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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  GM got me back - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By hitmanws6 - January 8 - 1:43 am

  I love this car. It handles way better then my Integra did and the low end power is there. It pulls through the rpm range very strong. Shifts are very quick with no drama. Seats have lots of long haul comfort. I take this car 600 miles in a weekend just about every month and its a blast to drive.

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  Good Value - 2014 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Richard - January 7 - 10:32 am

  I have owned minivans, big suvs, and cars. The Equinox is "medium sized." MPG in normal driving is 24, highway 28. Ride is comfortable even for trips. Decent room for 5. Rear cargo area is adequate. Only complaint is a leaking rear shock which was replaced under warranty. After hearing about some internal engine oil passage ways being a little undersized subject to restricting oil flow causing early timing chain failure I started changing oil at 5000-6000 miles . Oil monitor reaches 20%. I always use synthetic oil. Prefer Mobil extended, Pennzoil, etc. Cleaned throttle body and new spark plugs at 50,000 miles. Still runs like new.

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  08 Suburban LT 4x4 - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By William - January 7 - 9:51 am

  I took posession of my factory ordered Suburban the weekend before the GM labor strike. The quality of my unit should be an example - no problems noted so far. I test drove the Suburban, Yukon/XL and Hummer H2 over a several month period before deciding to order. The new exterior is pleasing, the interior is well designed and comfortable. Leather in Titanium soiled easy - later added Factory seat covers. Radio sounds great - GPS unit has worked flawlessly, though needs upgrade for new road construction in last year. Engine accelerates smooth...in-city driving 11MPG...highway cruise control driving 23 MPH at 55MPH, 19MPH at 65MPH, 16-17MPH at 75MPH. 4WD/Auto provides good traction in snow.

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  2000 Chevrolet Impala. Best Car I ever owned!! - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jeanette Gerhart - January 7 - 1:27 am

  Purchased my 2000 Chevrolet Impala new on Fourth of July, 2000! I drive hard & fast & put miles on my cars. Drove out to Las Vegas a few years ago, fabulously comfortable ride!! So much space inside of car, and huge trunk for bringing back souveniers. Springtime - huge trunk will hold @12-15 bags of mulch!!

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  Trading Down - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tom G. - January 5 - 1:06 pm

  Recently traded in our 2005 Tahoe for the 2006 Impala, the main reason being the price of gas. The Impalas ride, performance and gas mileage are very respectable, as is the interior room. The new look for 2006 puts it right up there with oter cars in its class. Interior nice, but a little on the bland side, as is most Chevys.

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  I love this truck! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Pat - January 5 - 7:33 am

  At 170,000 miles now, this truck runs like new. The 4.8 motor has plenty of power, and still gets upwards of 22mpg - although it doesnt do as well in town driving (maybe 14-15 mpg). But compared to other full size trucks, that dont get as good mpg, and some have less power, this truck cant be beat.

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  Great Little Car - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jim - January 4 - 7:05 pm

  Great car, with good gas mileage, performace, quiet, good ride quality and handling

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  Back to my roots - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Glen S - January 4 - 6:56 pm

  Reluctant to purchase a domestic car after years of owning Toyotas. Couldnt pass up the incentives. Surprising so, its a much better car than I expected. It handles well, is quiet, a much better looking interior than the bland Toyotas, and its very versitle when it comes to hauling those Saturday morning purchases. Only time will tell if the quality has improved over my last Chevys, I sure hope so. But its still a good feeling to be back in Chevys, a good old USA product.

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  Fun, Pretty, But In The Shop Alot - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Mamabug - January 4 - 5:24 pm

  I adore this truck. Its my first, Ive wanted one for years. Its comfortable, I love the look, the mileage is good. Just didnt expect to have it in the shop 6 times in the year Ive had it. Starting issues, noisy brakes, injector issues, and computer software issues with no fix. Thank God for my warranty. Gets a little sluggish on towing, but I only own the base model. So it didnt surprise me to have to baby the brakes when I have a 950 lb load in the bed. Its rates to tow approx 4k lbs, but I wouldnt pull more than 1k with what Ive got.

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  08 FWD Equinox LXT - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By sbarno - January 4 - 12:26 pm

  Only 1000 miles so far, Satisfied to date. After I bought it, I see more Nox on the road than Ive saw before. A little thorn is with a vehicle of this size you would think that it would have better mpg as I do 60% hwy. Disappointed with the decrease in the driving range when the car idles. I hope this improves as it gets broken in. Maybe Ill have to shut the engine off at stop lights, kind of what they do in Europe.