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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  3rd S-10 - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By dale - June 4 - 8:38 pm

  Bought the truck brand new. Loved the truck until I looked at the paint really good after its first bath. I found 100+ specs in the paint and took the truck to the dealership for repainting. They decided not to paint the truck after having it 3 weeks and I got my truck back color sanded and butter waxed. It looked good when I was walking up but then all I could see was the swirls in the crappy buff job they had done. I put 120,000 miles on it in a year and got another S-10 in 99. other than the paint the truck ran great.

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  Good littel fun car - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By LT1 - June 4 - 6:42 pm

  Just had my 1 year anniversary and I still love this car. It is just fun to drive and great to look at. I just really love looking at it and driving it. Cant beat the price for what you get.

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  I love my Suburban! - 2010 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Cissy - June 4 - 8:50 am

  I read Jens review and while the sunroof leak is regrettable, it sounds to me like the dealership is the real problem. That is unfortunate. My Z71 4WD Suburban has performed flawlessly, providing reliable service day after day. I drive ranch roads and tow a boat and do a fair amount of highway driving. lots of different surfaces and conditions, and this vehicle carries me everywhere in comfort AND holds everything I can stuff into it. Ive had no problems whatsoever and have complete confidence in the Suburban. If you can stand the gas mileage - you dont buy a Suburban to get great mileage - then I highly recommend this great truck. And no, I dont sell them.

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  Fun to drive - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By nb10ma - June 3 - 7:20 pm

  I am very happy with the Malibu. It is very good looking, the interior design is very classy and practical. It weighs over 3400 lb, but handles extremely well on highway around 75 mph.

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  Good gone bad - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By alexis green - June 3 - 5:05 pm

  I just got my car about 4 months ago, it was riding good, had no problem until now. My brake light kept coming on. So I took it to the shop to find out that my brake fluid was leaking into my master cylinder and they didnt know why. So now my car in the shop goin on 3 weeks waiting on a part to come in. Its a good car dont get me wrong but if any light starts to come on go get it check out.

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  Still Loving It! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Casey - June 3 - 3:54 pm

  Purchased my Equinox in Nov. 2009. Im still loving this SUV! Comfortable, reliable, roomy. Plenty of "get up and go" for a 4 cylinder. Ive never owned a 4-cylinder before and was a little concerned. Not any more! Im getting about 26 mpg in the city. Since I do mainly city driving, it is 3 weeks between fill ups. On highway driving, Im getting about 28 mpg. Not the expected 32, but still great for a SUV. You wont be disappointed with this purchase. Ive never loved an automobile so much before!

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  09 Colorado with 5.3 V8 - 2009 Chevrolet Colorado
  By jhwhite - June 3 - 1:13 pm

  I have to disagree with the Edmunds reviewer on my vehicle. With the 5.3 liter V8, this truck is more like a sports car with lots of power. The ride is better than I expected from a truck and the interior, although not fancy, is nice. I passed up on a much more expensive "quality" truck with fewer features and less power due to GM incentives and great pricing. Im very happy with my decision.

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  An excellent vehicle for familes. - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By farmerjohn - June 3 - 11:58 am

  We traded our Jeep Liberty in for the Traverse because we have two children and often drive to vacation destinations. The Traverse is a perfect alternative to a minivan, having lots of room for passengers and plenty more for cargo. Despite the extensive list of suggested improvements, this vehicle is a great vale compared to the others we looked at - the Acadia and the Enclave.

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  My Experinece - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rod3simmons - June 3 - 9:04 am

  I bought my TB LS in 2007 w/ 18,000k. Im currently operating this vehicle w/ 89,000. I have replaced the fuel pump, my LO Headlamps are in-opt, and Ive had interior issues from poor material. I have used this vehicle for daily commute to work and family trips. Im currently experiencing engine knocking. I have maintained proper oil changes, etc. I am looking at trading this vehicle in for a more reliable sedan with better mpg. I will likely have to hold on the this vehicle a little longer in order to finance another vehicle due to negative equity on the TB.

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  Garbage! - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By blackhaus50 - June 2 - 10:28 pm

  Front suspension is just awful, the truck was all over the road, pulled to the right bad when I used the brake. The interior would make all sorts of noise with the cheap plastic parts. Oh and how about the seat recliner handle. How many times did that break off. Just stay away!