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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  liked it so much Im on my 2nd one! - 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bwgr1985 - May 17 - 8:54 am

  I bought an LS in 2009 and it was a great car. Took a few thousand miles to get the good gas milage but it was great to have even for a basic car. Well chevy was offering some great deals on the 2011s so I decided to upgrade to a fully loaded 2011 LTZ. I couldnt be happier. Its fun to drive even for a 4 banger and looks good on the road or sitting in the parking lot. The 09 had a 4 speed auto and this one has a 6 speed auto, so it does feel a little different on shifts and sometimes will lag between shifts but overall I just love this car. Recommend to anyone.

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  Impressed and not impressed - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By wynne19 - May 16 - 8:01 am

  I needed a vehicle that got better fuel mileage. I traded my 06 F150 crew cab in for this car. It has saved me alot of money so far. It gets 27/city at best. The whole car seems cheaply built compared to my f150. The transmission went out with less then 30,000 miles. At least gm fixed it for free. The "check fuel cap" comes on after every fuel fill up. I would recommend any body looking for a midsize car to check out the Ford Fusion first. I think they have better quality and reliability. I would recommend a Malibu as a second option.

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  Just got rid of this car... - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By sydspapa - May 15 - 8:14 pm

  We had purchased this vehicle used with 19,000 miles on it in 2007. I immediately realized it needed brakes and rotors. Electrical system was whacky, started would run and run when you tried to start it. Buttons wore badly and paint rubbed off the dash and interior badly as well. Last straw was a flat tire that took 4 hours to get off due to it being rusted to the car. The only good thing was that the dealership liked the features and it only had 53,000 miles on it which made a nice 6k down payment on a new Dodge Journey R/T. Bye Bye Equinox...

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  Exalant Ride - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bobjohn1 - May 15 - 3:13 pm

  I love my truck. Ive had all three American made trucks and have never had a truck like this. Its well balanced and gets around better in ice, snow, and mud like no other half ton 4x4 Ive ever been in. The highway ride is unmatched. None of the other trucks seats feel like these. It hasnt given me any troubles. Its got 114 k miles on it and I get 18 mpg on the highway. Show me another 4x4 that does that! All three of my kids fit comfortably and they are all teens. My oldest is almost 56" tall.

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  Equinox MPG - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kazoo_blue - May 15 - 1:03 pm

  Ive seen several reviews by people saying they do not get any where near the advertised mpg but on my trip from Kazoo Michigan to Lexington Ky. and back we averaged just a shade under 30 mpg and the vehicle just rolled over 3,000 miles so I expect that it will improve the mpg as the miles roll up. Fun, quiet, comfortable ride on the trip. Wife drives 70+ and I drive 70.

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  Loud engine knock at cold start up. - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By arveejay - May 15 - 8:29 am

  The car is very comfortable to drive with lots of leg room. It handles just fine, looks great and rides great. My only concern so far is the 2.4L engine rattle at cold start. It sounds like there is no oil in the engine for several seconds and then quiets right down. Even after dealer changed the oil and filter at 1000 miles the noise is still there. If my dealer can fix the noise before the engine shells out, Ill be very happy with it. Im sure I wont still have it when the warranty is nearing running out.

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  Top of the Class! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By micha78 - May 14 - 9:33 pm

  This car really makes you feel special the second you open the door and see the beautifully designed dash. Cannot say enough about the quality that went into this car from the feel of the soft touch materials inside to the beautiful exterior. To compare it to Civic and Corolla does it an injustice. We own a 2010 Corolla and it is just a boring A to B car with terrible fit and finish inside. With the Cruze, you want to fight for the keys because of how it makes you feel. You really feel like youre driving a sport luxury car and wonder how you got away paying so little. Highly recommend it, you will not go back to the boring boxes on wheels.

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  Very Good Ride - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By dasco54 - May 14 - 3:17 pm

  4th blazer I have owned -1976,1992,1999,and now the 2006. Very good ride ,if I had one complaint it is the 99 interior was better laid out. Good mileage with plenty of power. Very minor repairs(belt guide pulley) needed so far and we have 111,000 miles

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  YOU WILL NOT REGRET YOUR PURCHASE!! (: - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By chickenfrieddd - May 14 - 10:26 am

  Words can not explain how much I am absolutely in LOVE with this vehicle! The design is beautiful and it is so fun to drive. Its unbelievably quiet and it drives VERY smooth. If youre looking for something with luxury but not with a huge price tag, this is the car for you. get MPG as well!

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  If you need a commuter car, Run - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By medgeworth - May 13 - 7:56 am

  I added the Edmunds id after I purchased the car, just so I could add my comments here. I got a new job that required a long commute. I was focused on the Elantra but they were not available for 20K with their popularity. I fell into the Cruze and was surprised by the ECO numbers. I Love the car. I drive in the fast lane, play in the corners and I still get 37MPG. Cant wait for a Road Trip. For the money and the cabin and the MPG - its a deal Oh yea, im 64" 240, it fits fine with headroom.