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:

• 

  Love It - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By dvilla57 - June 16 - 7:06 pm

  I traded my Impala for the Equinox because we were going on a road trip and wanted more room. The Equinox has that. We traveled from Texas to Califoria and back without a hitch. Gas mileage is good. Lots of leg room. I like the sporty look of the Equinox even though it is not the sport model. The position of the windo controls took a little getting used to. All in all I would recommend this vehicle.

• 

  WOW.......almost perfect - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By whandlos - June 16 - 3:33 pm

  3k miles on a 2LT and I am blown away. Nothing,.....I mean nothing within 10,000 bucks of this price point feels as quality as this car. Gas mileage averaging 35 mpg for one hour trip each way for work and my 63" 230 lbs body is comfortable all the way. This car is amazingly quiet and rivals my coworkers BMW in riding experience. No, not for power of course.......but if you buy a cruze you are doing it for the mileage. The car has plenty of pickup for passing on a two lane highway. Not so much at all off the line, as the car is programmed not to use the turbo at low speeds to save you from yourself. With the tranny software upgrade (make sure you bring it in for that), all is good

• 

  Oh How I Wish I Had Kept This Car - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By R Carter - June 16 - 2:09 pm

  I bought my 91 Cavalier-VL in 1991 and regretfully traded it in 2002 for something with less mileage. It had over 186000 miles on it when I traded it. It ran like a champ. Total repair costs for the 11 yrs I had it was probably not over $1000 I bet if even that much. Absolutely the best car I have ever had and wish to this day (in 2009)I still had it.

• 

  Good little truck - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By tonym - June 16 - 11:17 am

  Overall I like the truck. Had some initial problems with a bad Onstar module that was draining the battery. Was fixed under warranty. Gas mileage could be better but have been averaging 20.5 mpg combined lately. Much, much better than the F150 this replaced. Decent styling, very good ride. Fit and finish of exterior could be better. Four wheel drive with locking differential was a big plus during our last New England winter.

• 

  Great little car - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By miles - June 16 - 11:05 am

  I just stepped up into my 99 prizm from a 97 ranger. The name Prizm doesnt inspire anything good, but this car far surpasses my expectations. It is a 5 speed stick and insanely fast for a 1.8 4 cyl, it is fun to drive and gets excellent gas mileage. I am a mechanic and I know a good car when I see one, this is by far the best car for the money, being a corolla, with unbeatable reliability. A great car.

• 

  Bad to the Bone - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By bradmeeks - June 16 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed this truck and plan on keeping it as a second vehicle when I decide to buy another. It rides a little rough, but has good off road performance and is tough.

• 

  Awesome Ride - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By moses1223 - June 16 - 10:00 am

  This car, for the price, is unbeatable! Shopped around for better deals with Ford, Dodge, and Toyota. For the price, its the best! I enjoy the smooth ride and the amazing amount of room. What are you waiting for, Go get one!

• 

  TrailBlazer....Like a Rock!! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By opers13 - June 16 - 10:00 am

  This truck has an impressive engine. It has a lot more horsepower than other V8 suv/trucks out there. I agree the interior needs more work...exterior looks awesome...better than its closer "brother" GMC Envoy.

• 

  Beautiful - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By kirch - June 16 - 8:30 am

  The greatest thing about this car is blowing by cars that are modded to race. Most dont stand a chance with the hp and torque on this thing. Only one problem with it is that if you drive in salt a lot your rotors rust easily mine after 27k miles but dealer handles that as long as you dont void your warranty. Up to 34 mpg going 60 mph. Headturner no matter where you are. Not to mention the stock 18s look sweet

• 

  A Big Disappointment - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Diane - June 16 - 6:48 am

  Traded our Venture due to high mileage. During warranty period,power door motors had to be replaced twice, along with stabilizer bar, and horn. Power doors and back lift gate never close properly and road noise was terrible. DVD sometimes didnt work. Rotors replaced at 20,000 miles. After warranty expired, trouble continued. ABS light came on - $500 for a sensor and then needed another $1500 for wiring? Braking always scary -grinding and shaking when stopping. Power rear vents would occasionally not close, and power doors would open by themselves. If it would work right the van was nice. Trading for a Toyota.