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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  Love it! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Scott - February 17 - 12:49 pm

  I have owned this car for over a year now and I love it. I would recommend this car to anyone. I have yet to have a problem with it. Now its not the most comfortable or stand out interior I have seen, but for the price its a great car. The handling is very good, I have driven a few other new cars (Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, Civic) I prefer the handling of the Cobalt. Its not sporty, just precise and easy.

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  Just Got It - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By JHaight - February 16 - 10:00 am

  Was looking for something that would handle our growing family. Only have 200 miles on it so far. Im 63" and I could sit in the back row. Wife loves it. Got 6k off in incentives, which made it a reasonable purchase. Had no problems pulling the pontoon boat. I can tell it sat on the lot, it has some cosmetic issues. A gasket on the back hatch needs to be replaced (covered by warranty, no prob.). A small tear in upholstery on the passenger door and discoloring(?)of the plastic exterior trim. Dont know if the last two are going to be issues or not... havent spoke to the dealer about them.

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  Love form Saudi Arabia - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Mohammed Omar - February 15 - 3:31 am

  I imported my Suburban from New Jersey to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. it had 130K when I purchased it. My family traveled with it thousands miles around the Kingdom, its brilliant on highways & very strongly-built, every thing in it says you cant break me. Ive added about 12K, praises to God, its never been to a mechanic, except for fluids and AC gas refilling. Nephews & nieces are crazy to ride it. they like jumping to third row. Holidays without it are boring. I load it with family members. I have to admit that Im in love of this vehicle and wish to afford the 2009 one.

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  Im happy - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By R Adler - February 14 - 11:26 pm

  I researched, compared, and test drove the Honda CRV, Toyota Rav 4, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Hyundia Santa Fe, Ford Escape, and the Nissan XTerra. I found that although nothing in life is perfect, the Equinox was the best choice. It has the best safety rating, the most passenger and cargo room, the best "feel" on the road, the best exterior design, and the most for the money. Sure it turns wide, but its only 3 inches shoter than some full- sizr SUVs and that is to be expected. Fuel consumtion could be better, but is actually better than most of the vehicles mentioned above. Cheap looking interior? Maybe, but come on....its a Chevy, not a Mercedes. My family and I are so far very pleased.

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  Her name is Queenie Equinox - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Amanda - February 14 - 11:22 pm

  I love my new Equinox. I was originally looking for a Honda CR-V, but the moment I saw the Equinox I switched. Honda CR-Vs seems cheap looking compared to the Chevy Equinox. Im also glad to buy American.

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  Stay away - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By BC - February 14 - 9:32 pm

  Bought this new for my wife and was surprise to see the options I bought on my 98 model were now standard. By the end of 6 years though the A/C had been worked on twice and no longer worked (unless you wanted hot air). Fuel pump replaced. Door gaskets never sealed properly so there was always air and noise.

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  Glad I bought it - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By BC - February 14 - 9:25 pm

  Traded it in today after just shy of 11 years. Over 128,000 miles an it was the most reliable car I ever owned. I didnt lose sleep over $4/gal gas because this baby got over 30mpg. My biggest complaint was that the brakes and rotors generally only lasted 25-30k miles. The exhaust tended to be the next biggest issue but I dont think I ever had to replace the catalytic converter or the expensive pipe that came off of it. Pipe was rusted through when I traded it though. I didnt wash the car much and the only rust was near the bottom of the doors and I live in upstate NY where they love to salt the roads. 5 speed manual was fun to drive. Climate control fan had to be on 3 (of 4) to blow by year 3.

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  Excellent for the price - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Mike - February 14 - 6:25 pm

  I bought the truck new in 2004 and he went to the test, off road, carried load, pulling stuff. For a 4cyl this very good. I will keep it until he to the junk yard.

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  Most Underrated SUV On The Market - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mel Turner - February 13 - 10:59 pm

  I purchased my 2005 TB, LS 4x4 in Jan 2007 with 97,000 miles. I paid $11,000. High mileage doesnt scare me. As long as you perform scheduled maintenance, todays engines are engineered to last 500,0000 miles or more. I installed DVD system, I put Continental tires on and had 100,000 service: tune-up, coolant and all fluids changed, all filters and engine belts changed. At 130,000 miles, my SUV runs like it just left the showroom floor. The most dependable car Ive ever driven, including Toyota. I get excellent gas mileage for an SUV with a 6 cylinder truck engine. 4x4 extremey sure footed in inclement weather. I love my TrailBlazer.

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  Z71 4 dr SB Review - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By NW CHevy Driver - February 13 - 7:10 pm

  OK, I was looking at a Tundra for the longest time. My wife said the Chevy was more comfortable. Shes right. I love this truck. The Auto 4x4 is a great feature. The daytime headlights can be turned off now. There is an additional tunable radio in the back for the passengers that can be indepentently tuned to regular radio stations including the XM radio (optional). 2 Headphone jacks on the rear console next to additional heat/ac vents.