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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  Pretty good vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By toolmanmarv - December 4 - 11:17 pm

  Overall I am well satisfied with my Equinox having owned it for over a year. Have had no mechanical problems yet. Very comfortable and good on long road trips. Gas mileage good on highway-not so good around town. 17 inch Bridgestone tires will hydroplane in a heartbeat in heavy rain. Scary! Interior planning could be better. Rear seat doesnt fold flat and front cupholder interferes with hand brake. Rear cargo curtain is a joke. Dont waste your money buying it. Decent vehicle so far, but still not the quality of my 2000 Volvo. Detroit still cant get it right.

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  Excellent car for low payment - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By mutedexposure - December 4 - 11:16 am

  I bought this car knowing I could not afford the bigger price tag of the big SUVs plus I love the old school look GM is bringing back. It is very roomy inside even if it doesnt look like it would be. The chrome package makes everything stand out and I highly recommend getting it. I did upgrade to a 2.4 on the engine so I cant say if the smaller engine is good but the 2.4 is excellent. There are times it gets sluggish but only when I am trying to hotrod myself into a spot on a busy road. This car rides smooth. The only issue I have had with it is that occasionally the key gets stuck in the ignition and I have to shift the gear back and forth to get it to release. Cup holder is in bad spot also.

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  Problems Already! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Crystal - December 4 - 7:36 am

  I have had this vehicle 1 month and it has been in shop 5 times and still has rattle when I hit bumps. It is getting 14.3 mpg in town and I am told that is normal. It rides great if I dont hit any bumps. It is roomy and I like the way it is arranged inside. All in all, I need to get rid of bump and get better gas mileage or my next vehicle will be another Toyota!

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  FUN TO DRIVE - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By robert wrobleski - December 4 - 12:40 am

  A SOLID FUN TO DRIVE CAR

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  Love this car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Maxxoliver - December 4 - 12:03 am

  This is the second Maxx for us. The first one had about all the problems possible in one car. We got a buyback on that one and bought another. This is the most versatile car we have ever owned. The rear stereo DVD system is great. The kids and the grandkids can listen to and watch their own music or DVD. On a long trip that is a really good thing.The mileage is really good and it is very comfortable. So much fun to drive it is hard to share. The latch system for child safety seats is one of the greatest safety features along with all of the airbags. We love the look, the ride and overall everything about this car.

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  How to make some improvements - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Dick - December 3 - 8:11 pm

  Please think about the following changes. 1. Offer 4 wheel drive as an option. 2. Replace the 4 speed auto tran. with a 5 speed auto.(will give better gas mileage, ETC. ) 3.Use more or better sound deadening material. 4. Upgrade the fabric seats with leather side panels & use better fabric for the interior seat backs plus seats. 5. Use more care with body panels. Have everyone think about this car as if it was their own.

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  Lovin My C7 Vette Z51 3LT Stingray Convertible - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By PK - December 3 - 6:38 pm

  I ordered my first Corvette in 8/2016, took delivery of my 2016 C7 Z51 3LT Stingray convertible (white with tan top) in early 11/2016, and have put over 17K miles on it. I love driving this car, especially on "road trips." Maintenance is cheap, as everything is still under the initial (great) warranty, e.g., replacing the catalytic converter cost nothing. This cars ride, acceleration, braking, and feel are terrific. It hugs the road on curves and straight-aways like paint. I feel confident driving it. Its interior and tech are comparable to, if not better than, the Porsche-Boxter and Jaguar F-Type. The C7s perforated leather seats and dash are luxe. The instrumentation and head-up display are keen. The GPS could be better, with cheaper updates. Before buying my Vette, I shopped the three makes of sport-car convertibles Ive listed AND also the BMW Z4, which, in my opinion, isnt on the same level as the Jag, Porsche, or Vette. The price included title, tags, and taxes. Ive an 8-speed automatic and select-drive. In "Eco" drive, I get about 22-24 MPG (HWY). It is a thirsty bugger. I thought until the decision point I was getting the F-Type. I got the Stingray, AND I AM STILL ECSTATIC.

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  Last Tahoe For Me - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Not Impressed - December 3 - 12:19 pm

  This was my fourth Tahoe. Purchased the Z71 and liked the body style but wish I would have kept my 2002. Cheap interior finishes, lots of road noise due to cheaper door seals. Just run it thru a car wash and open the rear hatch to see how well the seals work. Also have replaced the shocks on the rear hatch and it still doesnt open all the way. Gas mileage isnt what GM cracked it up to be. Terrible resale value! Are you kidding me it isnt worth 1/2 of purchase price after less than two years. GM could have done much better with design and quality on this one. Im afraid this may be my last domestic vehicle.

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  Great RV hauler - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
  By C. Wylie - December 3 - 12:10 pm

  Chevy has done a great job of combining comfort and usable power into one vehicle. I use my 3500 to tow a 35 foot fiver through mountain areas with no problems. the Allison tranny is great for hauls done or up long grades.

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  Bad experience - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Scott - December 3 - 11:11 am

  I bought this truck new. It is a Z71 with almost all options including the rare sunroof on a regular cab. This truck has had constant issues. Most of them have been fit and finish. A lot of rattles and the interior is poor. I will live with the truck until getting positive equity and trade it for a Toyota or Ford.