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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  Peice of junk - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By bart18n - November 11 - 9:13 pm

  Everything seems to be falling apart day by day. Brakes have been replaced 3 times in two years. Front stabilizer bar has been replaced twice and I live in a city. new rattles every day that are impossible to pinpoint as they come from everything from the back panels in the back seat to the suspension to sun visors! went over a bump and the housing for the sunroof button just fell out of the headliner. Thankfully everything has been replaced under warranty except for brakes which is a big concern because they are quite expensive to replace if you have to replace them twice a year! only good things is the stereo which always sounds awesome and can really pound and the engine its self

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  Fully Loaded - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ADG21282 - November 11 - 8:47 pm

  Bought brand new. Fully loaded, paid extra for paint color. Loved it in the beginning. Then the problems began. CD player replaced 3 times...CDs get jammed in player, some dont play at all. Window controls and cup holders must have been placed by a blind guy. Sounds like a helicoptor is on top of me when the windows are open. Leather is horrible quality. Interior paint is chipping off. Uneven tire wear. Had issues with cooling system within first 2 years. Now, I get to play "Equinox Roulette" everytime I get in...will it start today? Found out a cylinder is misfiring and the coolant looks like mud. From reading other posts, seems like a blown head gasket...awesome.

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  Impressed former import owner - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By GFI - November 11 - 2:22 pm

  I purchased vehicle after more than 20 years of Toyotas and Hondas. I am well pleased with quality of design and with build quality. I have had four months of trouble free ownership and continue to be impressed by roominess, comfort, performance, and ride of vehicle. I was somewhat skeptical of domestic products, but am totally won over.

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  Gotta Love the Av - 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Av Daddy - November 11 - 2:13 pm

  This is my second Avalanche. First a WBH 2004 and now 2011. Would buy another one if they still were being built. Reliable, dependable, comfortable, and one of a kind. You gotta love this beast!

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  forget echo- buy this - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By railroad man - November 11 - 10:00 am

  old car broke.rented toyota echo for 1 month. read my review. one aveo test drive and i was sold. im at 6k miles and the only 2 problems ive encountered are during winter-a stiff rear hatch seal and ice damming up inside the fuel filler hatch. both very minor design problems. 30mpg solid at chicago tollway speeds. sunglass holder hell-saftey glass holder. how many of us have to wear them? dealer threw in mp3. station wagon no charge.real useable storage. my 400lb girlfriend even fits in it comfortably. hauls me and dive buddy and all our scuba gear with the rear seat down.nice ride quality.

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  Avafun - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By packoo - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Strong engine that gets thirsty with the AC on... Great for those who like Suburban type vechicle and needs the occasional pick up truck features... Body hardware useful in parking lots, plastic does well vs doors and carts slamming into it. All windows down with midgate up gives an airy feel without getting blown away on highway.

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  Best driving car Ive ever owned - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By tootoads - November 11 - 10:00 am

  It is absolutely fun to drive. Still get gawks from on lookers esp. youngsters. It is a rocket! Solid.

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  Best of the class - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rag - November 11 - 10:00 am

  In the high performance class, there is nothing close for the price. And add 37mpg on the highway with the 6 speed!

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  Silver LS Sport - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Taternator - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I took delivery on 4-27-04 and I have taken the car on one fairly long trip and I really, really like it. I have not seen any other cars exactly like mine, which makes me even more happy that i didnt get a camry or accord (i see those everywhere). I compared the impala to a LOT of other cars. I narrowed it down to the impala, the 05 altima, and the Mazda 6s. The altima was too expensive, and my wife didnt like it at all. The 6 was a good car, but was kinda expensive for its size. When i started to consider that i would have the car for about 10 yrs. i chose the impala. Every time i see the other two on the road, i am happy i made that decision.

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  You have to love it - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Belgoboy - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my vehicle a week ago. Pros: Amazingly smooth and comfortable drive at about any speed. At highway speeds, the engine stays between 3- 4000rpm almost all the time. The radio has a feature I didnt realize called "autovolume" that increases the volume as you drive. The A/C definetly works very well. Im in Phoenix with 100 degree temperatures over the summer and it cools you down very fast. Cons: The car miscalculates accelerations at times when going at high speeds. This only occured from 80- 90mph which is not a speed people are or should be doing anyways. Overall I am very impressed, especially as the Nox is my first new car purchase.