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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  Good family vehicle - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By burb owner - May 13 - 7:21 pm

  My truck has run almost errorless expect for a powersteering hose blew out. The 350 is a bulletproof engine doesnt burn a drop of oil at 140000 miles. If you get semiregular checkups the truck will last forever!

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  Bang for the Buck - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Neal - May 13 - 5:25 pm

  First time owner 08 3LT, Z51, dual mode exhaust, with Nav, etc., crystal red. I liked the C5 styling, but the C6 is so much better without popup headlights. Performance at this price point is amazing. The ride with the optional Z51 suspension is still very smooth, yet taut. Dual mode exhaust sounds simply awesome when you punch it in the guts, and adds a bit more power to boot. And who knew that a car capable of nearly 190 mph could get 25-30 mpg when driven normally. Amazing. And the trick integration of the HUD with the nav unit is super cool. I have very few negative things to say about this car. Its a keeper.

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  Wouldnt buy again - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By michigan - May 13 - 2:40 pm

  I have driven a lot of SUVs and this is the worst by far. Rides like a truck, the trim/seal on the doors is already falling off. Too small inside, horrid cup holders. Doesnt feel like it holds the ground well. Drinks gasoline like plants drink water. HATE IT. Would love to get rid of it.

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  Its OK...But - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By cbassett - May 13 - 2:06 pm

  Ive been trying to figure out what kind of personality disorder designed the interior controls on this car. The bizarre configuration of the heating devices is just nothing short of irresponsible. You have to pull over and stop to adjust the settings. Go ahead and TRY to reset the trip odometer when you fill the gas tank. After sitting there for 5 minutes, you can eventually get to the item that you need to reset. The interior controls just make me mad every time I need to touch them. Ive actually looked at other vehicles available because this issue is so irritating to me.

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  Remotelink doesnt work with GM dealer remote start - 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mylink_useless - May 13 - 7:10 am

  It was dissappointing to find out only after taking delivery of my new Silverado that OnStars RemoteLink does not work nor will it ever work with the GM dealer installed remote starter. Both GM and OnStar have assured me that they have no intention now or in the future to ever make the less expensive dealer installed option work with the RemoteLink app for smartphones. From what I can find out, the remote start equipment is installed at the factory but the key fobs are programmed at the dealer through a factory download direct to the vehicle. When you consider that the factory installed remote start option only comes in a higher priced convienence package, I guess its all corporate greed.

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  Great SUV - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By RW - May 12 - 10:04 pm

  My wife and I recently bought this SUV for her daily driver and she could not be more pleased with it. Overall 21mpg and 25mpg on the highway. Smooth ride and great price combine for a happy Chevy customer!

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  poor performance - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By very dissapointed - May 12 - 9:39 pm

  I bought my Colorado in April looking for fuel economy the salesman were very good. But this truck is full of probiems. Just to start the fuel economy, it gives only 19 miles per gallon on the expway. This traveling 200 miles north with the wind going the same direction. The brakes do not work fine after the truck being parked for more than 4 hours. It does not have any power at all. I feel this is not I reliable for family, truck. The worst part for me is the poor shop service the place I bought my truck has. The personnel checked the truck in less than 5 minutes and told me that the computer did not registered anything wrong and in regard to the brakes the manager said " it is brakes dust.

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  Excellent Car for Fun and Economy - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By James - May 12 - 8:57 pm

  I purchased this car a month ago after researching the auto, it is well made and fun to drive. I have owned cars and still own multiple autos. This is fun to drive and a great car for the commute to work. I really like this auto, already placed 1300 miles on the auto.

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  Great car! - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Love Chevys - May 12 - 8:48 pm

  I got my 2002 Cavalier from a dealership back in 2006. I still pay notes on it but it has been great ever since then. I have a year and a half left to own it. It has been a great car. In these two and a half years the only problem I had with it was when I initially got it, back in 06, the fuel injection went out and I had to get it replaced. But overall I have not had another single issue with this car. I love it. It is my baby. When I sell it or trade it in I will be getting another Chevy.

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  25,000 miles in one year! - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By sturns - May 12 - 6:13 pm

  I bought this car a year ago with great apprehension. I have heard bad things about Cavaliers and GM. But my fears have been asuaged. This car is a beast! From freeway to stop and go driving this car has gone 25,000 miles in one year and I have had no real problems. It can be a little underpowered and at times noisy, but its strength lies in reliability. It also excelerates well in turns. Good job Chevy! Good job GM!