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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  Love It! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By JJ - March 13 - 8:10 am

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I have only had my Nox for about 4 months and I was recently rear- ended. I was so scared to get out and see the damage. I was shocked to find a few scratches - the rubber part of the bumper holds up GREAT. Wonderful in the snow and I have the basic model. Great room & sound. Im getting ready to trade up to the LT Model. I get lots of compliments on this vehicle.

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  TRAILBLAZER- PROS & CONS - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By JOHN CASSATA - March 13 - 1:00 am

  LIKE IT VERY MUCH. NEEDED LEG ROOM AND LIKE RIDING UP HIGH VERY MUCH.NO KIDS,JUST WIFE. PLENTY OF ROOM.EASY TO GET IN AND OUT OF. ALL FEATURES I WANTED IN A MID- SIZE SUV.

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  Great Truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Q - March 12 - 9:20 pm

  I bought this truck with 15,000 miles on it and now have just over 155,000. This has been one o my best vehicle purchases. This truck has taken a lot of abuse and handled it well. I do a lot of hauling but have only had to do the front brakes once and have never done the rear. Intake gasket at 120,000 and o2 sensors at 150,000. No other repairs needed. Very well built. Great purchase.

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  Disappointment - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jose Pires Jr - March 12 - 12:54 pm

  I bought my 2014 Silverado and my radio never worked. Took back a few times they said that the radio stations dont have HD signal yet and all they did was turn the HD off. Never works more than 30 sec and then gets noisy again and reading for HD signal. On top of that I had 9 recalls so far since set 2013. My truck has 30k miles 2 years later and I couldnt start it in the morning to go to work, sounded like the battery died completely overnight. I charged the battery and the dashboard now says Service Theft Deterrent System. Truck started last night and I want to take it back to the dealership Team Superstores in Vallejo CA 94591, and the truck wont start again. Im very frustrated took a bus to work this morning and my truck its on my driveway. I highly do not recommend this truck to anybody.

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  Fun to drive! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Anthony - March 12 - 11:01 am

  The 3.4 litre engine is peppy and responsive, gets up to speed quickly and handles well in traffic, builds RPMs fast, good bottom and mid range. Very roomy, especially in the backseat and storage areas. Center console is not layed out all that well, radio controls are confusing, overall has a fairly cheap and plain look to interior. Seats are very firm, but supportive, the huge windshield gives good visibility. Exterior is very attractive looking and is on par with other more expensive small SUVs, the sunroof is a nice option for the modest price.

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  great first car - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By first car - March 12 - 8:02 am

  I got this Malibu after I had a 2000 Chevy silverado. It had a lift and big tires so it got about 17 mpg hwy. This car is such a difference, and gets such good gas mileage. From going state to state in that truck. Thats a lot of gas. But when I got this, it isnt the most comfortable, and I miss siting so high up in a truck. But I live in Chicago and I drove to Arizona in my truck because it was like driving a living room. But my wallet got really skinny. So I drove the car, I only had to stop to get gas 4 times. Thats awesome! The truck, I had to stop about 14-15 times. The only problem with the car, because I bought it used, was the steering arm. My son will have this car when hes 16.

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  Some flaws, but a great truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mike - March 12 - 6:30 am

  I bought it used and have 76k miles on it now. Theres a slight rattle in the drivers side door occasionally. Sometimes it has a rough shift from 1st to 2nd, but thats rare. My mechanic said to replace the valve body if it became frequent. Otherwise, its a great truck. More comfortable than any others Ive owned (bucket seats), more power than I really need (5.3L V8) and a great ride for a pick-up. I dont plan on having a car payment for a long time.

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  Love My Chevy! - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Cat - March 11 - 9:29 pm

  I love my car! I have never had any major issues with this car. I get my oil changed as recommended, new tires, breaks things like that. Its sporty, and I think its fun to drive. Its got a great stock stereo system.

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  Uninspiring - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By chevsucks - March 11 - 8:00 pm

  Ive had this car for almost a week now, and I wanted to take it back after a couple days. The interior has the cheapest materials Ive ever seen...cheap plastic everywhere. Cupholders are way too small in front, Side mirrors are off a Cobalt (cheap and small). Steering wheel is thin and made of a cheap rubbery plastic. Dome lights are in terrible places, No auto-up on the drivers side power window, no lumbar, average sound system but nothing to brag about, fake wood tries to make interior look classy, but with the other cheap plastic all around, it fails. Gutless V6 engine, terrible shifter materials, no tiptronic, no lumbar in seat, no volume on steering wheel, etc, etc, etc.

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  Great Family Car - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Pam Rose - March 11 - 7:36 pm

  This is the nicest family car we have ever owned. Once long trip since we bought it. Comfortable, quiet, and 19 to 20 miles per gallon using cruise control and driving in a sane manner. The fuel management system really helps with the gas. Runs on Regular. Easy to use controls. Memory seats. Dual zone heating and cooling. Both I and my husband are comfortable.