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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  Sick of GM. - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Detailer - July 8 - 6:32 pm

  Way overpriced $30,000.00 4 cylinder, lt1 package, basics pw, pb, air, etc. Cheap looking inside, smaller than previous models. Best of all nothing off sticker price and no rebates, wow!

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  Worth the Drive - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Chevy Deal - July 8 - 1:45 pm

  This car is great. Great look (interior and exterior), handling, fuel efficient (traded in a V6). Looked around before purchasing but glad we did make the right choice with the Malibu.

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  Not the best I have owned - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Martin - July 8 - 11:54 am

  The interior is so easily stained along with a crappy radio. But the biggest issue is the steering. GM knew the steering was flawed but failed to recall it- I fixed the top part but today my mechanic told me to stop driving it. It will cost $900 to fix. The mileage and power have been nice and it is a pretty car. I replaced my wifes car last month and now have to buy another one. It will not be a GM.

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  Not a bad vehicle so far - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By devman - July 8 - 2:10 am

  This truck has been in the family since new, my mom owned it until last year when I took it over. It has approximately 97k on it and we have never had any major issues. The heated seats have burnt out, and the seats themselves only recline to one position, fortunately that position works for me. The inside is comfortable, I am 64" so the headroom is a big plus for me. It has a terrible meandering problem, which I now understand to be a weak point in the idler/pitman/ball joints. I am considering upgrading to some performance parts after I take care of the steering, and doing a much needed change of shocks.

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  great - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By stephen - July 8 - 12:16 am

  I love my s-10. Best truck I have owned so far wish it would have been lifted up a little more tho but otherwise I love it.

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  1 year and quite happy - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Gfi - July 7 - 10:41 pm

  With about 13,000 miles, have not been back to dealer except for oil changes. Still very tight with no rattles. The car is very comfortable around town and on the highway. I get 24.7 on road at 72 mph. Around town, I get 20-21. Not bad for a comfortable, roomy, safe vehicle. I remain happy with this domestic car after more than 20 years of Hondas and Toyotas.

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  Buyer beware - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By F_U_Malibu - July 7 - 6:41 pm

  Ok this car is junk, why did they make this? Someone gave me this car. For free, all I had to do was fix it up. Leaking coolant, malfunctioning ignition switch, new starter, new head gasket, struts go every couple months, intake gasket went, blower only works on 3 and up, signals dont work, omg the list goes on and on and on, not to mention Ive only had this for a little over a year. Dont buy it, or take it for free. Worst car ever built, I will get my vengeance Chevy.

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  I Used to Love This Truck! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Nikki - July 7 - 8:03 am

  I bought this truck brand new in 2003. I love the interior space of this truck. Now, in 2010, the truck has 128,000 miles. Cant remember all the repairs I had done on truck. Most repairs was covered under warranty. When truck went out of warranty more problems increased. Now truck loses power while being driven (so dangerous), Front A/C control blows only on max, passenger airbag needs to be serviced. Took truck to Chevy dealership and they cant find the problem with any of the things I just listed. Got to keep 1/4 or more of gas in tank or car wont start. Wish Id known to keep truck until warranty ran out & then purchased another SUV. However, I will really miss this truck. :(

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  Never Again - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tony - July 6 - 9:36 pm

  This Vehicle looked sharp once I brought it home. unfortunately thats when all the issues started. Dealerships were not helpful at all. Everything had a price to fix. Interior dash lights out only lights half of the odometer/fuel gauge etc. ABS and TC light have been on for 4 years have asked to have it checked. $105.00 to look at the problem (not warrantied, should be a recall) Gas guzzler, cant get 450kms off a tank, city or highway. Turning radius poor. Going back to Honda

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  Quality used car - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By jayk - July 6 - 4:32 pm

  Bought the car used with 16k on it in 2002. Had previously owned a Geo Prizm with very few problems, which is why I chose this car. It now has 130k on it and has only needed routine maintenance. I havent had the oil-guzzling probs others mention, & it gets great mileage too. My only complaints are the cup-holder blocks the radio if its holding a drink, and the black rubber trim on the window borders is peeling off. Suppose Id settle for that any day over major mechanical malfunctions. If they still made this car, Id absolutely buy it again.