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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  From Explorer to HHR - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Landis - October 11 - 12:07 am

  I wanted to trade in my Explorer Limited to save on gas and to do that was tough because I loved that truck. I tested the Equinox (didnt like gas mileage)for the heck of it look at the HHR and I have never looked back. This car has lots of room to carry stuff and the gas mileage is the best Ive ever had in the 30 years Ive been driving cars. The only thing I disliked on this car is the window controls but thats been changed for the 09 model I think.

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  Best Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jay - October 10 - 2:23 pm

  This is the best vehicle ive ever owned. Its got a great ride and quiet interior, but still can tow and haul. The ext. and int. fit and finish is perfect. I have had "0" problems. One last thing, the styling is great. Everywhere I go friends and family want to check it out.

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  Love my Blazer - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MattK - October 10 - 1:21 pm

  I have had mine for 2 years and not 1 time in the shop. Super comfortable and fast and fits 5 very comfortably. No complaints other than gas mileage which can be expected for this engine/size car. I get about 19/20 mpg in a suburban area with a decent amount of light. I would buy again!

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  Sporty and fun, but beware... - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Renea - October 10 - 11:31 am

  I have a base model. I was very pleased with my "new" car for the first 3 weeks. My first trip my car "clunked out" and was out of service for almost 3 months. The parts were hard to find and it turns out that the Cerpintine belt went out and everything else followed. Come to find out, when you get a new belt on these cars they need to be checked and tightened every 5000 miles. I wish I would have known that before hand. Keep tight wraps on the maintenance and this car serves well. Also, since the work on my car, I can not get the radio to work, and buying a used car, it didnt have the "access code" for the radio. When I call around to get it, they say itll cost about $100.

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  Chevy has a Winner - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jim - October 10 - 9:36 am

  We looked at a Ford Escape as well as a few Asian brands, but this small SUV really showed up well in quality, appearance, and fuel efficiency. I feel that the 2010 model is a vast improvement over the 2009 model. I especially liked the handling, or "fun- to-drive" feeling that this SUV provides. And we had 4 adults and 2 end tables in the vehicle after a little vacation shopping and everything fit comfortably - lots of interior space. The 4 cyl engine isnt super strong, but does fine under most uses, and we are getting over 30 mpg anytime we are going over 45 miles an hour. Dont write this off just because it is a Chevy!

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  I Love My Car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jana - October 10 - 8:53 am

  These cars are only a 4cyl.but they can get up and go. I bought my Cobalt and within a week I found myself putting extra mileage on it. I enjoy driving this car, and my childern love it too. They kind of look sporty, but they also have enough room for a family of five. The trunks are huge too.

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  Better as time passes - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ccrvtt - October 10 - 8:29 am

  My first Corvette was a 1995 Coupe which I had for 7+ years. I bought it because I thought the targa top would be a good combination coupe/convertible. The cowl shake with the targa out was unacceptable. So I went for a convertible when I bought the 2007. It is remarkable how Corvettes just get better with every succeeding iteration. This convertible is quieter, stiffer, and smoother by far. When we picked up the 07 my wife remarked that she actually forgot she was riding in a Corvette. I bought the car with just over 34,000 miles on it. Ive had no problems so far. Im impressed with the ride, the acceleration, the brakes, the styling, etc. I still miss my 95, but the 07 is a quantum leap ahead. Corvettes are still a screaming bargain on the used car market.

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  Problems with the starter - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Not Happy - October 10 - 7:39 am

  I love my car but not happy with many things. First the gas mileage is horrible, I get about 13 around town and 17 highway, not good. The worst of it all I have brought it to the dealership 6 times now since April 2008 for the same issue. The car will not start, it takes about 6 times for it to finally turn over. Once it does it spits and sputters, black smoke comes out of the exhaust than my RPMs go up to 8 drop to 4 than the car idles, like it wants to die. So now its back at the dealership and they cannot replicate the issue. Finally I called GM to report this. Its just nuts they keep telling me its up to standards but Hello, I got stranded at a gas station for 40 minutes. Not happy

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  The Hat Trick Van - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By gus loves it - October 9 - 10:16 pm

  Love these vans, my third one. The 88 went 360,000, 94 AWD still strong at 455,000. I have been told mileage would drop of on these Vortecs, but I just pulled 21mpg on recent trip (8 hrs). Lots of power (190hp?), great reliablity, rides great. I dont know of a better buy for your money. Rides like a car ,hauls like a truck. Wife is confident with AWD. The EXT AWD hugs the road in windy conditions, much better that the 2WD.

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  CD player has problems - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By DKB - October 9 - 9:20 pm

  This is my first SUV. My Equinox is fun to drive, but it reminds me of driving an old tractor - I need one of those handles on the steering wheel to get it to turn around. Drives like a truck, but still small enough to park like a car. Not bad overall. I can live with the steering issue, but the CD has serious problems. I have had it replaced twice in less than 2 months. The dealership warranty is still good on it, but that isnt very comforting.