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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  Things To Consider - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By suv4years - May 2 - 5:57 pm

  I have owned three Trailblazers and loved them. The Traverse was too big for me and has low mpg. I bought the Equinox last week because of its size and mpg ratings. On the first tank of gas around town I got 26 mpg according to my math, 25.2 according to the car computer. This will improve after about 1500 miles.

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  As advertised - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ronguy - May 2 - 3:29 pm

  I have owned my 2011 Equnox 2LT FWD now for 2 months and am very pleased. I initially took the car on a 740 mile round trip the 1st week and only got 28 mpg. My city driving averaged 18mpg. Now after 2 months and 2000 miles I have just been doing city driving and am getting 21.87 mpg in the city. There are stretches of 1/2 mile or so before I hit a light or stop sign. The amount of stops vary depending where you live so maybe I live in an area that requires less stop and go. I do drive with a light foot and realized that if I release my foot from the gas pedal after it goes into the 2nd gear and then reapply lightly the instant fuel mileage gauge immediately jumps to 22-28 mpg from 12-16 mpg

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  Too many repairs for a brand new car. - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By hdryder - May 2 - 1:22 pm

  We have a 2009 Cobalt Sedan W- Auto Trans. Purchased brand new. It currently has 38k miles on it. This is the worst GM car I have ever owned out of the gate. Within the warranty frame its had numerous failures related to cheap parts: Power steering motor recall. Steering column replaced because of a rattle. Ignition replaced because the key could not be turned off. The most recent is a issue yet to be diagnosed for certain but we are experiencing an erratic slapping noise coming from the drive train. I suspect its a noise that originates inside the transmission. This car has long term durabilty questionability. Be prepared to spend $$$$ after the warranty expires. Its very cheaply built.

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  Disappointed - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By time2go - May 2 - 10:21 am

  Less than 2 weeks ago I purchased the 2011 Equinox. The ONLY reason I traded evhicles was for better gas mileage. The "sticker" said the Equinox would get 22mpg city and 32mpg highway, DO NOT BELIEVE IT! Now I have been told by Chevy Corp. that it will take at least 3000 miles before one could Possibly see that kind of mileage. But, understand, you are not tole that up-front. Buying the Equinox in one of the worst decisions I have ever made. I will not encourage anyone to buy a Chevy productt ever again. I am totally disgusted and disappointed. Whatever hapen to "truth" in advertising. No wonder dealerships have such a bad reputation.

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  47.8 MPG on highway! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By wi54545 - May 2 - 7:58 am

  We were looking for a car to replace my 1987 Mercedes 300TD diesel. My wife was driving our 2004 Suburban and averaging around 14 mpg mixed. It had to get good gas mileage, carry three kids, our luggage, and it had to be a manual transmission! We were interested in the new Focus (ugly even though I love Ford, no stick in upper trim levels) and Elantra (Alien looking and only stick in lower trim). We drove the ECO and fell in love with its quietness, little turbo motor, and the slick shifting manual transmission. This car will be passed down to our kids in five years. The fact that they cant text and drive is priceless (manual)! On our first trip with 500 miles on it we got 47.8MPG

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  GREAT CAR - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By vipervenom11 - May 1 - 5:49 pm

  I just got a Chevy Malibu LTZ and it runs great. i love the style the ride quality and everything about it. I highly recommend this for anybody wanting a nice for a reasonable price.

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  So Far....So GREAT! - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By tgil - May 1 - 1:16 pm

  Looked long and hard at many midsize SUVs after the desire to step up from a minivan. Settled on the Traverse and no regrets after 15months.

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  delightfull dish - 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
  By glenny3 - May 1 - 11:38 am

  This car is a delight to drive.I have had a malibu before and went to a HHR [no where near as nice].I went back to a malibu this year .I could not pass up the deal i got with the rebate ,credit union discount and previous owner discount.It took a while [2,000 miles] to gain the good gas mpg .On the highway in cruise i get 35mpg with the 4 banger.Has plenty of power and rides smooth.Looks rich with the mocha exterior and cocoa/cashmere interior.I am a happy puppy with it .i hope it continues with no problems .I again say its a delightfull dish [car]

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  What an amazing car! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By mikey1978 - May 1 - 11:32 am

  This car should be compared with cars in a class above. Corolla and Civic should not be in the same sentence as the Cruze. The quality and fit finish of this car is amazing for the price. I would compare it to an Acura TSX as that seems more appropriate. The quality is evident when you first open the door and feel the heft it has to it and the nice sound it makes when closing. My new Corolla feels really tinny and cheap compared to this. Once inside touch the materials and the controls. Everything has a nice quality feel to it and looks expensive. I cannot believe the turnaround US automakers are undergoing at the moment. Cant wait to have this in my driveway!

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  A Great Car - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By cloudchaser9 - April 30 - 10:56 pm

  I just sold my 94 cavalier but it was my first car ever. I got it for 3k with 74,000 miles on it. It now has 104,000 miles after four years of having it. It has been an amazing car and is still running strong. It is so reliable and just plain fun to drive. Noting major has gone wrong. Replaced brakes once, head lights, 1 battery, 1 tire. The great gas mileage was one of my most valued things about this car. These make great cars, especially for town driving.