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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  Never a Chevy Again! - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bfairchild - October 19 - 3:29 pm

  Worst care ever. Lower intake manifold seal replaced for $1100 due to dex-cool eating apart the gasket. Turn signal shorted due to the hazard switch that Chevy decided to put right next to the a/c vents where it could accumulate moister. Why they wired the signal switch to the hazard switch just shows what type of corners they cut in manufacturing. A/C blower replaced. Random beeps heard from the stereo. Intake manifold gasket started leaking again and required constant coolant. It was just disappearing from the car! Went through tires every 5,000 miles. They never wore evenly despite an alignment and balance. Chevy should have stepped up and recalled this car. Last Chevy I ever Buy

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  Disappointed - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tray529 - October 18 - 10:47 am

  I was attracted to this vehicle because of the exterior looks. The malibu turns out to be somewhat of a disappoinment. The interior feels closed in- not much room. There is not much room in the rear for passengers. The trimming is coming apart from the dash. Multiple blind spots. The seats seem to attract stains. The excelleration is poor. The steering is quick. No sudden jerks on the wheel.

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By tbarnes1 - October 17 - 2:36 pm

  I am the type of person that usually reads reviews and discards the few out there that may be negative. I plead with you to not disregard this review. I purchased a NEW 2011 chevy equinox back in March and have nothing but problems with it since I drove it off the lot. Have intermitent stalling, engine hesitation when accelerating, and rattle at startup. Ive taken it back to the dealer 3 times to resolve the issue (every time leaving with them saying its fixed). Just had it stall YET AGAIN. Ive submitted paperwork for Lemon Law b/c I WANT MY MONEY BACK. Do NOT buy this car if you are looking for a reliable vehicle. Now I have to fight to keep my family safe & get my money back!

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  not happy - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By nothappyall1 - October 15 - 4:36 pm

  I bought a 2005 new. The 2nd month I had it, a part in the transmission broke. Then the lift gate lock and the CD did not work properly fixed under warranty. Just out of warranty (14 months old) side mirror switch,$40, the ABS sensor went bad, $200, Then the upper strut plates and a strut went bad, $300. Since then, the ABS sensor went bad again, both struts and upper plates replaced again $472. The wiring harness in the driver door (Which controlls the speaker, locks, alarm, and dinger) was replaced $200. The rear hub replaced $255. The paint on the interior doors and on the radio buttons is chipping off. The fabric is not easy to clean. The CD changer just broke. I did not get my $s worth

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  Many Problems with my car - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By kathrynm - October 4 - 5:18 pm

  Car broke down every day for three months. I was taking bus because my new car stalled five-six times every hour...on freeways and bridges, all the time. Finally, problem: Oxygen Sensor. Month 2: Windshield cracked bottom to top. Month three: Sway bar kept creaking like a 40 year old clunker. They have re-greased it four times and I still get the same story.just needs grease (every three-four weeks). Rear passenger windows dont roll up...inside is now wet and moldy. Driver floor mat keeps getting caught in clutch pedal. Stereo stopped working. Interior light does not work. Ignition problem. Takes four to five tries...four bent keys...have to twist steering wheel and wiggle. I am sad.

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  worst car ever - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By subieman5 - October 2 - 8:17 pm

  Owned the 2010 equinox for two years it is starting to act like a 20 year old car, shudders all the time and the engine gasket seals have started to leak oil. think its time to go and buy a car that is is made the real way not the cheap way as most US built cars are made. Think ill talk my wife into getting the Subaru forrester as their is not to many complaints made about. Do not recommend or plan to ever buy GM car again, worst ever purchase ive made.

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  Losing power and getting wet... - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By starsmyles - October 1 - 10:02 am

  I purchased this vehicle used with 72,300 miles. I fell in love with the exterior. Upon first entering the vehicle I noted the paint on the radio buttons were worn. I was okay with this slight imperfection. I bougt the vehicle. After a couple weeks I had to repalce the struts. The vehicle ran okay. Then it was spring. The vehicle did not start or go easily on hills, the vehicle lost acceloration in the rain ( this is not a proven hypothesis but likely with my evidence) and has been in the shop since May 2011. I drove it 1700 miles. I wish I had better things to say however I have not had it for nearly six months as it has been in the shop.

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  The car that ruined my love for Chevy - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By sparkles4 - September 28 - 5:47 pm

  I bought this car from a little old lady who lived next door to me and only drove it to bingo. I got it around 60K. As it neared 100K everything started to go. Catalytic, engine stuff, electrical problems galore. I spent almost $2K in repairs in one month on it. Now the transmission & brakes are about to go and my A/C just quit today. I wish I wouldnt have put the $2K in. I couldve used it as a down payment on something better! I do like the layout of the car, though. It is a very roomy sedan and everything is easily accessible.

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  Very Basic Vehicle - 2011 Chevrolet Aveo
  By robert145 - September 22 - 10:14 am

  It will get you from here to there. The feature I hate the most is if you use the key fob to lock the car, you have to hear the horn so I lock it with the key only. I really hate hearing all these car horns honking from a parking lot full of people who have to press the button 3, 4 or 5 times out of obsession. Talk about noise pollution. Why did all these car manufacturers have to add the car horn to the lock. Cant you come up with something quieter?

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  NOT A GOOD PURCHASE =( - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By alesy - September 21 - 1:03 am

  We purchased this car on Dec 2010 V6 engine, first 2 months the car spent over a week in the dealer after many times of trying due to an oil leak that they could NOT find. It was squeaky on bumps etc. A total desapoinment. Tried to work a deal with GMC with out luck. Tried to sell it privetly, no luck. We traded it in for a Japanise car. I wonder if there will be something that we can get from GMC like an insentive for all the trouble? If someone is interested in doing something about it as a group count me in.