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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  As Advertised 2nd report - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ronguy - May 25 - 12:53 pm

  Returned from my 2nd 740 mile round trip to Rochester, MN and and am happy to report that this time I averaged 32.3 mpg on the highway. I did not drive over 65 miles per hour even though in MN the speed limit is 70. On the way home I averaged 29 mpg but attribute it the very high winds all the way home. Very happy with the Equinox.

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  Equinox V6 LT2 - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By red_rider - May 25 - 10:54 am

  I recently purchased an Equinox and absolutely love it. Im glad I got the v6, because it is perfect when you need that boost of speed. I currently get 19.8 mpg driving 90% city and 10% highway. This is because I coast a lot of the time when I see a red light. I think eventually it might hit 19 mpg, but Im not really looking for good gas mileage since I drive maybe 100 miles a week.

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  Just bought a Used 06 NOX! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By tabithaj - May 24 - 1:36 pm

  I just bought an 06 Equinox with 69k miles on it. Really great price, low payments. So far it hasnt been any trouble at all. I hear a rattle somewhere in the stering column, like a small plastic piece is loose or something. I love drining it~ :-) I think I am happy so far. :-)

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  220,000 miles and almost no repairs - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By roadway1 - May 22 - 7:37 am

  This is the most amazing vehicle made. I use this vehicle for work and tow heavy trailers almost every time it is used. We have put 220,000 miles on it and it is running strong. You cannot kill this vehicle if you tried.

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  Chevrolet got it right - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By datuttle - May 22 - 6:08 am

  Had my Cruze for a week now. This is the first "small?" car that I have ever loved. Incredible fuel mileage, more power than you would expect and it is so much larger than its competition. I drove them all before buying this one. A comparable car from Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Ford or others is thousands more. You need to go with the BMW or Lexus to get the same ride and features of the Cruze. I drove them all and this car really stands out above them.

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  liked it so much Im on my 2nd one! - 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bwgr1985 - May 17 - 8:54 am

  I bought an LS in 2009 and it was a great car. Took a few thousand miles to get the good gas milage but it was great to have even for a basic car. Well chevy was offering some great deals on the 2011s so I decided to upgrade to a fully loaded 2011 LTZ. I couldnt be happier. Its fun to drive even for a 4 banger and looks good on the road or sitting in the parking lot. The 09 had a 4 speed auto and this one has a 6 speed auto, so it does feel a little different on shifts and sometimes will lag between shifts but overall I just love this car. Recommend to anyone.

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  Exalant Ride - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bobjohn1 - May 15 - 3:13 pm

  I love my truck. Ive had all three American made trucks and have never had a truck like this. Its well balanced and gets around better in ice, snow, and mud like no other half ton 4x4 Ive ever been in. The highway ride is unmatched. None of the other trucks seats feel like these. It hasnt given me any troubles. Its got 114 k miles on it and I get 18 mpg on the highway. Show me another 4x4 that does that! All three of my kids fit comfortably and they are all teens. My oldest is almost 56" tall.

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  Top of the Class! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By micha78 - May 14 - 9:33 pm

  This car really makes you feel special the second you open the door and see the beautifully designed dash. Cannot say enough about the quality that went into this car from the feel of the soft touch materials inside to the beautiful exterior. To compare it to Civic and Corolla does it an injustice. We own a 2010 Corolla and it is just a boring A to B car with terrible fit and finish inside. With the Cruze, you want to fight for the keys because of how it makes you feel. You really feel like youre driving a sport luxury car and wonder how you got away paying so little. Highly recommend it, you will not go back to the boring boxes on wheels.

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  YOU WILL NOT REGRET YOUR PURCHASE!! (: - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By chickenfrieddd - May 14 - 10:26 am

  Words can not explain how much I am absolutely in LOVE with this vehicle! The design is beautiful and it is so fun to drive. Its unbelievably quiet and it drives VERY smooth. If youre looking for something with luxury but not with a huge price tag, this is the car for you. get MPG as well!

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  Love this car - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By jueckstj - May 12 - 11:24 am

  My lumina is my first and only car so far. After ten years of driving it, I have never been stranded with a car that wouldnt start. I have replaced a lot on the car in the last ten years, but nothing out of the ordinary for a car that is 14 years old. The only complaint I have is that the body has rusted pretty much beyond repair. Although I think the engine could last another 75k, I dont think that the body will (I blame this on western michigan winters). My advice for people in very snowy areas: wash the salt off your car because if I would have, I would still be driving this car in 2015.