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:

• 

  A contender - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By pulciano - April 28 - 10:43 pm

  So far so good! Real happy with purchase. V6 does the job. Exterior came a long way. Interior very classy and high end looking. Its about time GM became competitive with Chevy sedans.

• 

  Better than Most - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Saigashooter - April 28 - 4:06 am

  A nice car for a single person, or to just have fun in from time to time. The 3.8 NA V6 is easy on gas but still has some giddy up, though a stock 4.3 or larger V6 would be nice. The car is large though it doesnt handle like a boat. Transmission is a weak point if you have a bad habit of laying rubber at intersections, though it is mostly due to a poorly built throttle position sensor, which causes whining between 2k and 3K rpm The car certainly looks different than any domestic or import sedan or coupe, and people will comment on it. The interior is nice, though some owners report gaps between the glovebox and dash. The rubber treatment on the interior needs to go, as it wears easily.

• 

  Love this vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By James - April 27 - 4:26 pm

  What a smooth ride and just the right size. It has the European look and feel. I see folks looking at it to check out what exactly it is. After weeks, if not months, of searching this one was the best of all we studied...so we bought it fully loaded except for the leather, at a very nice price!

• 

  Looks Good - but thats about it. - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By CJ - April 27 - 1:23 pm

  I cant believe the poor gas milage Im getting from my Equinox. My husband has finally convinced me to trade it in for a Nissan. Ive always owned a Chevy, but after this Im ready to try something else. My Equinox looks great, but looks arent everything. It has issues. Ive already had to have it towed. Im always wondering if theres a problem with the fuel, as it seems like its sluggish and downshifts hard. Also, if youre looking at buying one, just find a used one. They are dirt cheap right now. Well be taking a loss to get rid of ours.

• 

  nothin but trouble - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By ashamed - April 27 - 2:00 am

  first set of wires went at about 30k, replaced under warrenty. second set at about 80k. Alternator died at 84,000 miles, water pump and thermostat replaced at 105,000. after tranny went at 110,000 miles I figured I just about rebuild the darn thing and should get a few years of trouble free use, WRONG. Im on my third thermostat, set of wires, battery, water pump, tires, and the head gasket is shot. Ill never buy another chevy!!

• 

  05 GMC - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By kruzan - April 27 - 12:20 am

  Great truck, 05 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax is the king of diesels. Wish it had bigger wheels/tires(17-18"), and the interior stinks if trying to sleep. Front seats do not recline all the way, very uncomforable to sleep in. I drive long distances through the night at times and know I cant sleep in this truck. Only mechanical drawback/weak link is the Allison transmission. It is weak and needs more beef, especially in the torque converter and C3/C4 clutchs.

• 

  2 month follow-up on initial review - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By autofan2 - April 26 - 5:43 am

  Here is my review after 2 months/2000 miles. Car is rock solid; paddle shifters are effective and make driving fun again, even in a midsize sedan. Turn-by-turn Nav is not bad, but glad its free for now. Gas mileage has settled around 23.5 mpg in mixed driving. Driver comfort is excellent with all the available adjustments. Extra storage areas really come in handy. Remote start is a great feature, but key fob has not worked a few, unrepeatable times. I have no real need for sunroof; would definitely buy this car again w/rear power pkg.

• 

  2004 Z-71 Crew Cab - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By nomorechevy - April 25 - 3:53 pm

  Have had the truck at the dealership for a total of 15 days. We are on the 3rd steering shaft; it drives like a golf cart. Makes a popping noise when turning but only if its over 70 degrees outside. Steering wheel squeaks when the turn signal is on.

• 

  Maxx is fun and zippy - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Bradley P - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Im having a ball driving this head- turner. I traded my 2003 Trailblazer because of its bad gas mileage in-town and highway (never better than 16-18 mpg). The 2004 Malibu Maxx LT has met all my expectations--it really does get 32 mpg on the highway and it really hauls! I am having run zipping around town and sieze any opportunity for a road trip. Love the roomy interior with space for me and four friends and the cargo room is exceptional for a midsize car. Get one and get fun!

• 

  equinox LS - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By d adair - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Purchased April 27, 2004...wasnt intending to trade just yet but wanted a larger vehicle for the daily freeway commute...I have been pleased with the fit and finish and engine responsiveness. The 5 speed automatic transmission combined with the 6 cyl engine supplies a good mix for the rigors of daily commute w/o feeling like you are pushing the motor to its limits. Gas mileage is Ok... could always be better. Happy previous owner of 2000 Tracker w/ 5 Speed Manual. Thought I wanted another manual transmission but am satisfied with 5 speed auto.