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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  Put almost 4000 miles on and its rocking and rolling!! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By carrocks - July 22 - 1:02 am

  Just got this car 2 weeks ago and put almost 4000 miles on it. Always hated small cars do to rough driving feel and there usually very noisy. Was scared to go with the cruze for that reason but totally blew me away when i test drove it how quite and smooth it drove! The handling by far is the best in any compact car and beats most midsize cars iv driven. Interior is nice and roomy and trunk is extremely spacious. bought it love and love it feel like i made the best decision of my life. One complaint though wish it was a little faster does seem slow at times when pushing from start but better then other compacts i have driven in the past.

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  Great car but for the Noxious Fumes that enter when stopping - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By sailor1 - July 21 - 10:23 pm

  Love the vehicle. Very Comfortable. Mileage well its so so. 15 city and 19 Hwy (OK 20 going downhill on a long mountain highway). Nice amenities. Like it a heck of a lot better than my Honda Pilot that it replaced. Now for the negative. For some strange reason that the dealer cant figure out, when the AC is on Fresh Air coming in, and you come to a stop, you get noxious Sulfer like, or propane like smells coming into the passenger compartment. Doesnt happen when AC is on Recirculate. Ive seen similar complaints on the Chevrolet Traverse Forum.

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  The Best value for my money - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By pmmssgt - July 21 - 8:31 pm

  I bought my Equinox 2010 LTZ in August 2010, brand new. I went from driving two tahoes, to the equinox for the gas mileage mostly. It took me awhile to get used to driving a 2.4 L 4 cyl, but I cannot get over the cost savings in gas. I was spending $200 per/mo and now spend $40- $60 per/mo. I am getting 22.4 in town, and about 30 hwy.

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  Not bad...not bad at all - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By tinalo - July 20 - 7:53 am

  Got this car to save on gas since I drive 600miles a week to work. Only have 3000 miles on it and already up to 34 MPG. (Hoping it gets up to 42!) I really like the hands free phone feature! Havent yet figured out the navigation yet though.

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  Car Snob Humbled by Volt - 2011 Chevrolet Volt
  By gtoernie1 - July 16 - 2:32 pm

  Im a car nut-- have owned everything from Bentleys to Hondas to Lincolns to Porsches. My partner wanted the Volt, and I was skeptical. I was wrong. After 1500 miles, it is the car we choose for family outings (our other cars are 11 Audi A8 and and a 10 Audi Q7 TDI, both of which we love). Why? The Volt is silent. It is quick. It has fun technology that works! It has a refined manner-- much more refined than our Lexus 400h hybrid was. Most of all-- it is versatile. Knowing there is a gas generator to keep you going after the battery is exhausted on long trips, takes the stress out of trip planning. Full recharge takes only 4 hours, but is unnecessary if its inconvenient.

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  I miss my cobalt - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By caguilar16 - July 15 - 7:43 pm

  The 2008 Cobalt Sport Coupe is a great car. I had mine for just over a year before it was totaled in a four car pile up. I purchased it used and never had a problem with it. It looked great inside and out, and had a fun, powerful, yet economical engine. I wish I still had it for it was the perfect car for me. There was plenty of space in the back seat, and a huge trunk. If you are considering this car I strongly suggest that you get it. It is far superior to all cobalts, with the exception of the ss.

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  Very dependable and great on gas! - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By amack1 - July 8 - 2:43 pm

  I love my little Aveo, I bought it brand new in April of 2007 and the only things Ive had to do where get the valve cover replaced (under warranty), change a relay switch which cost me less than $20, wheel bearings at 60k and regular maintenance. Ive used mobil 1 in my car since the day I brought it home, literally and Ive had no problems! It is fun to drive, the easiest 5 speed I swear, I just changed the brakes for the 1st time at 90k miles. (you dont use much with a stick). It has been very reliable and great on gas, i usually get 35-37 mpg, never under 32mpg. If you treat it right, it will return the favor!

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  BEST CROSSOVER - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By gmrocks256 - July 7 - 3:57 pm

  very smooth ride, quiet tried many others like ford, Toyota and nothing was compared to the value i was receiving from the traverse

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  Great Bang for the Buck - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By muthagoose - July 6 - 8:49 pm

  Traded in 2004 Saturn VUE AWD to make room for 3rd carseat and needed 3rd row. Also test drove Acadia,Enclave,Explorer,Pilot, and Highlander. Narrowed our choice between Highlander and Traverse. Both had very good ride and comfort, but Traverse won out primarily on room behind 3rd row (could not fit golf bag or stroller in Highlander if 3rd row up). Insisted on 2nd row captains chairs for easier access to 3rd row (Pilot does not have this option). Would recommend captains chairs if you plan on puting carseats in 2nd row, otherwise access to third row difficult. Almost have 1K miles on it and love it. Great get up & go when I need to pass someone. Very Happy so far.

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  Poor pick up on 4Cyl but what do you expect when it has a 5k pound vehicle to carry! - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By jrt_banks - July 5 - 11:22 pm

  I purchased my 2011 Equinox May 25. So far, I LOVE IT! **Im knocking on wood through this whole post too** I bought a black one with the cloth interior. I already have put 3k miles on it. 2 weeks after I bought the car we went on vacation to Hilton Head SC from Ohio. roughly 690 miles each way. I filled the tank 2 times but it only took us a tank and a half (if even) to get all the way there! On the way back I filled it one and a half times and was still on the second tank for almost a week! I think you just have to break the car in to get the gas mileage expected. Down there we avr. 27mpg (lots of mnts) and on the way back i was up to 31mpg. Pick up is stalled, But its 4cyl wat do u expect