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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  Blown head gasket - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By loulou8 - November 14 - 5:29 pm

  The car good the 1st year I bought it and then I started having problems with it running hot. So I took it to the car dealership to have it checked out and they checked it and they told me it was the cooling fans wasnt working which they was. Then the replaced the fans $872.29 and put in a new thermostat included. Then they called me back and told me it was still running hot that the head gasket was blown. Is there a recall on this type of car.

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  A Perfect Car - 2012 Chevrolet Impala
  By smoothoperater - November 13 - 10:23 pm

  My 2012 Impala is one of the best driving cars I have ever been in. It has plenty of power, rides very smooth and Handles great. The Onstar system gives more accurate directions than Cars with onscreen navigation systems. I drove a lot of vehicles including some imports before buying. The Impala rides and drives as good or better than them. No it doesnt have a fancy display screen but the Onstar system works better. It also is easier to get in and out of than smaller cars.

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  Reliable - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By watchman3 - November 9 - 5:09 pm

  I have owned my truck since new and have put over 100K miles on her, now and have never experienced a single issue. I do regular maintenance and she is the most dependable vehicle Ive ever owned.

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  Amazing car - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By ghendrick456 - November 9 - 9:58 am

  This car has continued to amaze me since the day I drove it off the lot. The build quality and solid ride is more like a Lexus or a BMW than a Chevrolet. The drivetrain is a remarkable achievement. In electric mode the car is practically silent. I have been driving the car for over 2,000 miles now and my average MPG is about 144. While some people might gawk at the sticker price... They would be wrong. The high residual value, $7,500 tax break combined with the extremely low lease interest rates result in monthly payments that are lower than my previous Toyota Camry. This car finances at very affordable prices considering the high quality & features. You will also save $7500 on fuel

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  Perfect family and work SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By maysan - November 6 - 9:48 pm

  Just purchased my 2003 Tahoe 4x4 Police Package 4.8 V8, only 60K. 285/77/R16s. Border Patrol ordered it with a 4inch suspension lift. Perfect clearence. The 4.8 engine is great. I added small upgrades: K&N intake system, Computer chip to regulate air-flow and temp and finally a DiabloSport Computer programer. All about $500. The engine is a beast now. It also has the cooling system for both the engine and tranny fluids. I recommend the updgrades to all Tahoe lovers. All upgrades from Ebay. [non-permissible content removed]. Upgrades gave it lots of power, and great gas mileage. 26HWY & 20 city. Perfect all around.

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  Back to Chevy - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By dabatan - November 6 - 2:27 pm

  I drove gm must of my life and still own 3 @ this time. Just added #4 after have a mazda 3 for the past 3 years. I bought the Mazda because had no car in the line up that I liked. They were boring. Till now! The Cruze is a really nice size car and alot bigger than you think. Just park it nexto other cars in it class or even bigger and it looks great. I only have my 2012 for less than a month but like it....love it more everyday. The gas mileage has been great, I go about 2 weeks on a tank. I used to go 9-10 days with the mazda. Thought I was gonna miss my mazda....I dont! and I am very happy to go back to GM and drive my new cruze............I am going cruzing.....see ya

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  best four door on the market - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By eriebuckeye - November 5 - 8:12 am

  i have 24k miles on it and it drives like a dream. i get 38 mpg hwy and about 28 city. big trunk space. i also own a cadillac cts and this rides even better than it.

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  Happy Sofar with the 2012 Equinox - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By valed4313 - November 4 - 2:50 pm

  Overall Im quite satisfied with my purchase. Nice to have leather seats when its 13 degrees in the mornings. And we really love the remote start. I went all out with features on this vehicle and Im not at all sorry that I did.

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  Amazing Machine - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By dpvolt - November 3 - 3:09 pm

  I have driven the car for four weeks and put on 700 miles. Fantastic machine very impressive technology. Nice finish on outside and inside. I have a 26 mile commute to and from my work. The only gasoline used the entire time was "maintenance mode" where the engine runs for two minutes every month (0.1 gal), even if you are all electric. I am metering the electricity used for charging the car which is averaging 7.5 kWh/day-- saving me about $3 a day. Driving without stops for fuel and not sending bucks to Exxon or the Middle East is a good feeling too. Many criticize the car based on price, but I see this car as showing that there is still impressive technological moxie in the U.S.

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  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By rumblev - November 2 - 8:45 pm

  I was dying for an Equinox and nearly bought a 2010 and boy I am glad I didnt! There is a huge comfort difference! I was worried about backseat space for my 9 and 5 year old but there is more room than I imagined and the trunk space is more than I need as well. The driver and passenger is beyond comfortable and I love the touchscreen radio and the controls on the wheel. My husband couldnt understand why I wanted one but now he loves it too! Gas for me so far was what I did in a 2005 toyota corolla ce. To me its a great vehicle inside and out! I dont think I have ever ridden in a more comfy vehicle. I will try to post when I have put more miles on it (so far 400)