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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  Fun, Fun, Fun - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By rbeasley - August 3 - 10:45 am

  Bought a 1LT auto, with sunroof. I am over 60 and this car makes me feel young like when I had my 67 when I was 22. This car has a solid feel. The V6 is very quick. I average between 24 -28 MPG in mixed driving. Ride is good and better than the 2011 Mustang I test drove. Backing up is not great because of the view, but with the backup camera in the 2012 that will help. This car also gets the looks, people are always looking at it.

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  No help from GM - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By dberry8953 - August 2 - 1:45 pm

  4.5 years since bought we bought our 2006 Equinox new and 47k, transmission failed on us. Torque converter failed according to the transmission repair facility. $2700 to overhaul/repair. Car is now back and running ok but request to GM for full or partial reimbursement was denied. Looks like the General has seen our last automotive purchase.

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  So far, So good! - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By trailstrider - August 2 - 11:27 am

  I purchased this vehicle a couple of weeks ago. Prior to buying this car, I owned a 10 year old truck that got 15 mpg on the highway. My first week of driving was mainly around town showing people my new car. Gas mileage was just ok at around 21 mpg. I was hoping for better. I finally got to do a road trip (Around 150 miles) and I got 27.7 mpg on the highway. On the return home trip I got 28.5 mpg. I really notice a difference in gas mileage when driving 65 vs 75. If you drive this car between 65 and 70 on the highway you will get better than 25 mpg. If you are constantly on the gas, you will get closer to 20.

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  honest review - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By hale1 - August 2 - 11:07 am

  I bought my Equinox 4 weeks ago and I love it. I saw a lot of negative reviews out there so I was a little worried, but once you drive the thing you are sold! MPG was the biggest complaint I read, but people have to realize you have to drive like a granny and it will get the EPA MPG. If I pay attention to my gas pedal I average about 24 around town and I drove it on the interstate/backroads to the lake house and got 31mpg. It should get better once broke in about 5000 miles. Interior is amazing and I love the way it drives. Some complain about the controls on the radio being hard to reach, but why reach when its on your steering wheel? Great Chevy at a great price. LS w/ blue tooth 22000.

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  Snowing in July?? Paint is flaking everywhere! - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By blueextc3221 - August 1 - 9:18 am

  Purchased NEW 2009 Garage kept Cobalt LT Black coupe. After only 6 months - clearcoat on aluminum rims bubbling and flaking. Steering wheel/system rattles & thunks over small bumps after about 10K miles (same problem as my 06). Recall "fix" made no difference. I Drive a lot. 64K of todays writing... just noticed a half-dollar sized area of paint bubbling on the roof.... and chrome on the inside passenger door handle that is NEVER used is bubbling. I know I drive a bunch - but these are cosmetic issues GM will not cover after 36K warranty is up. I have 36K in the first 6 months!! Cheap car with cheap plastic parts - and paint issues not isolated to Cobalt. Black is bad on Camaros too.

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  piece of junk - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By martin71 - July 30 - 8:23 pm

  I bought this car new in 2009, I use to but toyota, but I thought Id give them a chance. It was the biggest mistake I have ever done. Right now I am under the lemon law. Engine keeps missfiring. just had worked on again, Chevy said that they would compensate me for my problems, but when I asked the to give me a 2 year extended warrenty. They said no the best they could is give me is free maintence for a year. Wow free oil changes. Way to go Chevy, thats how you take care off your customers. Once this car is paid off, I will dump it fast. Will be going back to Toyota.

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  Considering a Cruze Eco for the MPG, youll be dissappointed - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By grockin2004 - July 30 - 12:54 pm

  Just put my first 5,000 miles on my new 2011 Cruze. Living with the car is much different than my first impressions. I commute about 90 miles a day with 90% of my drive time spent on a freeway and the cruise control set at 60 - 65 MPH. Average MPG : 36.6 I reset the meter at the beginning of my work week. By Friday, same result. Seats are a little too stiff for long distances. Arm rests are non-existent. The tiny center console lid slides forward a little, but does not lock into the forward position. Hard to get comfortable. Automatic transmission refuses to up shift until engine is near red line and down shifts too soon when coming to a stop. Irritating at times! Good engine power.

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  10,026 miles later - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By wheresmyvolt - July 30 - 6:08 am

  After 7 months and 10,026 miles I have to say that the Volt bests even our beloved Prius. Over its life to date, I have used only 69.3 gallons of gasoline, or 144.6 mpg. I am getting between 42 and 48 miles of battery driving each day of my 72-mile commute. To fully charge the battery for those 42-47 miles it costs 82 cents. I am getting between 35 and 41 mpg when the internal combustion engine is recharging the battery.

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  Cruzin in Philly - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cruzinphilly - July 29 - 3:20 pm

  Chevy got this right! I have a 40 mile round trip commute to work, so I absolutely needed a car that was fuel efficient. I came to peace with the fact that this meant I would more than likely have to drive a small sedan that would cause points to be deducted from my “man card”, but that was not the case with the Cruze. It is quick off the line when you need it and has a good quality interior. I don’t feel cramped when I drive it (I am 6’1 215lbs) plus the seats are comfortable. The car is very well equipped for its price and give you allot features for the buck, like remote start, XM, Bluetooth, and rear park assist for 20k (I paid 20,500 for a 1LT).

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  Great Vehicle - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By flyguy15 - July 28 - 4:31 pm

  100% pleased. I bought this car for myself, but my wife loves it so much that I am ordering another one for her. Forget any negative press you may have heard - you have to drive it to appreciate it. I have owned sports cars, SUVs, sport sedans (BMW M5) and this car is the best all around car. The technology is amazing. I can charge at home and at the office and have only used about 1.67 gallons of gas in a month. It costs more to wash the car than put gas in! Go to a dealer and drive one. Im 62" and have plenty of room.