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:

• 

  Overall good car with some issues - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By chicagodriver - May 22 - 9:37 pm

  Ive had this care for almost 3 years now. I bought it with 44k on it and now have 90 on it. Ive had a few problems with it but most were solved by the dealership under warranty so it didnt cost me a thing. I have noticed that a lot of other people have had problems with the turn signals and I got it fixed no prob. I guess its a faulty hazard switch that ties into the turn signals. It was a cheap fix. I have had to have the rotors and brake pads replaced. Also replaced both front control arms which was expensive. other than that the ride is smooth, good pep, good styling, decent fuel economy, lots of space and its a comfortable ride. The problems Ive had I blame on it being outside 365.

• 

  Last Chevy Id Buy! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By NOT HAPPY - May 21 - 11:03 pm

  I fell in love with the appearance of the Equinox, and still find it to be a good looking car both inside and out. Unfortunately since I have bought the vehicle it has been one headache after another. I had consistent problems with a broken gas guage that Chevy finally fixed. The icing on the cake though is the never ending problems I have with the cooling system of the vehicle. My Equinox constantly overheats, a problem Chevy knows about, and has repeatedly tried to fix the issue. Now that my warranty is up, and the issue is still taking place, I am fighting with Chevy because I refuse to pay for repairs on an issue that has taken place since the car was 1 1/2 years old (its 3 1/2 now).

• 

  Good buy - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By conran06 - May 21 - 4:44 pm

  I guess i got screwed because mine didnt come with free OnStar for a year, or 3 mo. of XM radio. I did buy it used though with 15,000mi. I do like the smooth drive and I think the seat cusions are very comfortable. I do not like the interior. Looks very cheap on the doors and center console. Im not a big fan of the cushion pattern. I came from an 03 Eclipse Spider, convertable with leather. I wish I had a sunroof at least.

• 

  my truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By justin witczak - May 21 - 10:00 am

  the front dash panel is popping out and is of poor quality,also I got a flat and could not lower the wheel to change it! I had to take it to the dealer!

• 

  Love it/Hate it - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By AT - May 21 - 8:43 am

  First I love this car! Great power, room, and space in the truck! I purchase my SS brand new and it now has 180k miles. My biggest complaint seem to be OEM Parts. I have replaced the Wheel Bearing three times, Repairman told me there is a problem with GM on these, the original set last for 130k miles the second less than 3k. The new set is not OEM and came with a three year warranty. I have had to replace the accelerator senor (twice) and the door actuators (once). Any more replacement will not be OEM, Ive learned my lesson. Even with these issues I love this car. Please do not pull along the side and think you can beat me, you may lose your "pick slip", She a BEAST!!!

• 

  There is NOTHING like an American V8! - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Emoto - May 20 - 11:12 am

  This is a drivers car. The motor is intoxicating - both in power and sound. It is the most performance for the money that one can buy at the moment. Unlike the muscle cars of a bygone era, the 2016 Camaro SS handles as well as it accelerates, which is high praise, indeed. The interior is comfortable and well-appointed. Plenty of legroom, but if you are tall, you may want the sunroof, as merely having it means increased headroom in the car. The controls fall easily to hand. Magnetic ride and the adjustable exhaust are the way to go. Change from soft(ish) suspension and a quiet exhaust (Touring mode) to a more throaty exhaust and stiffer damping at the touch of a button. Set the ride to meet your mood or the conditions. Much has been made of visibility out of the cockpit. While no one is going to give the car a "great" rating on rearward visibility, it is certainly adequate.

• 

  Brides Ride - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tar Heel Born - May 20 - 1:39 am

  Only first 2000 miles, but so far we are extemely happy. Had a 2000 Venture, and this is much more fun. MPG is not quite as good, but we are around 20 MPG for her work commute. Look forward to some summer travel. Wifes back bothers her and the supportive seats really help her.

• 

  Fun! - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Golf26guy - May 19 - 11:27 pm

  I was going to buy a Corvette, and have a second vehicle for a daily driver. That was all until I drove my 3/SS TrailBlazer. I have driven many rental car regular TrailBlazers, and the difference is amazing. You wouldnt think youre in the same manufacturers vehicle. Word of advice, if you buy one, do not put a straight pipe on it, way way too loud. Gas mileage stinks, but its a 6.0 V8. Its very fun to drive on the twisties, but not as fast as I initially thought. Cant beat a Mustang GT, or a Z28, however it does accelerate hard, and shifts very hard - I really like that part. Beat a 350Z, and any other SUV with the exception of the Jeep Grand Chrokee SRT8, and Cayenne Turbo. Overall, I absolutely LOVE it! Cant complain.

• 

  Great Family SUV - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Great Family vehicle - May 19 - 3:22 pm

  We bought this vehicle with the birth of our first child (three children later) and it has been all we have needed as a family vehicle. I refuse to do the mini-van even though gas mileage would be better but, I wouldnt change our decision for a second. 80k miles later and it still starts and runs like the first day we bought it. Just keep up with regular maintance and I plan to drive it till it dies.

• 

  2008 Cobalt LT - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Ogiee - May 19 - 2:19 pm

  It is a nice car. Going from a Sierra to a Cobalt was a jump, but it handles well and is comfortable. I got many features for the money I spent. Well worth the price of the vehicle.