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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  Severe Neck & Back Pain - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jan Burns - February 19 - 2:37 pm

  Ive had this car for less than 2 months and I have had horrible neck & back pain the bulk of the time. Husband complained about the passenger seat on a 3 hr trip being uncomfortable as well. The head rest pushes your head forward and after intense arguments with the dealer, we were able to get written instructions on how to remove it and turn it around (Dealer would not touch it !) Im now under the care of a chiropractor. Now I drive with a full size bed pillow just to make the 30 mile drive to work without pain. I love all its neat features, smooth & quiet ride, classy interior, but cant wait to park it and relieve my pain. Probably will sell or trade it soon.

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  2005 AWD 1500 Express Cargo - 2005 Chevrolet Express
  By MattCicanese - February 19 - 12:15 pm

  I bought this van used for my plumbing business. The AWD is incredible in the snow, better than any of the 4x4 trucks I have had. It rides great, decent on gas 14-15 MPG, and drives nice. I wish it came in an extended version.

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  A real SUV - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By silverado92 - February 19 - 10:19 am

  Great truck! Simply put, if you can find one thats been looked after, dont hesitate. Sure they have some common issues, but what doesnt? Overall it feels safe to drive, comfortable as all heck and the power and capablitities to pull most anything. I am looking to buy another to keep as a spare before they are all gone!

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  Dropped the Ball - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Famof6 - February 18 - 3:19 pm

  Good overall. Blind spots are a problem, even when you try to check them. Always double-checking them just to be sure. CD player could be better. I like the ability to be able to take seats out for cargo space, but couldnt do it on my own. Definitely a two-person job. Keep taking the van in for creaking noise in steering column. Repair is temporary.

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  Poor MPG. - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By D.Eitel - February 18 - 3:19 pm

  Gas mileage is terrible, I get eleven MPG in town. The high back seat makes it near impossible to look out the back window to back up. Power seems to be sufficient and electronic traction control is great. With this gas mileage I would not recommend buying one.

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  Dumped the Pickup for the SUV - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Shineola - February 18 - 8:18 am

  Quite a difference going from a Dodge Quad Cab to the SUV, but it was time. The Equinox has everything I was looking for, power, handling, room, looks, etc. After the 1st week (7 days)of ownership, I still had gas from the full tank I left with from the dealership! The 0 to 60 in what feels like 5 seconds really comes in handy when entering the highway in Houston, its like hitting the "nitro" button! The steering is quite tight and responsive.

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  Impressive for a Chevrolet - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tarmorn - February 18 - 8:10 am

  I just came back to Chevrolet after owning two Volks (a 1999 Passat and a 2006 Jetta, previous to the Passat I owned a Cavalier Z24) and its just an amazing car. The 4 cylinder is just enough power, the ride is smooth but firm, very close to a Volks. It is incredibly quiet in the car, the seats are very comfortable and look great with the suede and leather. Great job GM!

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  Much better review - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By FH - February 17 - 11:56 pm

  I have had a much better ownership than some of the other people in their reviews. The van has done great until 85000 miles and only then did the ac break and the manifold gasket leak. Not a major deal. I can fix both of these with little outlay of money. If care is taken with the car and maintenance performed, it will last a long time. I plan to put 140000 on the car before selling it for another. My gas mileage in town is 22.5 and 28 to 30 on the highway. I drive the speed limit. Give it a try.

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  Simply a great minivan - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By duraflex - February 17 - 4:46 pm

  Our 2000 Venture LS drove like a car but with so much more room inside. Fantastic visibility through big windshield and large side windows which are tinted just right. Just traded it for a 2008 Uplander LS - slightly more stylish but lacking many of the nice touches we enjoyed in the Venture. Great design on fold-down seats in 3rd row. Quick and simple to use.

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  2009 Equinox - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By SN - February 17 - 3:59 pm

  My wife and I recently traded a 2006 Grand Caravan for a 2009 Equinox 2LT. We wanted something a bit smaller and more modern and the Equinox really fits what we were looking for. The styling is great. The controls are far more advanced than GM used to put on their vehicles. The handling is tight. The seats are comfortable. We totally happy with this decision. We looked at many of its competitors, and liked the Equinox the best by far. Anyone thinking that GM still doesnt make vehicles that consumers want should take a look at the Equinox.