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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  Great vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By rob - June 8 - 4:25 pm

  Very roomy for a family of 7. Great for long trips with the DVD system and interior comfort. Tons of storage space..for a family of 7. Gas mileage is excellent for the vehicle size we averaged 14.7 over the first several years. Powerful engine that can handle mountainous roads with ease.

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  Disappointed - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Nicole - June 8 - 3:22 pm

  I ordered a new 2010 AWD LTZ Equinox. It was beautiful when it arrived. About 2 weeks of driving the engine started reving up to scary RPM. Took it to the dealer and they said it was the TRANSMISSION. It has been 3 weeks now and no one seems to be able to get a transmission to replace mine. Contacted GM and they do not seem to be concerned either. So for now I am disappointed I bought an Equinox and a GM vehicle. So I wait for the dealership to try to replace my transmission and I am going to have to make a payment on something I have not been able to drive. DISAPPOINTED!

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  Awesome car - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Renea - June 8 - 10:04 am

  I love my Cobalt! Handles great, dependable, looks fantastic, plenty of room in back seat and front lays way back. Perfect car

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  GM needs to do better - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By craig dickinson - June 8 - 9:07 am

  Owned the vehicle for 4 years. Bought it with 29,000 miles on it traded it at 90,000 miles. Great 1st two years of ownership. Comfortable back seat, great on long trips, liked the exterior styling. Interior did not hold up. Seat material started looking like an old sweater, paint on interior controls faded away, front seats squeaked endlessly etc. Started getting nickeled and dimed with 150-250 dollar repairs around 70,000 miles tranny went out at 90k. Bottom line, the car seemed to age very poorly. Would not recommend it as a used car purchase.

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  Never Again - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By AnnaB - June 8 - 5:24 am

  Bought used with 23k miles and soon as I drove off lot engine light came on! After 35,000 cd player went out, brakes go out every 6-7 months, at 52k miles driver window wont go down at all. Worst car of my life. Not enough room Take my key out no lights on still continues to ding used to be able to pull key at angel to get it to stop now that wont work Chevy cant figure out whats wrong. No way to use e-brake if you need it without ruining interior and getting all sticky. Seats stain with just water being used on them. Stay away from the equinox! interior flakes with no effort. will never own again staying away from GM altogether nothing but problems from them

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  Do Not Buy! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Moonbeam - June 7 - 7:17 pm

  I purchased my 05 brand new and could have never imagined such problems with a new car. The details are too long to list but there have been issues from the beginning ranging from engine trouble to the interior simply falling apart. Unfortunately I am stuck with this vehicle right now but unless the President of Chevy personally calls me to apologize and offers me a free vehicle I will never drive Chevy again. Please take my advice and do the same.

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  bitter sweet - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By delano - June 6 - 9:56 pm

  I have owned this car for a 1 1/2 years. Dont purchase one with a removable top if you want to stay dry. I have replaced all the seals. It still leaks, radio poor, steering wheel lockout disable as soon possible.

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  I will miss my baby :( - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Summur - June 6 - 9:40 pm

  I bought my 97 cavalier used in may of 04, I car ran great I never had any major problems till recently. About a month ago all hell broke loose! Replaced battery, starter, some valves on engine and then fuel pump. She still isnt starting. I have nothing bad to say about her though, she has well over 210,000 miles on her and she is 13 years old. It was hard to let go. She was a very very reliable car.

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  Nice, I guess - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Gene - June 6 - 9:30 pm

  I actually have the V-6 Equinox. That is my biggest debate on this vehicle. I like the vehicle. It is nice and roomy. The adjustable backseat works for carrying the kids and then adjusting to carry my work stuff. So far, it seems to be working well. I heard about how well the I4 is performing,but went with the V6 because I like to move and may need to pull a motorcycle trailer. Yet, the engine has not been that impressive. It has an initial lag. The transmission can be a bit harsh. I was just not impressed with it. The only other complaint I have is the fog lights. This model has automatic lights. Yet, I have to reach past the regular light switches to reach the fog lights. annoying

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  My first sunroof auto - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By B Marquez - June 6 - 7:44 pm

  I absolutely was sold on this car! I love its smooth ride, power sunroof, leather interior, good gas mileage and sporty chrome wheels. I couldnt have bought a nicer car for the price.