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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  A TRUE AMERICAN MADE LEMON - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By lemon - October 24 - 10:49 pm

  Never buy a chevy aveo , it is a piece of crap!! Had to put a radiator in it , transmission , computer, and now head gasket blown!! Nothing but a waste of money wanna take a baseball bat and beat it to pieces.They really need to take theses lemons off the market.I am extremely disappointed and will never buy a chevy again

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  Stay away from this vehicle - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jason - October 24 - 12:48 pm

  A nice looking vehicle, very comfortable, lots of storage space, rear seats will not fold down all the way making that feature almost useless. Spent over $5,000 in repair work, Including transmission work, before the car had 60 thousand miles on it. I am extremely disappointed with this vehicle having now dumped over $23,000 in a car that I bought used with 17000 miles on it. I shudder to think what is next. Two other GM vehicles in the past had their motors go bad not due to anything I did. Will not be buying another GM vehicle.

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  Been a Good Car so far but not Perfect - 2013 Chevrolet Equinox
  By DCSFORUM - October 24 - 11:46 am

  Bought the Equinox new 3 years ago and have not had any troubles in 24,000 miles. I knew the 2.4L wouldnt routinely achieve the EPA fuel mileage numbers at typical highway speeds (and Im frustrated at both Chevy and the EPA for unrealistic numbers) but a quick glance at the data on Fuelly.com shows its nearly impossible to achieve the highway number (only 3 fill-ups out of 418 got 32 MPG) which is just wrong from a consumer standpoint. I have measured 29.5 MPG on a 500-mile highway run in ECO mode running 65-70 MPH. I dont know how the 4-cylinder will hold up either so I might opt for the 6-cylinder if I had it to do over again. I thought the 2.4L had reasonable power during my test drive but after 3 years of driving, it feels somewhat underpowered. On the plus side, its quiet and we have not had any squeaks or rattles. It has run flawlessly with no returns to the dealer for any reason other than oil changes. I think the Equinox looks pretty decent and handles well. Brakes and HID headlights are great. Good amount of room in the back seat. Side airbags are good to have. Here are my observations on the negative side: 1. The center stack is angled away from the driver so reaching the main knob on the upper right of the radio requires the driver to lean forward away from the seat and Im 6 ft tall with relatively long arms. This is terrible ergonomic design and is very frustrating over time. That control isnt accessible on the steering wheel so they force you to lean way forward to use it. Extremely bad. 2. I find the seats too firm. The firm seats bother my sciatic nerve and I start having numbness. I had to go buy a seat cushion to alleviate this problem. 3. The Equinox cargo room is much smaller than it should be for a vehicle of this length. The Equinox is the same length as our Buick Rendezvous but the Rendezvous has 3 rows of seating and offers two or three times more cargo space. According to Edmunds specs, the two vehicles only differ in width by 1 inch so Im just puzzled how the Equinox is so much smaller in the back. It just strikes me that the Equinox is trying to be a small fuel-efficient SUV but it doesnt excel at either end of the spectrum. It doesnt achieve the EPA numbers but also isnt big enough to handle big family trips because of the small cargo area. The cargo area is also narrow enough that you cant put golf clubs back there. 4. As noted above, Im not sold on the 2.4L engine. It doesnt achieve the sticker ratings and Im uncertain how well it will hold up over time. Im not sure were saving enough fuel to be worth feeling this underpowered. Some people have reported 5. The 6-speed transmission is good at keeping the engine revs low for better fuel economy and I like the manual shift control but it is the worst-shifting new-car transmission I have ever owned. I dont consider it a severe problem but more of a constant annoyance. Its just not nearly as smooth as it should be. The car hesitates momentarily at every shift with first-to-second and second-to-third being the worst. So, the bottom line for me is that it is a mixed bag. The car has been completely reliable which is ultimately what matters the most to me but I do have a few concerns as noted above.

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  Front tires dont last - 2015 Chevrolet SS
  By Brad - October 24 - 11:08 am

  Front tires have to be replaced every 13,000 miles abnormal wear. Had alignment checked at two chevy dealers and told it is in specs. Car has been always driven in more of a family car manor (very conservatively). Neither company dealer gives any reason for poor tire wear, zero warranty. Need to budget .06 a mile just to keep front tires on it. Heating and AC much to noise! My farm tractor is much more quiet.

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  Great used vehicle !! - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Chvylvr - October 24 - 8:18 am

  I have owned almost every chevy truck they make. From a 93 and 02 suburban to an 03 and 09 silverado. They were all great trucks but I have to say the 01 tahoe is the most functional for my needs in the group. Not overly large fairly nimble good cargo space and room for 6 people (no 3rd row). The 5.3 liter moves this truck well. It is so smooth and you can hardly hear it idle. Got it with 93k with original Trans, rear etc. It has a good amount of rust underneath but nothing unusual for the northeast salted roads. No body rot at all and paint still shines like new. Not bad for a 14 year old truck. A new tahoe would be around $50k. I paid $5k for this one. Ill be due for another tahoe sometime around 2029 and Im sure Ill get a good deal on a 2015 then.

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  The Legend is still alive and thriving - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bradley Colson - October 24 - 1:47 am

  This car reminds me of the "lead sleds" that I grew up driving (my first car was a 65 Impala SS 396), with a notable difference. While it encompasses everything I love about a muscle car, its also a luxury sedan with all the creature comforts that we "older folk" learn to appreciate. When youre a kid, you dont care if your car is a little rusty and rough around the edges, as long as its cool. It doesnt even have to be reliable. But this 96 Impala SS is solid, reliable, and a rust-free, one-owner original that has stood the test of time. It turns heads and gets comments almost every time I go out. It still looks like new, inside and out. The lumbar support in the drivers seat is unsurpassed, and the comfort is perfect, on a short drive or a road trip. I fully anticipate another 20 years worth of joyful and comfortable driving in this big iron beast!

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  2008 Z51 Manual Transmission Convertible, 1 of 923 - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 08 Z51 Vette Guy - October 23 - 4:45 pm

  Second owner and have put 8k miles on the car in 10 months, totaling 31k. I cant speak to every Corvette and will speak toward mine. Its amazing. No squeaks, creaks or rattles. Incredible power whenever youd like it, and the exhaust note is magic. Mine is a factory dual mode car, with the fuse pulled. Ive crushed new 5.0 ponies easily. The top end of 4th, or my fifth gear shift happens about 147 mph. Most of my passengers tap out before I grab fifth. Ultimately I was hoping to find out how rare my configuration really is. Heres what she is.... 1SZ - PREFERRED EQUIPMENT SAVINGS 313 - CASHMERE 31I - LT CASHMERE INTERIOR TRIM 35T - TOP - BEIGE 3LT - 3LT PREFERRED EQUIPMENT GROUP AM/FM STEREO, 6 DISC CD CHANGER, MP3 FORMAT, BOSE PREMIUM 7 SPEAKER SYSTEM, (REPLACES STD/OPT/PKG RADIO) HEAD-UP DISPLAY PWR TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL HEATED SEATS MEMORY PACKAGE UNIVERSAL HOME REMOTE STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROLS POWER CONVERTIBLE TOP 89U - CRYSTAL RED METALLIC TINTCOAT AAB - MEMORY PACKAGE AG2 - 6 WAY POWER PASSENGER SEAT AJ7 - AIR BAGS, FRONTAL & SIDE IMPACT, DRIVER & PASSENGER AL0 - SENSOR INDICATOR INFLATABLE RESTRAINT, FRT PASS/CHILD PRESENCE DETECTOR AQ9 - ADJUSTABLE SPORT BUCKET SEATS W/PERFORATED LEATHER INSERTS BGR - BOWLING GREEN PLANT CJ2 - DUAL ZONE, ELECTRONIC A/C CM7 - POWER CONVERTIBLE TOP DD0 - ELECTROCHROMIC MIRRORS INSIDE REAR & LEFT OUTSIDE REAR DD8 - OSRV FE3 - SPORT SUSPENSION FE9 - FEDERAL EMISSIONS GU6 - REAR AXLE 3.42 RATIO IL3 - TRIM INTERIOR DESIGN-AQ9 J55 - HEAVY DUTY POWER BRAKES JJA - PT DRESS SUBASSEMBLY JL5 - CONTROL MANUAL TRANS, 1ST TO 4TH GEAR SKIP SHIFT K63 - 110 AMP GENERATOR KA1 - HEATED SEATS KNP - TRANSMISSION OIL COOLING SYSTEM KPS - COOLER OIL, ENGINE LS3 - 6.2 LITER 430 HP ENGINE MN6 - 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION MZ6 - 6 SPD MANUAL TRANSMISSION N37 - PWR TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL NK4 - TILT LEATHER WRAP STNG WHEEL NPP - DUAL MODE EXHAUST NT7 - EMISSION SYSTEM FEDERAL TIER 2 QX3 - CHROME ALUMINUM WHEELS R6K - PROCESSING CODE R9N - PROCESSING CODE - SEAT SLM - STOCK ORDERS U2K - XM SATELLITE RADIO - SERVICE FEE EXTRA. 1ST 3 MONTHS INCL. U52 - ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTATION U65 - SPEAKER SYSTEM 7, PREMIUM UE1 - 1 YR ONSTAR SAFE & SOUND(ASK DLR ABOUT TURN-BY-TURN NAV UPGRADE) UG1 - UNIVERSAL HOME REMOTE UJ9 - LOW TIRE PRESS. INDICATOR UK3 - STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS US3 - ANTENNA DIVERSITY US9 - AM/FM STEREO, 6 DISC CD CHANGER, MP3 FORMAT, BOSE PREMIUM 7 SPEAKER SYSTEM, (REPLACES STD/OPT/PKG RADIO) UV6 - HEAD-UP DISPLAY V73 - STATEMENT OF VEHICLE CERT.-U.S. /CANADA VA5 - ENGLISH LANGUAGE LABEL VDD - VEHICLE INFORMATION DVD VH9 - ENVELOPE OWNER INFO MANUAL VT7 - OWNERS MANUAL ENGLISH XND - FRONT TIRE - P245/40ZR18 YTK - REAR TIRE P285/35ZR19 Z51 - Z51 PERFORMANCE PKG (INCLUDES:LARGER CROSS-DRILLED BRAKE ROTORS,PERFORMANCE-TUNED: TIRES, STABILIZER BARS,SPRINGS, SHOCKS, GEAR RATIOS)

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  Car Blows Up After Slow Speed Front End Collision - 2013 Chevrolet Equinox
  By John Kolesa - October 22 - 8:20 pm

  I had extended factory warranty repair work done on a stabilitrac sensor issue. I was told it was a high pressure fuel pump issue. Less than two weeks after the warranty repair work was done through Carmax, I was in a low speed fender bender in bumper to bumper traffic in Houston. I pulled the vehicle off the road to exchange information and when I walked less than 30 feet from the car the engine caught fire. Flames 4 feet high coming off the hood. In less than a minute after that, the engine exploded and engulfed the front half of the car in flames. The entire car was destroyed in less than the time it took for the fire department to get there. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone. I got it because I thought it was safe. Coincidence that GM implemented front end collision warning sensors on their new models? I dont think so. I would not put my mother in this car. Another few moments in that car and I would have been burned alive.

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  Run, run, run....away from buying this car. - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Debi - October 22 - 12:25 pm

  Our 2008 Impala has less than 80,000 miles on it, for a seven year old car that is low mileage........right now its undergoing almost $3,000 of repairs. Our mechanic said that hes never seen a vehicle with so few miles have such problems. And of course, one of the problems seems to be another infamous GM defect........an anti-freeze leak. I Googled it and there are A LOT of complaints about that problem. Also has severe paint "crazing" on the black trim/paint by the windows. Started very shortly after purchase. I complained to GM, was told that "its not a safety issue" so basically they were saying "tough &%*$". Wont EVER buy another GM.

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  Great commuter car -spare car - 2014 Chevrolet Volt
  By j - October 21 - 9:48 am

  Pros: Great mileage. Plug in at 8pm, usually full charge by am. Warm days bring better electric miles (~48) cold days (~30). I only commute a few miles to work, so this is perfect for my situation. Quiet (no rattles). My German shepherds preferred vehicle -lol (vs. LexisRX350). Nice to have range extender engine that gets decent mileage. entertainment system easy to understand. Car settings easy to change and understand. Nice to have on-star for free (3years). Low Mainteneance (so far). Driver layout, cup holders, front Instrument Panel Storage with outlet (great for gps unit or phone connection). Remote App (to locate car, Open Locks, Warm car up etc. Cons: No spare tire, Large front pillars (visibility), rear leg-room (expected), Window flutter noise (when one/two windows open - all windows have to be open), Black Paint (to hot when sun is out) - then you need to use Air Conditioning which depletes electricity. Low front clearance (rubber scrapes over little driveway inclines. Seat warmers s/b std. equipment. hard to judge front end when parking. Weekends (when everybody wants to use car) running totally on Electric becomes an issue (do not have quick charging unit).