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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  2012 Volt Experience - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By newvoltowner - October 11 - 11:36 pm

  Ive had my Volt for a week and a half and I am very happy with it. I want to share as much as I can for those on the fence about it, I sure spent a lot of time thinking about it and weighing the options before I made this move. I was also considering the leaf, but I went with the volt because of the extended range with the gas engine. I was I was sure happy that I did when I was driving to my parents house this weekend (47 miles away) and the gas engine kicked in. It takes about 8 hours to charge on 120v. So I can drive during the day, come home and charge. I do plan to get a 240volt charger but I would say it is not a requirement. Check www.spx.com/volt for free chargers.

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  Built for safety! - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By keripatterson - October 10 - 7:36 pm

  We were involved in an accident. The other car was totaled and very little damage to my right front bumper area. My vehicle drives like a dream, performs fantastically, and is built like a tank for safety. The front end folded like it should have for optimal protection and safety. I love this car and it is so worth the money we paid for it.

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  I love this car - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By mholt9 - October 7 - 9:50 pm

  I test drove the Volt because I wanted to contribute to a reduction in our reliance on oil for 97% of our critical transportation needs. I bought the Volt because I loved everything about the car. The Volts battery life allows me to complete my 42 mile round-trip commute without using a drop of gasoline. But, I can also take long trips without any "range anxiety." I have driven 6,500 miles, including some interstate trips on which I used a total of 42 gallons of gas. Otherwise, its all electric. Either way, the car is a joy to drive because it is so smooth and fluid -- refined may be a better description.

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  Love My Burb - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By ginsnap - October 6 - 10:03 pm

  I purchased my 99 burb in 2002 with 36000 miles. it now has over 180000 miles. It has been reliable vehicle overall. I always kept up the maintenance, but as it got older more has to be repaired. which is typical of any vehicle I believe. Ive had it everywhere on vacations to hunting trips, Ive pulled campers and various trailers with no problem at all. I did have to replace the fuel pump four times. But I put some of that on my "mechanic". Now it leaks oil, not profusely, but it does, and I need to repair the cooling system. Not too bad for 180000 miles though. I loved it, took care of it, said Id keep it until it dies. Sadly, she just about has.

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  Pleased - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kaw2007 - October 5 - 5:13 pm

  Very pleased except all the rattling in the dash!! Also, 2 weeks of owning my car and the driver side and passenger side speakers were rattling and blown! (No, i didnt cause this with bass, etc.) Also, i noticed at times stalling when i was driving which was due to the recall my car was under after 2 months of owning it. Got the solenoid valves replaced and so far so good. People rememeber- its a 4 CYLINDER! Its not gonna "get up" and give u "horse power". If you need "power" dont go with the equinox cuz yes u will be dissapointed, especially with the 4 cyl which if driven correctly can give you close to 30 mpg.

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  Been a great vehicle for over 6 years now - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By dakar1 - October 5 - 9:25 am

  I really love my Avalanche. I bought it new and has been a great vehicle. Ive had zero engine issues. things Ive done are had to replace speedometer that sprung one day when it was about 10 below 0 outside. Had to have a airbag sensor replaced and replaced one of the oxygen sensors - which I found out is recommended after about 5 years anyway. Also a transmission solenoid was replaced, that was only $120 w/labor. I run the E85 a lot in the summer and I tow a heavy camper with it. Its not the best towing vehicle for something heavy but it gets by. I run Amsoil and engine still runs like new with 65k.

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  Best car I have ever owned - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By pteixeira - September 29 - 8:09 am

  I bought this car new, ordered it in fact, down to every feature. It was my very first new car. Fast forward 12 years and my baby has 120,000 miles on her and has never let me down. Ever. I replaced the tires a few times, the compressor on the air conditioner and a few minor things, but this car has never left me stranded at the roadside. I still get 35-40mpg. I will drive this car till the wheels fall off. I expect to put on another 100,000 easily.

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  2010 Camaro Review - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By carlover81 - September 29 - 4:56 am

  I purchased my Camaro a little over a year ago and it is driven daily. I am very impressed with its features. The 6.2L V8 is amazingly powerful and very responsive. The six speed transmission is very crisp and smooth. The gas mileage was actually a big surprise for a V8 I get 20+ city and right around 30 on the highway. I feel the interior has a cockpit feel that encompasses the driver but is also very ergonomic and comfy. The only issue I found was blind spots make it difficult to back up this large vehicle. Exterior styling was a great combination of modern almost futuristic styling and the classic Chevy muscle look. I really enjoy driving this car to work or cruising around town.

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  Voltastic - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By hodad66 - September 25 - 6:45 pm

  Drove home a new, 2012 Volt the other day. Great car! I had been waiting for another EV but test drove the Volt when it became available in Florida. The interior is stylish and gives the feeling of being in a sports car. GM is currently offering an incentive lease that I just couldnt ignore.

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  Camaro Convertible BIG FUN! - 2012 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jefflaur - September 23 - 9:00 pm

  Purchased this Camaro from Duvall Motors in Clayton, Goergia. We have bought many vehicles from them, and I would wholeheartedly recommend them. We traded in our bright YELLOW LT coupe 2010 Camaro. We just loved that car, but when we saw this convertible on the showroom floor..my wife and I were sold! Luckily this vehicle had been custom ordered and, indeed has the 6cyl automatic transmission. Smooth and comfortable for long trips, and the two tone interior makes this car just a little more fun to drive! One bonus in the convertible model is that you can raise the seats enough to have a slightly better road view, and the higher profile of the convertible top gives extra headroom.