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:

• 

  Ricks review - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ricata8 - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I think this new model is stylish and handles really good. Not a bad price.

• 

  Good car for the money - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bill of rights - March 11 - 4:38 am

  I do a lot of driving for business so I needed an inexpensive car that got good gas mileage and would be reliable. I got a great deal on the 07 because the 08s were coming to the dealer lots. The car now has 21000 miles on it with no problems at all. 95% of miles are highway and I have averaged around 31mpg at 70-75mph. The front seats need more padding and the car doesnt like the wind on the interstate. Overall the car has been great and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a good solid car and doesnt want to break the bank.

• 

  2005 Chevy Colorado Z71 Ext. Cab - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Dave - March 10 - 1:48 pm

  Driving the vehicle on a day to day basis the gas mileage averages around 18 mpg. Lacking power in some conditions and interior is cheap. The vehicle has some excess noise as well inside. Overall though the vehicle is better than the majority of the competetion. I am 35 years old and this is my 48th vehicle. I have had Porsches, Mercs, and all sorts of SUVs, trucks. This one is just fine and the competion is lacking in space, comfort, and overall fit and finish, especially on their exteriors.

• 

  So far so good - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By gmm - March 10 - 11:37 am

  I have read the other reviews, and find I share some experiences. The interior paint chips easily, but a dealership employee suggested I use a sharpie to fill in the gaps (thanks). The front tires wore out quickly, but it is a front wheel drive vehicle. The gas mileage is between 20 and 25, no complaints there. I do agree that the windshield is a bad deisgn in snowy conditions. All in all I like the Equinox. The resale value doesnt look that good, so I will be driving this car into the ground. My biggest complaint is that I found out that the motor was made in China. I have always bought American, and I bought the Equinox thinking I was doing just that. I may have bought my last US car

• 

  Uncomfortable driver seat - 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Rev B - March 10 - 12:51 am

  I test drove a regular cab, standard bed model. I liked everything about the truck, except the uncomfortable driver seat. I adjusted the seat forward and backwards and all the lumbar adjustments and it was just horrible. It was only a 10 minute test drive and my butt and back were hurting me! I have a 2000 LS S10 and that worn out seat is still far superior than this truck! I have been buying new GM trucks for 35 years and never had a seat that bad!

• 

  Great Family Car - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By hot mama - March 8 - 10:18 pm

  This car has been a great car for our family. We put on a lot of miles traveling all over town and it is for the most part very reiliable. There has only been minor problems with some electrical in this car. like a light wont work one day but will the next. It is extremely comfortable. In 2003 there was no other SUV on the market this roomy or comfortable. We have a Z71 package with a TV and that has also been a great delight for our kids

• 

  Awesome Vehicle! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By InZane4all - March 7 - 10:19 pm

  I previously had a 2007 Cobalt LT Coupe. The car was ok but was missing power. I also hated the fact that the car came with hubcaps which made loud noises on every bump. I wanted an SS/SC but was unable to get one at a good price. So I decided to get a Cobalt SS and wow! Big difference from an LT. 17 chrome wheels, Pioneer sound system, interior is way better than my old LT. The 2.4L engine is so powerful, it reminds me of my old 94 Camaro V6. I did change the wing to the high rise one that comes standard on an SS/SC only because I think the wing makes my Cobalt SS stand out more.

• 

  Lemon - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By CarGuy - March 6 - 5:40 pm

  This was my first car ever, and what a mistake it was! I bought it for pretty cheap, but the repairs got me. Ive had to put in a new intake manifold, new heater, new fuel injector, new alternator, and most recently a new transmission, plus a ton of little things. I bought the car for $3000, and I have put $2500 dollars into it in under 2 years! The car itself isnt to bad when its running.

• 

  Mr. Darcy - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Darcy - March 6 - 10:00 am

  I like this car, which the price is very decent. Drive pretty smooth. Come with cd & mp3. What do you want at this price!!

• 

  LTZ - Great Economy Car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By RobinH - March 6 - 2:16 am

  I have 40,000 plus miles on my Cobalt and average 30 mpg during my 100 mile daily commute. I average about 40 mph overall. (On the highway I get 35 mpg when driving about 60 mph) Have had no issues. Car was about $10,000 less than others I was looking at. Interior is "cheap"...but it runs great and gets me to work. Original tires only lasted 40K miles, now switched to Goodyear Assurance Triple Treds, which I have had before and are great tires.