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:

• 

  Best Ever 2010 Tahoe ls - 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Twright - June 2 - 8:34 pm

  Good suspension, Good Appearance, Very smooth ride, 5.3 liter a plus of many, Good lights at night, Interior GREAT, For 3 kids it is Great, Seats 9, It is the most room for the price, short of a suburban. For a good experience get a Tahoe, the best made

• 

  One owner Tahoe served us well! - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By supreme - June 2 - 6:04 pm

  I bought this truck new back in 98 and so far Ive put almost 200,000 miles on it. I love it! Ive owned many cars in my life and I havent owned any of them for as long as my Tahoe has lasted (Ford, Pontiac, other Chevys, Dodge, and Buicks). The 350 V8 is bulletproof the only problems have been with accessories (brakes, steering, electrical). It is horrible on gas but what do you expect for such a large vehicle? Its taken my family on many cross-country trips and performs without skipping a beat in the snow. My kids are all grown and moved out and I still cant let it go! I plan on driving this truck until it dies in my driveway. Buy one and you can count on many enjoyable miles!

• 

  Great SUV - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Patti - June 2 - 5:50 pm

  Compared Honda CR-V to Chevy Equinox. Went with the Equinox based on reviews & test drive. Needed a car for long weekend trips. This one so far exceeds our expectations. Its fun to drive, comfortable, and great on gas mileage.

• 

  I love this car - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Michael S. Terrell - June 2 - 12:33 pm

  There is nothing wrong with our lumina, yeah she has had a few engine mishaps in her time but we drive her all the time. Shes 12 years old and over 170,000 miles but still runs great. I dont need her for speed just get me where Im going. Great on gas for long distances. Drove her from NY to Texas, then to California a few times, Arizona also. My wife wants an rv, thats fine. I plan on a new Chevy Lumina someday. She needs a wash and wax, and in/out cleaning but still looks great, rides great. Boo yahh!

• 

  Cheap Car (Junk) - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Chevyman - June 2 - 11:39 am

  I Bought my Aveo in Jan. 2009, I put a lot of miles on a car, I was hoping that this car would be dependable cheap transportation, not the case at all. My 2008 has been at the Chevy dealer more in the past two months, than at my house. Gas mileage has dropped, multiple idiot lights on, worst one is the engine light, they have replace multiple components, still not fixed lucky for me it was a "certified" car and I still had a little bit of warranty on it, I am sure the bill would exceed what the car is worth. I am a Chevy guy, I have to say this is the worst piece of crap that Chevy has ever put their bow tie on, I would recommend this car to my ex-wife enough said. Also Horrible in snow.

• 

  My 2006 Chevy Equinox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Markh1953 - June 2 - 4:47 am

  I love this car! It gets about 27 mpg on the highway, looks great and is fun to drive. I like it enough to get another one someday in a newer model. The engine is peppy, accelerates nicely, and passing is a breeze. I am a satisfied owner!

• 

  This is not your fathers Oldsmobile. - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By JohnnyD - June 2 - 12:36 am

  Ok kids. You probably dont even know what the review title means, sigh. Look it up. I bought mine new, 4/24/99. Only serious problem - annoying rear end noise, but Ill get that fixed someday. New Katskin Black (real black, not some misnamed gray) leather, new top, just had a repaint, incredible. Bought 99 cause dealer said no more would be built. Wrong - three more years! However, Ive had it for over 11 yrs and it cant be bought. Like my wife and kids, not perfect, but wouldnt trade for anything. Car has many imperfections, but like I said I wouldnt trade it for anything. Defines Bang for the Buck! Great performance, terrible comfort for an old guy, but Ill own it.

• 

  Junk! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By kyle - June 1 - 7:26 pm

  I bought this car recently and its a hunk of junk. I need a new engine already it cracked for some reason. Thats gm for ya. This car is a headache. Dont buy this car. And the sunroof is very noisy and it leaks a lot to if there is a heavy rain. The plastic parts need to be better made to. When I walked out from the store to open my door the handle popped right off. So when I get in my car I have to go to the passengers door just to get in. I regret buying this car. What a waste of money.

• 

  Great car so far! - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sharmin - June 1 - 4:44 pm

  Purchased a certified, pre-owned and so far it is fabulous! Great exterior look and very roomy interior with well placed instruments and controls. I am very short and he is very tall and neither one of us have problems driving or riding with comfort. Would definitely recommend this car!

• 

  Trailblazer - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Brian - June 1 - 1:57 pm

  Love it. Gas mileage poor 15city/21 (maybe 22 downhill) highway. Better highway mileage with 87 or better octane. It is a SUV. Purchased used with 16k miles on it in 08. Do a nearly cross-country trip every year so was looking for a vehicle like this. I can pile most of the kids soccer team in it. Now have 92k miles on so far. Other than check engine light (think it went on at 75k) and gas gauge not working (I let it run out of gas and hasnt worked since) its been a great vehicle.