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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  Basic Pickup - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Tim - April 11 - 11:28 am

  When I was looking for a basic small regular cab, I4, 5 speed 4x4, I would have bought a Toyota, Nissian, or Ford (anything but a Dodge). Every one I looked at could not compare to the price of the Colorado.I was suprised with the standard options on it for the price,$13,000 with 24,000 miles. I havent had any problems with it in the 6 months Ive owned it. Im very satified with it, for a basic truck you cant complain about fit and finish and power for this price. The 5 speed is an overdrive and when I drop it in 4th there is enough power to merge on the highway. If you want bigger, faster, better, more power, youre going to pay for it. I will keep this truck until it goes to the junkyard.

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  Sweet! - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Chris - April 11 - 11:04 am

  Just got my wife into the 2LT with the Sun & Entertainment package added in. Its basically an LTZ without the chrome and the heated rear seats. We got it black with cashmere (tan) interior. Its super sharp looking. The wife loves it. Our goal was to have our three kids fit across the 2nd row bench seat, leaving plenty of cargo room -- or room for other kids. Its no problem. The kids love the DVD, and the wife is loving the sweet Bose system with sat radio, nav, and the rear view cam. I cant wait to start trying the OnStar, and try towing my boat with it. This makes our old (loaded) Pacifica look pretty lame. If you need the full size SUV for the family, this ride is truly great.

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  As good as any Japanese car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By gilanna - April 10 - 11:03 pm

  Great handling, excellent acceleration,decent gas mileage averaging 25 combine city/hwy. Purchased new, now has 32k of maintenance free miles. Reliable, just a great car for the money.

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  Highlander vs NOX - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By FCA - April 10 - 10:00 pm

  I had 01 Highlander with 200k and needed to replace the engine! I ordered the Nox and compared to the HL the Nox wins in all catigories expect cargo volume. Very quite, smooth, solid vehicle. Seems to ride bigger than it is. Not sure about the mileage yet only have 336kls on it.

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  Nice car but has some problems - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By bryan - April 10 - 9:50 pm

  Have 70k miles on it, has a rattle that wont quit, remote start works most of the time but is getting worse, turns over just isnt firing. Electric power steering has completely quit working on a 250 mile trip, started working 10 miles from the dealership, quit working again today from work to home, they said since I have been reporting lots of the same problems they will fix it. They also told me one time at 40,000k that my injectors were leaking, they dont even now how the car works that they make, it idles high in mornings or when its cold to warm up faster, and they wanted me to pay for it, it also eats the inside of the front tires like candy since it was new.

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  Take care - 1995 Chevrolet Impala
  By low rider - April 10 - 9:41 pm

  I had been the proud owner of my 1995 Impala for 9 yrs. I loved every mile: the car was stealthy, and total luxury. Unfortunately, 1 1/2 yrs ago, while waiting on a red light, I was rear ended so hard that the frame bent and my neck was broken. If you are still lucky enough to own one of these classics, please look into better neck restraint. My car was totalled and I am lucky to be alive. Keep an eye out for th other guy. I wish I had my lowrider back, and my neck, stock, too. With better neck restraint, at least I would have walked away without a titanium plate and screws where my neck used to be.

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  Awesome Car! - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Erich - April 10 - 8:22 pm

  This is my second car and it is a great choice. There is enough room for 4 people to fit comfortably. A little small for the back seat if youre really tall but other than that lots of room back there. I like that it has a lot of good features standard on this years model.

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  I hate my Equinox - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Harry P - April 10 - 6:42 pm

  Really disappointed that I bought this truck. Traded in my 2003 fully loaded Trailblazer EXT and this is such a step down. GM really went the cheap route in the interior. The Sport version lists for $40k Cdn and there are so many better trucks for that amount of money. The biggest complaint is the ride. From what I can tell the Sport is the worst of them all but it is totally uncomfortable and bounces all over the road. This will be traded quite soon.

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  Great Ride - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Susan in Alabama - April 10 - 5:40 pm

  I have been very pleased with this car and would highly recommend it to anyone. Oh yes and the get-up-and-go it has is very unexpected. Try one today and help keep Chevrolet going.

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  I love my Equinox - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Bill - April 10 - 2:38 pm

  Well I have only had the car about a week, but it is fun to drive and has great pickup. I have the sport which gives 265 hp or so. I do wish there was a automatic release for the rear hatch by either remote and or inside latch either way would be nice, otherwise I am very happy with it and hopefully will be for a long time.