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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  Engine failure at 56,000 miles - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Pa mad - January 14 - 7:32 pm

  So many problems cheap interior, power .steering, stability trac, air conditioning failure when 2 yrs old.. Piece of crap.. Totally avoid.. I still own a 2000 power stoke f350. At 15 yrs old 170,000 miles still driven very often AC IS COLD still never refilled.. Only fix alternator and can positioning sensor... Total $ 250 cost.. In 15 yrs.. Going back to ford trucks.. Dependability and trade in value is important.. Shame on me for betraying Ford..

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  Timed out in LG - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By D.Bisner - January 14 - 4:35 pm

  I have had numerous electronic issues with my sport, and at 50,000 miles I got an engine ticking. In Dec 2014 the timing chains and tensioners were replaced. within a week the catalytic converter had to be replaced. A couple months later the shifter assy. I now need an ECM, and the timing chains have stretched again. I am told it is unsafe to drive, with no permanent fix, so GM will not do again. I got under 10,000 miles on the repair to which I paid the GM "Loyalty" deductible to have done. We have purchased 6 GM vehicles, 5 from the same dealership, and the only thing we are being offered is "great rebates" on a brand new GM product, and $3000 for our trouble. I have gotten a couple other opinions who are second guessing the quality of the repair, and need to pull the engine and transmission to change the timing chains and tensioners. Nothing about the new SUVs is anywhere new the comfort, driving feel of my sport, and it should have lasted for more than 115,000 miles, especially with all the maintainence and repair I have done on it. The least they could do is refund my money for their poor engineering.

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  Dont Believe The Mileage Claims - 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
  By J wilson - January 14 - 2:21 pm

  I purchased the Equinox because of the claimed EPA Hwy mileage of 32 mpg. As a driver, I have always achieved and even bettered the hwy mileage estimates of other vehicles I have owned. With the Equinox, instead of 32 mpg on long road trips, I am regularly getting 26 mpg. It doesnt make any difference if I use Cruise or not. That is almost a 20% discrepancy from the claim. Additionally, my transmission has begun to slip when taking off from a stop. Had it to the dealer but it is intermittent and they were unable to determine the cause. Buyer Beware!

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  My first Chevy... Great car. - 2014 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ado.V - January 14 - 8:26 am

  I am in love with this Malibu. It is a great car... interior is much better than Toyota, Honda, Ford or Mazda. Great gas mileage. Comfy smooth ride.

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  very disappointed - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By michael r. lewis jr./ Nicole M. Lazaro - January 13 - 9:08 pm

  The truck at first glance and test drive is amazing from the drive to storage to comfortability i bought my 2008 avalanche 3 years ago and up til now i absolutely loved this truck. I have owned 5 chevy/GM vehicles throughout and adter this i will never own another one pending on how GM itself takes care of the issues at hand. Burns oil over consumption bad without telling costumers to be aware of. Now at 90,000 miles my truck is running and sounding like crap, lifter problems traction control stablitrack, engine misfires in cylindersand after i have extensively researched this is a common problem most of the morors were poorly made crappy parts in mexico, ultimately you need a new motor otherwise replacing lifters, pistons, cam shafts, rings, spark plugs, list goes on and on before you can fix the problem we as preferred costumers should not have too fork out thousands of dollars on engine problems on a $35,000 vehicle after only a year or two of owning it especially if like my self ur one who stays up on maintaince religiously i have replaced TPS, oil pressure sensor, new brakes and rotors, tune up new plugs and wires new throttle pedal position sensor all to try and fix this lifter noise and traction control and stabilitrack and engine lights, and noise and vehicle running and sounding like crap all to find out this is a common issue and fault on GM with this particular motor issues i think its time to switch to ford based on how GM addresses this issue with me especially since my truck is just out of warranty now go figure

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  Present Imperfect - 2015 Chevrolet Corvette
  By EasternShoreMan - January 13 - 4:31 pm

  The 2015 Corvette StingRay is a helluva buy, but it has too many flaws and compromises to be a "great" all around sports/touring car. First, the good parts: The styling is, from most angles, gorgeous. Many "Corvette guys" do not like the rear end because it lacks the traditional round taillights. This is merely a matter of taste. Overall, the exterior design is a a winner even if it does create a bunch of nooks and crannies to clean. The engine also does not disappoint. The StingRay has gobs of muscle and a wonderful Made in USA V-8 sound. The car is built low to the ground. It can be difficult for older folks to exit and the long nose makes for visibility challenges in parking lots with concrete barriers. The rear hatch has a troublesome latch assembly which needs to be slammed shut rather than merely closed and the automatic hatch opening switch on the dash is positioned too close to the drivers door I have opened the hatch with my knee a dozen times slipping into the drivers seat. And, of course, the car is PLASTIC, which takes some getting used to if this is ones first Vette as it is mine. Those who live in a four season climate need to consider whether they want the "summer only" 20 inch rear tires. I have no idea whether the Goodyears are really unmanageable below 40 degrees as the warnings state. My choice was the Michelin year round set up. Whatever, this is not a snow car, at least not with me behind the wheel. Where the StingRay disappoints most is inside. Here the layout is good and straightforward but the materials used are just so-so, closer to WalMart than Brooks Brothers. No matter what color interior you choose, it will be mostly black. It is unlikely your salesman will tell you that on a sunny summer day the amount of glass in this car makes the cockpit uncomfortably hot (even with the A.C. cranked up full bore) unless you are willing to take out the roof panel or buy an after-market insert. The seat belt guides are poorly positioned and I have given up on trying to keep mine in the intended track. Similarly, the seat release is placed quite low and would be more user-friendly if it were higher on the seat back. The basic seats themselves are comfortable, even for a full days drive but why GM skimped on standard heating - something that comes on Japanese cars costing half as much - is a mystery. The Navigation system is a real P.O.S. It is very slow in taking input and recently in driving through a strange city at night, the spoken directions lagged reality by a block or more. Overall it is a disgrace to General Motors. Nor am not a fan of the other techno stuff, but maybe that is just age talking. I refuse to accept the facile explanation, "well, what do you expect, its a Chevy." I believe Detroit can design and the UAW can build an automobile just as well as Klaus and Helmut in Stuttgart. The idea that "they are trying to sell it to kids," is also a non-starter how many kids can buy a $60,000+ two seat car? Dont misunderstand, this is super car FOR THE MONEY, but it could be so much better! Looking forward to the C8.

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  Its an truck with a vette guts - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Drew - January 13 - 12:52 pm

  A truck with vette guts. Awesome performance you must get the awd 3ss to really see why this truck is a eye catcher!! Really wish it came with dual exhaust system and a wheel bolt pattern that you can get rims for its so hard to get a set to match up. I love this sport truck and Im the second owner no major issues except the air suspension.To all tbss owners you may need to convert air suspension to a shock and spring deal way easier ! Vette truck ss.

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  In the shop every month - 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Tommy - January 13 - 9:57 am

  Bought this car with 48k miles and now has 78k. Since Ive had it Ive replaced a wheel bearing, the heat is climate control and when you turn it on 60 it feels like its on the highest setting and the only way to turn it down it to turn the ac on. Not fun when its 15-20 degrees outside in the winter and 85-90 in the summer. The radio will freeze from time to time. Wont let me turn it down, change the station, or even turn it off! Im constantly on the road mostly highway miles and only get 28-29 mpg. Being that its supposed to be a type of hybrid Im not very impressed. This is my first and last time owning a Chevy sedan.

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  10,000 miles in 6 months - 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
  By jim - January 12 - 7:16 pm

  Leased a 4 cylinder as was not sure I would like it and the lease cost was excellent for 12,000 miles per year. Overall the vehicle is smooth, stops as predicted, and very quiet. I did not think I would like the center console with all the buttons but found just the opposite, as all the buttons are easy to understand and reach. Using a touch screen in a car can be difficult and dangerous as it takes your eyes off the road to long. Hence I use the buttons and really like the back button to return to the previous screen, just like a computer. The seats are comfortable on long trips and the vehicle rides nice. It is a SUV so the handling is just normal. Engine does not have a lot of pick up but the trade off is very good gas mileage. The chevy My Link is excellent and even read my text messages. Trunk area is not large but put down the seats and it has plenty of room to move furniture..... I would like to see a turbo in this vehicle as it would improve performance. Not sure Chevy will do this as it is their base brand. If they did I would consider buying one, not lease. I did drive a 6 cylinder GMC version and it was horrible. The one thing I dont like is the exterior styling. It is pleasant but very boxy. I will probably lease this again if the lease is a great price. Not sure the long term trade in or sale value is good enough to buy it.

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  5 yrs of love - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Jo Gayle - January 12 - 1:44 pm

  I love my truck I have driven it for 5 yrs pulling a grooming trailer as my business. Worth every penny. Beautiful and strong just like me.