have said, acceleration is adequate and MPG is so-so. The exterior look is handsome, if somewhat generic and reliability has been outstanding. The only real beef I have is a personal taste issue and it has to do with interior color choices. My Chevy has a black interior with a weird gray fabric on the seats and backrest all set off with red stitching. Really? Someone looked at this design and decided middle America would go crazy over this tonal mishmash? I think many sales have been lost due to this corporate decision as it appears to not be very stain resistant.