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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  Gashog - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By thomas55 - July 10 - 5:13 pm

  Does not come close to EPA ratings. average is 12.5mpg mixed road traffic (some city some country). Same trip every day with a 2002 4.3L Silverado averages 17.9 - 18.3 mpg. So why does a smaller engine, lighter vehicle stink for the same trip?? Another person at work says his wifes 2005 at 10K still averages 13 mpg. Beware! Gave up a 1998 Grand Voyager 3.8L that averaged 23mpg for same trip. Wish I would have kept the Voyager now and put 3000 dollars to fix it up.

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  Roomy but impractical - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Tim - July 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought it thinking that this would suit my family for years, it has 3rd row, 4wd, tow package etc. Unfortunately it completely impractical, i have 2 small children in car seats and 1 on the way. You cant get to the 3rd row with any car seats in the 2nd row. The middle seat in the 2nd row is tiny like a sedan. So with our third on the way, we need to sell so we can fit 3 kids in the car (without having to crawl over the seat to get in the back row) Also if you bought the V6, you better be ready stay in the same lane, youll never pass anyone! Typical Chevy repairs, thermostat, cam shaft, fuel pump, fuel gauge sensor. Overall not practical for young kids

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  Great Truck - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Eric - July 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck with 136,000 miles and now has 207,000. The motor and transmission has never given me a problem, lots of power and hasnt seemed to have lost any. Still doesnt use oil. The only problems (replaced both front brake lines, front right side spindle, both rear rotors, one of the passenger side manifold bolts broke and caused a small exhaust leak, and had rust fixed on rear lower drivers side quarter panel). This truck has been very reliable, I drive it all over the country and still driving it all over the country, the mileage doesnt worry me at all. 5.3 extended cab, z71. Fuel mileage is 17 on highway and 12 in cities.

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  Not so bad - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By TheRat - July 8 - 8:06 am

  This is the third GM car that I have purchased. Love the style. Have had only one problem other then normal maintenace.

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  Poor fuel economy - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MB - July 8 - 2:43 am

  We have had our Trailblazer fro about 10 months...and basically I love it EXCEPT for the fuel econmy! It STINKS! It seems every other day I am putting gas in, and I only have a 5-7 mile commute daily. It doesnt even come close to my friends Ford Freestlye as far as fuel economy. Other than that, it is a very comfortable ride and is fun to drive.

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  American Astro quality is unmatched - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By UAW Forever - July 7 - 5:10 am

  I love my Astro, its been the most reliable car Ive ever had. American build quality is making waves once again and Im proud to own this vehicle. Handles great, the 4.3 vortec is bullet-proof and super responsive. You dont have to worry about little problems because the Astro parts while not luxurious are very time-tested.

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  The price is right - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By mark schmid - July 6 - 10:46 am

  Good price and no problems so far with 16,000 on it. Nice looking in and out and more room than expected but could do better on mileage.

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  Nice mix of Minivan and SUV - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Don Bistrow - July 6 - 9:56 am

  What caught my eye was the Uplander styling when I saw it in a parking lot. I like the hood styling and thought it was an SUV until I noticed the sliding doors. The exterior and interior styling is very nice. Some things could be improved like the cheap plastic on some parts. The seats front and second row could go back further, the middle row does not leave much leg room, especially for adults. I like the instrument panel, the cruise control should be higher up on the side of the wheel instead of near the bottom. The ride and handling are very good and with the rear seats out this vehicle works perfect for cargo. The sliding doors make access easy. Its like an SUV with van features.

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  Best of the mid-size crossovers. - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By exec1107 - July 6 - 6:36 am

  Ordered 11/30/09. Delivered 01/30/10. LT1 w/pwr drivers seat, upgraded speakers, back-up camera. Dealer accessories included mud guards, cargo net and cargo shade. Solid vehicle. Peppy 4-cyl, esp when not in "Eco" mode. Getting 21-22 mpg in town, and engine not fully broken in yet. Large, comfy seats. Quiet cabin. Sensible dash layout. Attractive interior and exterior styling. "Eco" mode causes earlier shifting, so sometimes car will rumble at low speeds. Very few of these cars on dealers lots. Well worth the wait.

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  dont buy the 6 speed transmission! - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By el_hoppy - July 6 - 1:14 am

  love the looks and ride but the 6 speed "learning" transmission is crap. it jerks and makes noise during low speed gear changes. GM says its "normal" and will not repair.