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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  Great Vehicle - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jerry - August 5 - 7:16 pm

  I got away from GM for a few years and missed the the GM ride and features. This SUV is excellent, great looks, fun to drive and very good performance!

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  2010 Equinox is Excellent - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By njane - August 5 - 3:33 pm

  I recently returned from an 1100 mile trip to Eastern NY in my 2010 Equinox LT 4cyl. The ride was comfortable and quiet. The engine has sufficient power to take on the mountains in eastern NY with no effort. I had a little over 500 miles on it when I left and averaged 30mpg on the highway with the cruise. I found the electric power steering on the 4 cyl to be both responsive and firm unlike other electric power steering.

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  Dont buy one - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By fishguy204 - August 5 - 1:50 pm

  This little truck has been a headache from day one. In four months I have replaced the front brakes and rotors, the fuel pump and the wheel bearings. Pretty well the only thing I like about it is the looks.

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  In the shop too much. - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By No More GM Guy - August 5 - 11:54 am

  Bought this car for my daughter, so she would have a reliable car, under factory warranty while attending collage. Has had fuel injectors, steering column, battery, starter, gear shifter and air bag sensor replaced. Well now it will go out of warranty this month. I am dreading what it is going to cost me in the long run to keep it on the road. The mechanics at the dealership said, we needed to trade the thing off. High depreciation rules that out.

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  Best Car Ever - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jon - August 5 - 10:16 am

  Honestly, I think this is the best car gm made lately. We bought it in 03 with 26k on it and now it have almost 160k and I havent had any Major issues at all! Only done preventative maintenance and it has never (I mean never!) let me down. Ive gone all over the country, pulled a trailer for over 1000 miles at a time, hauled tons of stuff and it just keeps going. It has hands down outperformed any vehicle I have ever had. (including imports) we just purchased a lower mileage Yukon and I kept the Tahoe with my business. Im going to see just how far it will go (Im guessing 300k or so) well see!

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  Great car - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jessica - August 5 - 5:40 am

  I have had this vehicle for about two months and love it! The exterior styling of this car is sporty and fun. The interior could use a little work, but for the cost its pretty good quality. Gas mileage is reasonable at about 19-21. The leather driver seat is very comfortable, but the back seats are kind of hard. I love the steering wheel buttons for the stereo and cruise control, its so much easier to reach while driving. I traded my 01 Blazer for this car. Even though my old car was comfortable, I love how much more modern this Equinox is.

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  CHEAPEST CAR, NO PROBLEMS - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By molle888 - August 5 - 12:34 am

  I bought my 2001 Cavi in 2000 with 9 miles on the car. It was really cheap, $12,000 brand new. I wasnt expecting this car to last, but now were in 2009 and I have never had a problem with the car. I have had the brakes replaced once, but other than that, with regular oil changes, this car has been a jewel. The AC work so much better than my Mitsubishi Montero, of the same age. The gas mileage is a HUGE plus. I adore my Cavi. Forget the high priced cars with the fancy names, GET A CHEVY CAVALIER! I have had nothing but great times with mine! I hope she lasts another 10 years!

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  Love my Impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By OrlandoBill - August 5 - 12:12 am

  My 03 Impala LS has been great. Excellent fuel mileage (21 avg, 28.5 hwy @ 145k miles). Using Castol Syntec, change when computer says to. Replaced catalytic converter ($800) which seems to be an Impala plague. 130k: transmission started to slip, but nothing serious. Used Seafoam Transmission and most shifting problems went away. 146k: replaced both front bearings ($650). 2.5-3 years: battery dies w/o warning.

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  Nice Car - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By DoconTEX - August 4 - 11:53 pm

  Only had it 3 days, but I really like this car. Had a 2000 LS and put 145,000 mile on it with no significant problems. This car has great performance, acceleration, handling. It is quiet and the radio and sound system is fantastic. Mileage is not as good as I would have hoped, but it is just getting broken in and I havent taken it on any lengthy drives yet. All in all, I am very pleased

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  Blue Lemon! - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Howie - August 4 - 11:03 pm

  My employer picked up this car in September 2001 and its been a nightmare ever since. Right from the start, something was dysfunctional in the heating system, so no heat blew to the feet. (And, being from Manitoba, you need all the warmth you can get in winter!) Eventually, that cost nearly $1000 to fix. Then, at 100K, the head gasket gave out (coolant into oil pan, etc.). Another $1000 repair. At 200K, the intake manifold gasket bit the dust - another $1000 gone. Stay away from this car! The heating system is awful, the glove box falls out & the seats are intolerable for anything but short trips. Id rather take my 1992 Camry than this car anywhere any day! Parts are expensive.