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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  Best Compact Car In Years - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By krocket - July 5 - 1:56 pm

  Ive owned Honda Accords, and Toyota Camrys (from the early 90s, back when they were mostly 4 cylinder). The Cobalt is a sedan to be reckoned with. It is by far the best handling car I have owned to date. Highly recommend it to everyone! They are fun to drive, and great on gas. 145 HP, and 205 on the SS! Plenty of room for passengers and drivers. I have the 16" wheels, sport package, along with upgraded stereo and subwoofer. Turns on a dime! Nice size trunk, cool having the battery in the trunk! Driver information center is a treat. I plan to keep this car for a very very long time. Buy one, you wont regret it!

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  6.6L diesel aint what it should be. - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
  By Norm W. - July 4 - 11:40 am

  Great truck for the ride & comfort. The 6.6 Diesel has exhaust re-gen problems, GM says there is no fix, get used to the smell of exhaust in the cab. I would not recommend the $8,000 for the diesel, go with the 6.0 gas engine. I get 7-8 MPG pulling a 34 5th wheel...lots of power, lots of exhaust fumes to contend with. The Allison trans is a great feature!

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  Nice Car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By luisga - July 4 - 10:03 am

  Powerful and great in gas. For those of you that are having problems with the tire pressure monitor system and your warranty expired it is easy to fix and all under $50 (for each tire but usually not all sensor go at the same time) Just get the sensor on an online auction and go to your local tire shop. They will install it for about $15. To reset it is easy just follow the owners manual.

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  super sporty - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By supersport guy - July 4 - 10:00 am

  i have a 01 ss monte blk with blk cloth. just returned with it from florida and averaged 27-28mpg at 65+ with ac on...great for a heavy car. My only true complaint is my fault-i hate the back-it shows ever spot of dust and scratches ezy... next car will be a light color.. But it still looks hot when it gets twlight out..

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  Wish I had know more details about vehicle - 2014 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Over 60 - July 4 - 1:38 am

  I was very disappointed after purchasing my 2014 Equinox. I had owned a Hyundai Santa Fe for 10 years and loved it. After researching decided to go with Chevrolet in 2013. It is so difficult to get in the drivers seat. At first I was constantly hitting my head. I have learned to bend down to get in. There is no room in the drivers seat. The console goes to the back. Hard to reach the lid to close. When going to an ATM, it is impossible to reach out the window. It is very difficult for passengers to get in and out of passenger side. Seats slope on sides and are hard. I have owned the vehicle for 2 years and looking to replace it. It will be my first vehicle I will not drive for 10 years!

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  glad they dont make them anymore - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mart - July 3 - 9:27 pm

  at 47000 miles head gasket,water pump.thermostat had to be replaced.at 55000 miles fuel pump had to be replaced,located inside of fuel tank,oil filter is in a bad location,air conditioner has stop working.when car does run it runs good and get good gas mileage.

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  Good Car! - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jaytee1984 - July 3 - 5:20 pm

  I bought this car in College with 49k. It now has 88k and have only had minor problems, the fuel pump went out at 86k, and the blinkers wont work every once in a while. Also the check engine light randomly comes on for a day or two. The first 2 years I had this car i drove it a lot and have only had to do regular maint. and it is a great little car, wish I would have gotten the sunroof tho.

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  Wanted more, it is what it is! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By The Rig - July 2 - 7:16 pm

  I will say that the exterior of the vehicle is hands down the best of all the compact trucks on the market. I was also very surprised at how much room this truck has for my boys car seat in this roomy crew. The Tacoma just did not have that kind of room. Though here is where it goes wrong for me. The truck just seems cheaply made. From the cheap looking interior, to the rough fit of the doors. I was spoiled with my 03 Honda Accord and just need to remember I guess, that this vehicle is American made, and it is what it is.

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  Good car for the Money - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By ChicagoDave - July 2 - 2:39 pm

  I bought this car in November of 2008, it was the cheapest car I could find and I am surprisingly pleased with it. The drive is smooth and unexciting, the radio is decent enough, the controls are laid out nicely the front seat are comfortable enough to be in for a few hours at a time and its a compact car that has enough power to pass semis on the highway.

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  Underestimated - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By jdc7659 - July 2 - 2:36 pm

  The Cobalt is more capable and fun to drive than any of its competitors.