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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  Good Value For Money Car - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By mercara - March 4 - 10:27 am

  I bought this car used in 2000 with about 35K miles. It now has 138K miles and still drives like it will go to 200K at least. As others have pointed out it gives great mileage. Had the alternator replaced but no manifold issues yet. Honestly for the price I paid in 2000, I have got full use out of this car. If it died on me today, I wouldnt feel bad since I got my moneys worth out of this car. If you find a low mileage car that has been maintained well, it is a good value.

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  beware of brakes - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Fast Eddie - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Within a 1 month time span and with less than 1000 miles left on the warranty, brake problems started to happen. First, the abs would kick in when pulling into a parking spot at 5 mph. After taking it to the dealer to have this adjusted (and to have the clunking slip yoke replaced), the next day the front passenger side brake hose blew. 1 week after this was replaced, the abs module went. Luckily, it was under warranty since the dealer quoted me $1200 for a new one.

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  beware of brakes - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By fast eddie - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Within a 1 month time span and with less than 1000 miles left on the warranty, brake problems started to happen. First, the abs would kick in when pulling into a parking spot at 5 mph. After taking it to the dealer to have this adjusted (and to have the clunking slip yoke replaced), the next day the front passenger side brake hose blew. 1 week after this was replaced, the abs module went. Luckily, it was under warranty since the dealer quoted me $1200 for a new one.

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  The FACTS! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Seabird - March 4 - 10:00 am

  So far shes treated me right. She runs good and handles great. The engine may have 270 horses, but she lacks low end torque and it leaves her feeling sluggish off the start. Once shes up in speed the horses come alive!

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  Switching SUV - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Steven - March 4 - 8:07 am

  I found this SUV to be a good alternative to my 2003 Lexus RX 300. It has good room and handles well. It seems to understeer a little but no problems. Its functional even though ite interior quality is a little inferior. Splash guard below door extends out too far and interferes when exiting.

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  Sheldon Richards - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By sheldon richards - March 3 - 2:16 pm

  The positives are the room for six people, especially with a family. I like the lifted hood design and the fog lamps are awesome (however I get brighted a lot from oncoming traffic)! The wind noise in WY, does make it a little noisy down the interstate. Feel safe driving it. Although the extended mirrors are nice, they vibrate so bad that you cannot see out of them going down the highway (even on a smooth highway). Had some difficulties with the mirrors sticking in retract mode. Gas mileage is TERRIBLE! Averaging 11.7 miles per gallon. I have used 1,100 gallons of fuel since April, with approximately 13,000 miles on it, not pulling any weight.

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  Just Purchased - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Vitajay - March 3 - 12:36 pm

  Reason: cars are a challenge for my knees, getting in and out. Also we (mom and son) are 62 and 65, so we needed leg room. It drives nicely and I spoke with other Equinox owners who had nothing but nice things to say. Everybodys experience is different, but so far Ive driven to work and back and the ride is smooth. I will have good gas mileage since my travel to work is mainly highway. Time will tell if I made a good decision.

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  Aggravating Equinox - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By icemate - March 3 - 12:16 pm

  Have had auto for 3 months and have had to have a battery jump several times already. This vehicle has problems with windows going down on their own resulting in rain and snow to enter. Also at times does not allow you to lock vehicle so shopping is a problem. Mileage is very good, even in city driving. Ride is stiff and interior looks cheap. Remote start is aftermarket done by dealer and has problems. Starts at random and kills battery as radio and wipers continue to run until battery is dead. Should have bought a different auto from another mfg.

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  Fell out of Love...FAST!!! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By bowtiegirl - March 1 - 9:40 am

  We absolutely loved our HHR Panel LT with its retro design. White with floor boards, heated leather seats, etc... Before the cowl seal leak that flooded the passenger side floor board and soaked the carpet with 3+ inches of rain water. It was fixed according to the local Chevy service department under warranty but, who knows? will it leak again? the thought of another rain water leak makes me sick! Fell out of love fast!

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  But for poor mileage, nice vehicle - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By EMB - February 27 - 11:00 pm

  Seat belt latches placed too inconveniently close to center storage/armrest. Hard to latch up and thus discourages use thereof. Mileage not too good with air conditioning running and AWD. Average about 15 in city driving. Could be better. Visability improved. Storage in rear improved. Comfortable ride and like a passenger vehicle and not a truck. Easy entry and exit. Seating ergonomics good. But, power seat does not have seat back adjustment in power mode. Lack of foresight by engineers. Minor problem but for some short person may be a problem.