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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  HPE700 LS9 - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By hpe700 - January 6 - 1:37 pm

  This has been the most fun I think I have ever had and it is a thrill ride every time I go for milk or bread

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  FWD HORRIBLE in the snow. - 2013 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mgrauvogl - December 27 - 8:42 am

  Love my new Equinox overall. Very stylish, roomy and lots of fun features. The back up camera is a plus and added with OnStar I have a reliable, comfortable driving experience. There are two things I do not like about the vehicle...one is driving on wet or snow covered roads. I elected not to pay the extra for the AWD and am kicking myself for it. I figured for the amount of time I spend on bad roads I really didnt need the AWD. Well, even on the city roads when the least bit wet or a dusting of snow and I feel like there is no control to the vehicle at all! And secondly, the blind spots are real bad.

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  Best of the four I have owned, by a mile! - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By chugcatsts01 - December 21 - 2:24 pm

  I bought my 68 in 1969, the 87 in 89, 05[C6] in 07. All convertibles. This is my first coupe and the best yet. The LS3 must be underated, it is way quicker than the 05 LS2. The standard obtions are too many to list. Mine is the 6spd Auto standard rear. The arctic white w/beige int is stunning. Mine has the Z-51 pakage and rides better than my wifes 05 Cad STS Northstar. She is jealous, just like anyone who hasnt had A vette. I was a CUMMINS Engine Dealer and understand tourqe. It is hard to beleive how well the traction control works. I know Corvettes for 33 years, this was a great find w/11,200 pampered miles. At 69 YO I have never had trouble with one. No one tries you at a traffic light!

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  Great Buy! - 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
  By themrchen - December 20 - 11:42 am

  bought this car for my daughter, I was enjoying my new camaro and noticed what a sharp looking vehicle this was, she needed a new car and we got a good deal, about 14k. car gets over 35 mpg highway and 30 mpg in town mixed communting, never misses a beat. handling was funny when new, car came with 46 pounds of air in tires, tail would wag on hwy, reduced pressure and broke tires in and handling is perfect. what more could you ask from this 14k$ car? its fantastic

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  Great Car for a Great Price - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By mikearcure - December 19 - 11:07 pm

  Just bought this car last month and Im pleased so far. The car is very fun to drive and its a great value. Styling is spot-on. My list of gripes is short. Any 2005 model car should come with standard power locks and windows and a headphone jack. No standard OnStar or center armrest. The storage bin is too small. However, most of these complaints are superficial. Overall, this is a great car that I would recommend to anyone looking for an American compact between $5,000 and $10,000. Just try to stay away from a base model car.

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  Best vehicle around - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By vthokie12 - December 19 - 4:05 pm

  Purchased LT 4x4 model used with 42K miles on it...now 130K miles later the only thing Ive had to do is put gas and oil in this work horse and it goes! I have owned everything under the sun and typically have maintenance problems with vehicles around 100K, but the Tahoe has broken that mold and I could not be happier. Hopefully they still make them like this when I buy a newer one.

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  The best car I have ever owned so far, - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By marqukitea - December 18 - 4:13 pm

  I bought my 2005 Impala, 2011, Its a good car But the gas miles suck, Its a good family car cause I have 3kids, The car was 10,000 But it had low miles to that why I got it. Im almost done payin for it Only owe abot 32hun So thats good I would buy another Impala, But now im lookin for an Truck by GM, So I have my eye on an Chevy Treverse, Good luck to me.

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  dimming of interior lights - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By dissapointed20 - December 17 - 7:57 am

  I know I can not be the only Equinox owner with the crazy intermittent dimming of the interior lights..at times it is so dark you cant read the speedometer..I understand the concept of dimming lights but this goes beyond the normal. I have had the sencor replaced 3 times and told this is normal..has anyone else monitored their dash as carefully as I have..this cant be a normal occurance..and the snow senor pops up at 37 degrees no matter whether its in the garage or on the road..this dimming is a big issue. And the gas milage is over-rated- poor

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  Very nicely done! - 2013 Chevrolet Equinox
  By chevy1969 - December 14 - 12:29 pm

  Picked up the 2LT 4cyl in white diamond w/light titanium leather interior and the 18" upgrade chrome wheels and man it does look sharp! I bought it for my fiance for Bday/Xmas and I think im happier than she is. First thing is it does get 33 mpg I saw it I calculated it and the onboard computer saved it too...achieved on the NJ Turnpike driving 65 mph, im sure if you take it to 70+ it drops way off but it will achieve the mileage they claim on the highway. Second is the light titanium leather interior...very nice! It has been a focal point of everyone thats looked at it. My Toyota fan club neighbor came walking by and I opened the door and his eyes popped out his skull..literally..

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  Great Truck - 2012 Chevrolet Colorado
  By oldschool14 - December 13 - 6:58 pm

  So far this has been a great truck. It handles very well, rides decent for a 4X4 and its gas mileage is good for a 4x4. It also looks better than its competition but that is a matter of personal preference. Some of the reviews dont really reflect this is a truck for its intended purpose and not a car. Excellent 4X4 capabilities.