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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  GREAT CAR - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By oleg5 - August 4 - 9:42 pm

  Had many cars before that! my wife drives 2008 Rav4 and i had 2000 Honda CRV before that. did not had any isues with the car. got it for 6000$ with 90000km. now i have 140000$ and had replaced only back bearing. very good car! geting 22 in a city and about 24-25 on high way! my wifes Rav4(V6) getting 20 in city best!

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  So far, So good! - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By trailstrider - August 2 - 11:27 am

  I purchased this vehicle a couple of weeks ago. Prior to buying this car, I owned a 10 year old truck that got 15 mpg on the highway. My first week of driving was mainly around town showing people my new car. Gas mileage was just ok at around 21 mpg. I was hoping for better. I finally got to do a road trip (Around 150 miles) and I got 27.7 mpg on the highway. On the return home trip I got 28.5 mpg. I really notice a difference in gas mileage when driving 65 vs 75. If you drive this car between 65 and 70 on the highway you will get better than 25 mpg. If you are constantly on the gas, you will get closer to 20.

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  honest review - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By hale1 - August 2 - 11:07 am

  I bought my Equinox 4 weeks ago and I love it. I saw a lot of negative reviews out there so I was a little worried, but once you drive the thing you are sold! MPG was the biggest complaint I read, but people have to realize you have to drive like a granny and it will get the EPA MPG. If I pay attention to my gas pedal I average about 24 around town and I drove it on the interstate/backroads to the lake house and got 31mpg. It should get better once broke in about 5000 miles. Interior is amazing and I love the way it drives. Some complain about the controls on the radio being hard to reach, but why reach when its on your steering wheel? Great Chevy at a great price. LS w/ blue tooth 22000.

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  10,026 miles later - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By wheresmyvolt - July 30 - 6:08 am

  After 7 months and 10,026 miles I have to say that the Volt bests even our beloved Prius. Over its life to date, I have used only 69.3 gallons of gasoline, or 144.6 mpg. I am getting between 42 and 48 miles of battery driving each day of my 72-mile commute. To fully charge the battery for those 42-47 miles it costs 82 cents. I am getting between 35 and 41 mpg when the internal combustion engine is recharging the battery.

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  Cruzin in Philly - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cruzinphilly - July 29 - 3:20 pm

  Chevy got this right! I have a 40 mile round trip commute to work, so I absolutely needed a car that was fuel efficient. I came to peace with the fact that this meant I would more than likely have to drive a small sedan that would cause points to be deducted from my “man card”, but that was not the case with the Cruze. It is quick off the line when you need it and has a good quality interior. I don’t feel cramped when I drive it (I am 6’1 215lbs) plus the seats are comfortable. The car is very well equipped for its price and give you allot features for the buck, like remote start, XM, Bluetooth, and rear park assist for 20k (I paid 20,500 for a 1LT).

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  Great Vehicle - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By flyguy15 - July 28 - 4:31 pm

  100% pleased. I bought this car for myself, but my wife loves it so much that I am ordering another one for her. Forget any negative press you may have heard - you have to drive it to appreciate it. I have owned sports cars, SUVs, sport sedans (BMW M5) and this car is the best all around car. The technology is amazing. I can charge at home and at the office and have only used about 1.67 gallons of gas in a month. It costs more to wash the car than put gas in! Go to a dealer and drive one. Im 62" and have plenty of room.

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  Best car you can buy for the $$ - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By ms9 - July 27 - 12:31 am

  I have had my 2011 Camaro LS for 3 months now and it truly is an amazing car! General Motors has stepped up there game when it comes to quality and value so far I have not had one problem with this car mechanically. The 312hp 3.6L V6 runs very smooth and when you open up the throttle this baby moves fast! The 6 speed auto seems to be a good match for this car it has 2 modes drive and sport and when you really want to push it id recommend sport mode you can feel the differences. The exterior design speaks for it self awesome! I see people complaining about the interior and visibility you got to remember this was a concept car and im glad they didnt mess with the overall design too much!

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  Very good car! - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By red_rider - July 26 - 4:24 pm

  I bought an LT2 V6 Equinox. Ive had this car for a few months now and am still enjoying it. Just the right amount of hp and torque to go through the yellow lights and entering the highway. Averaging about 19.6 mpg each tank, which beats my old car at 15mpg.

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  Lives up to its name,Thug,Beast of beauty - 1994 Chevrolet Blazer
  By lynn86 - July 26 - 9:46 am

  I love my truck! Bought it in winter of 2010. Some repairs done, I have minor rust around tips of body. Handles like the dickins. 191209 Kms as of now.I have a question though, anybody know why the speedometer occasionally jumps back and forth, other wise this truck is built likeck. a rock. Im starting on the rust today, Ill say it again *I love my truck! I dont like driving in cars, I feel too close to the ground.

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  chevy impala 2011 - 2011 Chevrolet Impala
  By wgarcia - July 25 - 4:10 pm

  got one back on june 17, 2011 put 2,350 miles on it great so far. this car is great on long trips and short ones i got the lt