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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  325,000 km and still runs like its brand new ! - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By seth16 - May 25 - 6:02 pm

  Ive had this truck for a year and a half , before that it was owned by my uncle . This truck has 325,000km on it , most are highway kilometers but it still runs like its brand new ! It has plenty of acceleration for what i need and hp ! The seats are very nice and great for long rides and easy to clean also . The back seat looks very decieving everyone before the go on think that it wil be very unconfourtable as you look at the size , but when they are sitting in it ( even for long trips ) they rather have this seat than the passangerseat because of all the leg room . I also love how it doesnt have carpet , easy to not get stains . I love this truck for many different reasons !

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  07 Colorado Z71 (Automatic)- The Beast - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By 6t7gtoman - May 25 - 4:40 pm

  The Beast is what my son calls his truck after dealing with a 20" snow while at college in Fayetteville, AR. He was one of only a few people that could get around and spent alot of time playing in the snow. He has had it about a year. Purchased with 25K miles. He has added about 14K. Been to the rockies for wilderness camping and goes to and from college. Only problem was the sliding rear window that was replaced under the GM Certified Warranty. Vehicle is an LT3 with leather, etc. He loves the look, way it drives, and the overall identity. The only downside is the stereo - but a replacement went in in a flash that added MP3 plug, bluetooth etc.

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  What a rip off - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By steffie26 - May 25 - 3:57 pm

  I bought this car in 2008 when the gas prices first began to rise based on the 24-28 in the city and 36-38 on the highway. So far its barely 20 in the city and 26 on the highways. Every time I take it in the dealership tells me no error codes register on the computer, everything is fine. I had to replace the tires an odd size at 7500 miles. I had had to replace the front end rods and they are squeaking again. The interior is wearing off and the drivers side door handle has snapped off and the back passengers side is ready also. My daughter bought an Aveo hatchback at the same time and has had hers in for acceleration problems 3 times and her passenger side air bags dont register. Lemon

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  As Advertised 2nd report - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ronguy - May 25 - 12:53 pm

  Returned from my 2nd 740 mile round trip to Rochester, MN and and am happy to report that this time I averaged 32.3 mpg on the highway. I did not drive over 65 miles per hour even though in MN the speed limit is 70. On the way home I averaged 29 mpg but attribute it the very high winds all the way home. Very happy with the Equinox.

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  Equinox V6 LT2 - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By red_rider - May 25 - 10:54 am

  I recently purchased an Equinox and absolutely love it. Im glad I got the v6, because it is perfect when you need that boost of speed. I currently get 19.8 mpg driving 90% city and 10% highway. This is because I coast a lot of the time when I see a red light. I think eventually it might hit 19 mpg, but Im not really looking for good gas mileage since I drive maybe 100 miles a week.

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  A Car Dont - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rsg71 - May 25 - 6:39 am

  I bought this car in 2005, and it has been in the shop nearly every year. Last year, it was in the shop 3 times, and it it would be on its way again if I wasnt getting rid of it! The fuel pump, lower intake gasket, anti-theft sensor that wont turn off (the key IS in the ignition), and then some routine maintenance things. I dont mind paying routine up keep of a car, but the parts and labor is outrageous for the most basic things! The thing that appalls me the most- Chevy KNOWS about these problems but has done nothing to make it right by their customers. Will not own GM again.

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  Awesome car! - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By always_driving - May 24 - 3:32 pm

  I have had my 2007 LS since new, I use this as my business vehicle and have over 218,000 miles and I have had very few issues. Brakes have been replaced twice, a few headlight bulbs have been replaced and two belts as preventative maint. I love this car and i am currently getting ready to purchase a 2011.

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  Just bought a Used 06 NOX! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By tabithaj - May 24 - 1:36 pm

  I just bought an 06 Equinox with 69k miles on it. Really great price, low payments. So far it hasnt been any trouble at all. I hear a rattle somewhere in the stering column, like a small plastic piece is loose or something. I love drining it~ :-) I think I am happy so far. :-)

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  Nice, but a lot of problems.... - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mig66 - May 24 - 8:34 am

  My car now has 76k miles on it. All of these problems started before 60k miles. Heater regulator door went out-30k miles, rear shocks-36k miles, front shocks-40k miles, starting issues since the day I bought it brand new, on fourth set of rotors and 2nd set of calipers. I have never had these kinds of brake/rotor problems with any other car I have had(Honda) and currently have(Hyundai). I change the oil every 3-5k miles and have put new tires on at 45k miles and a new battery last night.

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  Not Good! - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By beavispkp - May 23 - 7:11 pm

  GM had a good idea but skipped on the build quality. Ours has 60K miles and it has the gas gauge failed leaving my wife stranded, 3 doors become misaligned and wouldnt shut properly, continuous starting issues, the instrument cluster burn out, the DVD player failed, and the seats are ripping. Worse yet, the exterior trim pieces have all faded in the sun and are a different color than the van. It has alot of great options, does average on gas, and rides nice but its all negated by the build quality. This car is one to avoid!