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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  Drive till its dead - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Scott - August 4 - 3:24 pm

  Being military we drive these vehicles as police patrol cars. So I know first hand these cars can take a beating because we drive them 24/7, 20- 25K miles ayear. When I had the opprotunity I brought an Impala. I try to tune up all my used cars as soon as I get them, but had no chance. So after two weeks, one of the plug wires went out so I had the whole set replaced (plus sparkplugs). She runs great now, lots of leg room, put 18 inch rims and tires on. Went on a 9 hour driving trip, solid car inside and out, looks great. I had a 03 525I and drove it to Southern Bavria, wish I had this car instead, my lower back would have appreciated it.

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  **GREAT VALUE** - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Denisenjeff - August 3 - 4:26 pm

  We just bought the 2005 Aveo with AC and got it for $8397.00, it was a fantastic deal. Best warranty out of all Chevy vehicles (that was a plus) We commute 100 miles RT to work and back and needed something CHEAP all around! CHEAP on fuel consumption and cheap to buy! Very good value for this car for sure.

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  20 ,pg my foot - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Vince - August 2 - 4:41 pm

  Great vehicle for family and for pulling. Great ride, quiet cabin, good sound system. Looks great on road

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  Tow and Go - 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By doctorjim - August 2 - 2:45 pm

  Purchased used with 16k mi, now 162k. A great vehicle for me, as I have driven it to work every day since. Ive been deer hunting in Alabama and duck hunting in Arkansas, driving to areas that my friends were pulling ATVs to access. Tows my boat (3300 lbs) without a whimper. I was recently asked to pull out my friends boat on a dirt private ramp when his full size pickup failed. There is no substitute for horsepower and 4WD! Had to replace water pump at 120k and master brake cylinder at 150k. Back seat is a hastle for car seats, but if your kids are booster-sized or older then youre home free. Not really accessible for elderly parents, though. Gas mileage: 11-13 tow/city, maybe 15 hwy.

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  So Far...So Good - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Colleen - August 2 - 12:54 pm

  I bought mine 3 weeks ago with 39,000 on it. The gas mileage on this thing is incredible. (Coming from a former Jeep owner). I wish the interior cloth and carpet was a bit darker though, it stains pretty easily. Cupholder placement is a bit idiotic. Roomy interior. The sensor for the passenger seat airbags is great, and so is the DIC (driver info. center). Trunk is huge! Looks nice, cute and sporty without being over the top. Exactly what I needed.

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  Country Girl - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jeannie - August 2 - 11:35 am

  I went from a Grand Caravan to an Equinox and enjoy the smaller size. The turning radius is longer than the van, which is odd. So far, I am enjoying it. Am getting 20+ in mixed driving and will probably get more on a trip. The cup holders are inconvenient. I think the shift mechanism should trade places with cup holders so the cups are comfortable to reach. Need a dome (reading) light between visors, front is dark at night. A/C cools well, SUV handles nicely. Has 80,000 (fleet vehicle) on it, but is trouble free so far. My son-in-law found it for me on e-bay - driving it home my daughter liked it so much, they got one for her.

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  Not Happy - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jim J. - August 2 - 1:10 am

  Life long Chevy driver, I am very disapointed with my new car. In to dealer twice already (1500 miles) vibration and ticking from the engine when brake is applied at a stop light or sitting in traffic. "New engine" so what, make it right before you send it out. 3.8 V6 was better. Service people are great and I believe they are trying, but I do not like driving this car at this point. Hopefully after further trips in to dealer and more aggravation they will be able to fix it. This is not what one expects when buying a new car!

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  Oil Consuming 2007 Suburban LT - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By disgruntled owner - July 31 - 5:33 pm

  17K, add engine oil light came on. Noted to be 2 qts low. Thought this was odd since too new for this to occur. 22K, light came on again. Dealer stated "not uncommon to burn thru a quart or 2 in the break in period. Funny. Light has come on at least 8 times. Burned thru 12+ qts in the past 10K. Dealer has done pressure test, die test (although they never finalized procedure as they claimed they did), checked valve springs for knicks (according to TSB). No oil coming out of tailpipe and no leaks what so ever. Dealer keeps telling me to put on more miles. No resolution to date. Im done! Have seen others with same problem on the web. Do not recommend this vehicle & MPG stinks

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  Love the car BUT - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Driver - July 31 - 3:56 pm

  I really love the design and the interior of my Equinox. Cargo space could be bigger. I get OK gas mileage but its a 6 cyl so its not as good as the 4 cyl mileage advertised. Problem with it is the computer system. At first the remote start wouldnt work. At the moment its in the shop for "Air Bag Service" light on, been in shop for 3 days while they hook computer up with GM to find out what the problem is. Ordered a cargo cover which should have been with the car, took two months to get it. Other than minor but time consuming problems I like it. First car Ive ever had though that has been in the shop so much

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  So far so good - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Steve - July 31 - 2:40 pm

  Just picked up a nice used Z71 in Bermuda Blue at a Chevy dealer. It was a good time to buy in New England since values have could down a lot do to gas prices and the economy. Had two Nissan Pathfinders so making my way back to owning a Chevy again and I hope Im not disappointed. The truck fits our needs since I can take it on my hunting trips and on the beach surf fishing. It drives very well with good power and lots of nice options. Should be able to pull my dads Robalo 2440 with the 3:42 rear axel and 335lb of torque. The interior could use better moldings and the rear seat is not easy to fold. The sound system is impressive and OnStar & XM are nice options if you want them.