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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  My Equinox is a lemon - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By powerless equinox - November 6 - 8:04 pm

  I purchased my car in March of 2006. In Aug of 06, the rear differential had to be replaced with only 6300 miles on the odometer. In Nov of 07, May of 08 and Nov of 08, this car completely lost power while I was driving it. It only has 24,000 miles on it and the dealer has been unable to fix the problem although each time it had been serviced for this same problem, they seem to think that they have corrected it. This car is a potential deathtrap! It is only by sheer luck that I have not been driving 60 MPH on the highway when it loses power.

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  Does this car fall under the lemon laws? - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Linda - November 6 - 5:33 pm

  Over the last few years I have always driven Chrysler products and loved them, but when I test drove the Monte Carlo I fell in love with it. Little did I know that every few weeks I would be returning my car to the dealership for some type of repair. The repairs have ranged from the tire monitor sensors to the heated seats and the brakes and also dont let me forget the heating system. I buy brand new cars so I dont have this problem. If this car holds up for the next 2 years I will be getting rid of it and going back to Chrysler products and if someone would offer to buy it right now I would sell it and take my loss if you would even call it a loss. I wouldnt recommend buying this car.

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  Wish I would have bought one sooner - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Bobo - November 6 - 4:34 pm

  Love the truck. Got new in 9/05 Not had a problem with mine. Rides great. No noise, no problems, plenty of power. 14-16 MPG in city 20- 24 Hwy. Its a heavy truck and I am happy with the MPG and the ride. Great truck. Want better MPG get a car but you wont have a truck. Want worse MPG buy a Ford.

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  My review - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Chris - November 6 - 2:43 pm

  I bought this SUV in July of 05. Its a GREAT SUV! Runs great, looks great. Gas mileage isnt the best - I live in the Minneapolis area and do a lot of city driving. On average, Ive been getting around 17, 18 MPG. On the highway, best Ive gotten is 22-23.

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  Love My Car - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Grian - November 6 - 11:58 am

  I have owned my 97 Lumina for 3 years. It is the most reliable car ever and I have put 30,000 miles on it and all that it has required has been an alternator replaced and EGR ports cleaned and a MIL bulb changed. I would not hesitate to buy another one. These repairs where not costly and easy to repair (and Im a woman).

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  Has been a really great car. - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By R.G. - November 6 - 11:27 am

  Had this car since new and has been very reliable. Gas mileage great for its size.

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  2008 Malibu - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By pierre carton - November 6 - 10:30 am

  Interior is novel, only seen in very high cost vehicles. Can hold 4, 230lbs adults comfortably with leg room in rear seating. Exterior is extremly sharp, excellent paint and tight seems. Windows developed to reduce cabin noise. Exterior lights very attractive and new. Doors shut with good sound meaning well built. Blinkers built into front fenders for warning other vehicle on road of lane changes and turns. Air bags in sides of car a plus for my 16 year old driver. Plus extra steel cage built into cage of vehicle. Probably built safer than any car at or near its price range. 17inch wheels make this car look sharp.

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  Very pleased with my Aveo - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Tom - November 6 - 5:02 am

  I have been very pleased with my Aveo, on average I get about 29-30 miles per gallon in town and when Im on the open road Ive averaged as high as 36- 37 miles per gallon. recently a dealer offered me well over the bluebook value for my aveo because they were looking to boost their inventory of smaller cars, but why should I get something new when I get the mileage that I do. Really have not had to put a great deal of money into it, just the basic and recommended things. Overall I can only say good things about my Aveo and that I wont be getting anything new soon, because the newer cars dont even get the miles per gallon my car does now.

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  Trailblazer review - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By trailblazer ext - November 5 - 5:43 pm

  I love everything about the car, except I was misled by the dealer about the gas mileage. I do not understand why I get the same gas mileage on this car as I did on the Suburban which I traded in . (about 15.5 and that is almost 100% highway driving) This car is so much lighter. If GM could get the gas mileage right, maybe 25+ mpg, they wouldnt have to practically be giving the cars away.

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  Love - Hate Relationship - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Tigger - November 5 - 1:41 am

  Love my HHR and I wont give it up, but I hate that it has been in the shop so much. It is a blast to drive - especially since mine has the 2.2 with a 5-speed transmission. Great fuel mileage - average 27 mpg daily driving and 33 mpg on highway. Items replaced thus far, upper and lower steering shafts, front brake rotors and brake pads, radio (three times), front sway bar bushings, and body control module (related to radio issues). Running boards and Splash guards are a must if you experience winter driving conditions (protects paint on rear doors). Changed tires to Goodyear TripleTreads (Original Firestone Affinity tires were junk) and I now have better control, handling, and traction.