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 to Drive - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tina - December 1 - 5:06 am

  I have had the Chevy Equinox for 1 month now and it is very fun to drive. I have the LS AWD and I recently took it through the snow and on the dirt. Never had any problems. I went over some ice and the AWD kicked in. The Equinox handles very nice. No problems with the radio controls, not that hard to figure out. My Passengers love the slight reclining seats in the back.

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  Big car Little Bucks - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By busdriver - November 30 - 1:23 pm

  I bought the stripped down hatchback to save gas and wear and tear on my Wrangler. My wife had hers for a week when I decided I needed one like hers. While she has put 3000 miles going to town and back with the grandkids, I have over 7000 miles already commuting. We paid $8950 each for them, and so far, no problems whatever. I love the roomy interior and ergonomics. Plenty of power on the freeway, with a ride like a much more expensiver car. When and if I use this one up, I will definitly get another.

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  2004 Indy SS - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By madman2 - November 30 - 10:00 am

  One Badass ride!! Ive only drive 2500 mile so far, but fell in love with this car. Im not going to sell it, being a limited edition. I eat Pontiacs for lunch!

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  Impressive machine - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dave - November 30 - 7:53 am

  Drove it off the lot 05-04-07 and now have 2200 miles on it. Leaving soon on a 5000 mile road trip, cant wait. Ride is super smooth, more than comfortable, and really quiet. This thing is a lot quicker than I thought it would be, and if I dont engage the cruise control it keeps creeping up over the speed limit. Fuel mileage is right on sticker at 21+ mpg hwy. Interior is so much improved over previous models. Seats are comfy. Ergonomics are well done. Dash layout is beautiful Feels like Im in a luxury SUV. Even my friends with new fords and dodges like it. Good job GM!

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  Awsome - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chevridin20s - November 29 - 12:30 am

  Great. Awesome with no major problems, except due to wear and tear of a normal vehicle. Its got loads of power and sounds the best than any other vehicle with exhaust. The best transmission feel that I think i have ever felt. I do not like the new 03-06 trucks due to the front end but I am keeping this truck till she does no more. Couldnt ask for anything better

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  Equi-lemon - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By John Roland - November 28 - 9:56 pm

  Had the vehicle only two days when engine light came on. Took to dealer and they told me that the part that is needs in non-existant? Not in the system and will have to be taken off the assembly line at the Cami plant in Ingersoll? Part finally comes in three days later and does not fix the problem. GM Engineering tells dealer to start checking the electrical grounding system for the potential problem. I called the GM customer care in Oshawa and because it is a leased fleet car, she would not take my concern, told me to have the company call and complain. I told her I was unhappy and would right a review online, she told me "Good luck with that". I am through with GM! JR.

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  Awesome - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Blackmask - November 28 - 6:23 am

  I recently upgraded my Cobalt for an Equinox. I needed the space(baby, dog) but I was hesitant to buy an SUV due to the heavy gas consumption. I compared the numbers and concluded that GM made stellar improvements with all their cars. I found out the car was being built nearby, then went for a test drive, and..Sold! I bought some Brigetone Slalom winter tires and have driven it over 1000km. My wife loves it, my brother who has recently driven his friends Mazda Cx-7 said he was impressed as well. My first car was a Mazda, second was Chevrolet, third was chevrolet. I love this one so much I may stick with Chevy forever. Malibu, Camaro are gorgeous too.

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  Disappointed - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Bob - November 28 - 2:16 am

  I bought this car new in 04. After 1 year, it started to give me all kinds of problems... steering noises, suspension, brakes, you name it! Recently I needed a ball joint. Apparently a $50.00 replacement couldnt be found! It was also discontinued. A replacement cost me $300. I drive about 24,000 miles per year, not hard miles though. Cant wait to get rid of it.

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  Get what you pay for - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Rush EIB - November 27 - 5:36 pm

  Bought the Equinox new in March 2004. We have had several mechanical & electrial issues since. Our Equinox gets about 16.5 MPG overall. We liked the design and the utility the Equinox offered. The interior materials are cheap. If we had to do it again, we would have purchased a Liberty or Vue, and lived with the smaller vehicle. We plan on trading the Equinox in due to reliabilty issues.

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  luvin my trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By L STEWART - November 27 - 3:53 am

  WE PURCHASED OUR TRAILBLAZER IN NOVEMBER,04. WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ASTRO VANS FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS. WE LOVE THE LOOKS AND THE RIDE THIS VEHICLE GIVES YOU. SO FAR ITS BEEN GREAT,