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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  Hope it gets stolen - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Todd - November 21 - 2:05 pm

  I hate this vehicle. Rear bearings went out at 42K miles. Now front bearings are going out. Complained to Chevy and they wouldnt back it up because I bought it used and a local mechanic did the work. The fact it was poor quality didnt play into it. GM and Chevy have lost me forever.

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  To the curb it went! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Rush Limbaugh - November 21 - 4:20 am

  After a few years, we decided to trade our Equinator in on a 4 door rubicon. Electrical issues were a major concern with this chevy. The Equinox has potential to be a great vehicle for some, but GM has to quit putting cheap parts in their vehicles. This was our biggest issue. trade in value is a reflection of how cheap this vehicle is.

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  Water Water Everywhere - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By familydad - November 20 - 1:57 pm

  I bought this car after left my previous job since it was my company car. 5000 miles later, I also had the 1st cylinder misfire which was a costly repair. This car has a design and/or engineering flaw because everytime it rains, the spare tire compartment fills with water. Once it gets too full or you have to brake hard, the water sloshed forward and continues to soak the back and front seat floors. I contacted Chevy and they are not initiating a recall for this known problem. Chevy is not reimbursing to get this leak fixed because they have no idea where all the water is coming from... It is very frustrating to have to empy the rear storage to use a vacuum everytime it rains...

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  Are you kidding me? Again? - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By 05 Chevy - November 20 - 12:30 am

  I HATE THIS CAR! The steering goes out whenever it wants. Ive had it fixed only after 6 months of owning-yet, it continues to happen. It has just shut off on me at redlights, it pretty much starts when it feels like it. Its actually in the shop now because it didnt want to start. Oh, and the lights on this car blow so frequently be prepared to have the Autozone workers know you by name. I HATE THIS CAR! Never will I in a million years buy another Chevy or recommend this piece of crap car to anyone.

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  Wasted Money - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By JGer - November 18 - 5:33 pm

  Very disappointed in this car. If this is the best that GM can do then I guess I finally have to go the way of millions of other car buyer and buy foreign. The design of the car is a cheap knockoff of a Honda Accord. I want an American car, not a copy of a Japanese car. The interior is cheap and plastic, looks more like a Chevy Chevette then an Impala. I paid way too much for this car, even with GMs paultry "incentives". No wonder GM is going broke!

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  Steering Shaft/transmission slipping - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Harry McGee - November 18 - 2:28 pm

  I purchased car new and when slowing to stop the car shut off 4 different times. It would start back up ok. When starting off transmission slipped 8 times. Starting about 20,000 miles you would hear a clicking sound/bump when you backed up and started off. I went back to the dealer about 10 times trying to get these things taken care of. They would drive the car and say they cannot find anything wrong. Asked them to put all info in the computer. At 35,000, bad rotors, 43,000 bad tire rods, they paid for both. About 80,000 miles replaced Intermediate steering shaft my cost. Driving 2010 Toyoto Camry now. This was my 6th Chev. Impala and I will never buy another Chevrolet. You Decide.

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  Expensive Lemon! - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Joe - November 17 - 11:21 pm

  Bought this 2008 Suburban about 15 months ago and it has been in and out of the shop ever since. Tire sensors keep failing. Power locks keep failing. Last and worst - had to replace BOTH front hub rings at different times. Left front wheel almost flew off on highway at 65 MPH! Definite NOT as reliable and indestructible as my two 2001 Suburbans. Have they started making them out of plastic? I get an idea why GM went bankrupt now.

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  AFTER MY 1ST YEAR - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tom - November 17 - 7:14 pm

  Purchased this car a year ago, had 22,000 on it now has 42,000. Back to dealership for minor things, but had to replace 2 tires, I swear they are rubbing something under the vehicle, steel belts came through, shouldnt w only 42,000 on them. Just your BASIC sedan next vehicle will be the Hyundai sonata hell of a lot more car for the money

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  Reliable but lacks quality - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Gearhead - November 14 - 3:22 pm

  Up until recently vehicle has required only minimal mechanic work. Water pumps go out every few years and there has always been minor leaks all over the place, but thats about it. Seat reclining levers suck and break unless treated like a delicate flower tho and are ridiculously expensive. The 2WD is horrible in WI winters. The vehicle has always shifted like junk with a "kick". Drivers side door has never fit properly despite no accidents, and you can always hear the wind whistling through, also hinge pin wears out every few yrs. At 125,000 mi, tranny lost reverse and had bad intake manifold leak 2 mo. later #1 piston went out. Engine has been reliable, but overall the truck lacks quality

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  Cobalt - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Cobalt - November 14 - 3:17 pm

  So far a good car. Has 60k on it now. Good MPG. About 30mpg avg. Nice looking car. Boring interior. Would recommend getting higher model with power opts. Dislike the cup holders. Way to big. Drinks spill all the time when turning. Dislike where the seat adjustments are. Hard to reach while in the car. Great car, fun being a 5- speed. Peppy 2.2L ecotec motor. Just take care of it, and it will do the same. Like any car! =)