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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  Best purchase I ever made - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By tmccann11 - May 1 - 11:35 pm

  I did a lot of research before finally pulling the trigger and I couldnt be happier with my Equinox. Coming from an Accord that was baby for the past 5 years, it was a bit of a change but in a good way. While it takes some time to get used to the size difference, the Nox runs like a dream. The interior is roomy and stylish. It doesnt have the cheap feel like the Rogue that I test drove and has more curves than the CR-V. The pickup on the V4 takes some getting used to coming from a manual trans, but after 500 miles, I got it down. Rearview parking assist is a great feature as is the all wheel drive. Couple that with getting a 2LT for 2000 less than the TMV and Im in heaven.

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  Great car to drive - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Randy - May 1 - 1:40 pm

  I have owned 4 Corvettes C3,C4, two C5s and they have all been fun cars to own. They have always been way ahead in design and performance over the competition and provide the most bang for the buck against any country against any car!Take the new C6 that will be available in a few more months you would have to pay several hundred thousand dollars in Europe for a comparable car from Germany or Italy. Americans can buy this car for $65,000 to $75,000. Where else can you go and get this kind of styling, perfomance, handling, and 50 plus years of Corvettes, no where! Have you ever seen any old Porsches selling for $150,000 to $300,000? Check out online for classic Corvettes 1953 to 1973!

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  I love my S-10 - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By IndianaAbsentee - May 1 - 1:20 am

  I bought this truck last spring because I was in a pinch and had to act fast. It has turned out to be the best vehicle I have ever owned. I use it as a daily driver, and I pull a 17 fiberglass bass boat with it frequently. The truck gets the job done, and looks great. I put a water pump in it this winter, and had some minor problems with the ignition wiring, but nothing major has gone wrong even though there are 74,000 rough miles on this truck.

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  Great car for the Price - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Dan P. - May 1 - 12:20 am

  Ive had this car for over a year and its been a solid performer. Ive only had one issue (warped rotors) and they were replaced under warranty. I get great gas mileage, especially on the highway. The car is a blast to drive and really gets up and goes. Youll have a hard time finding a car with as much torque and power as this one has for the price (and for being a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder).

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  Best Chevy product I have ever owned. - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By jimmyc - April 30 - 12:46 pm

  I am 41 yrs. old. I am a machine tech. at delphi automotive in Warren, Ohio. I think I know a little something about machinery, and let me tell you, I love my Equinox. I have owned many cars in my time, all GM. I won`t drive nothing else. And by far the Chevy Equinox is the best I have ever owned. The Equinox is very solid, well put together machine.

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  love my first month! - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By steven menard - April 30 - 9:43 am

  Ive been driving my ltz for a month now and Im really enjoying driving this car. The car only has 60.000 km so no problems yet!. Ive always had gm cars and Im a gm lover! The car handles great, fuel economy Im impressed. This car has a 3.9 engine so if you have a heavy foot well its normal that the car will cost you !. But at normal driving condition you will be impressed!. The downside of this car is the sound system I own a g5 2007 the 2 cars has the same sound system, I expected more from the ltz! This car performs at its best when you want to pass a car. The acceleration is at its best after 35 km. For those people that do not like a gm product you should try this car !

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  Love the Truck - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Rick - April 30 - 6:04 am

  Ive had the truck for 8 months and have 11,000 miles. Ive had no major issues at all, no repairs needed. Only minor issue is that the USB port in the front occasionally doesnt read the drive, but thats about it. Gas mileage is 24 highway, 19 or so in he city. 4 wheel drive is works great.

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  Love It! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sam - April 29 - 4:40 pm

  I just got this car about 3 weeks ago, and I absolutly love it. Its very quiet, has all the features I need and then some, and its just a very fun car to drive. I do have a few small complaints about it though, such as the blind spots, the low beams, and you cant burn a tire! (although I dont think thats necessarily a bad thing) The car itself is beautiful and I am absolutly in love with the interior, especially the "ambient blue lighting" The gas mileage does leave me wanting more, but I am biased, my last car was a 99 Sunfire which got great mileage, but wasnt nearly as much car as this one is, so I guess its an even trade. People have even come up to me and compliemented me on it!

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  Better than a Caddy for less - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By justy - April 29 - 7:05 am

  The most complete vehicle I have owned in years. Will trade for a new one if this one ever dies. Engine does well above expectations. Interior is like sitting in my own private entertainment center.

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  Love it! - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By texanspice - April 28 - 7:56 pm

  I love the new Trailblazers! Handles like a dream on corners. Room for the whole family. Beautiful color choices. I chose superior blue metallic. Great accents.