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:

• 

  Dissapointed Equinox Owner - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Sad Chevy Owner - October 28 - 2:00 am

  My Husband and I purchased this SUV new at the dealership. We were so excited about owning a new car, our first, only to be disappointed a few months later when our starter started to "act funny". It sounded as though it was still cranking but the engine wouldnt start. We took it into the dealer but nothing was found. Few months later, same problem and same result. We drove our car the next few years hoping for the best with the same problem hoping it would turn on when we got in. Finally just last week we decided to get rid of it because we just couldnt rely on it. I would not recommend this vehicle. Save your money folks, and find a reliable car!

• 

  Cheap parts but reliable ride - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Barbara57 - October 27 - 2:00 am

  LT 2 sport coupe review: sexy car+reliable under the hood+exterior panels were loose+interior steering wheel neck was broken+new leather seats wouldnt move forward+steering ratio limited>tire too big for wheel space, difficulty making U turns or parking+gas mileage not so good for small car

• 

  Great vehicle - 1994 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Aj - October 26 - 2:00 am

  Em 16 and my mom gave it to me it has been in my family for 10 years now and has about 220k miles on it and its still running like a champ. very reliable i put a 6 in lift on it and have 35" tires and a new exhaust to get that beats sound all my friends love it. i love this car and wouldnt sell it for anything the only thing i had to it was i got the transmission rebuilt about 3 months ago and replaced a pulley. All in all its a great car

• 

  Mostly reliable for 10 years - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ski - October 26 - 2:00 am

  Reliable car for ten years, but then the car started overheating when idling even though the thermostat and radiator have been replaced. A small oil leak later occurred at the rear of the engine. An AC hose near the firewall was designed poorly because it created a hole due to rubbing on another part. The side window motor failed. Otherwise no other major parts have been replaced. A previous inspection showed the code for a transmission problem but it works fine. There is no body rust and the original exhaust system is still used. The top is in good shape. Although the body is in good shape, I was hoping to get more mileage out of the car.

• 

  Love it - 2010 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Dave - October 26 - 2:00 am

  Second C-6. Love the vehicle. The interior could use a face lift for a $60k car bt everything else is great. Someone asked about the dual mode exhaust. Either pull the fuse or buy a $60 gadget called "mild to wild". Replaces the fuse and allows you to open or close the damper from the homelink button.

• 

  Chevy strong after 5 years - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Fwash01 - October 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle with less then ten miles. I have not had any major problems with it since driving it off the lot in December 2005. Common water leaks in the rear compartment area. Took it to the dealer for a quick fix, no luck heavy rain, check back of truck. Vehicle becomes very unstable while on the highway and amongst big vehicle. The ride feels like the vehicle is not firmly on the road. The electric steering motor gives it a different feel than with a power steering pump. Along with the unpredictable ride, light weight, makes the driver anticipate the next steering maneuver no electrical problems, 46,000 miles on original brakes. Tires changed at 45,000 miles, ac no issues.

• 

  Great Vehicle - Chevy Believer - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Awesome SUV - October 26 - 2:00 am

  This is my first true SUV and so far its exceeded my expectations. I can honestly say after 20K miles of in town and highway driving, I would buy another Tahoe. Excellent driving experience and the gas mileage has been about as expected, actually slightly better. But I have to say Im not a heavy on the gas either.

• 

  Eats coil packs like a fatty eats donuts - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Allan Elder - October 26 - 2:00 am

  I loved this car initially the best interior layout in its class bar none. Captains chairs in the back, leather, DVD with Bose 5.1 surround. After 9000 miles we took it back to the dealer for a hesitation issue they investigated and found nothing up. The Hesitation issue became worse and worse on the third visit @ 18K miles they replaced the coil pack on cylinder #1. At 32K miles, they just replaced it again for the same issue.

• 

  Keeps going - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Mommybug - October 25 - 2:00 am

  We are approaching the 200,000 mile mark and this car has been very reliable at getting us around, even when the Denver winters hit. Our air conditioner just went out for the 2nd time (1st was under warranty), and weve had to replace several of the original parts as they just get old, but nothing unexpected with a car this age. I wish the clear coat on the paint had lasted longer as it doesnt look as nice anymore. The fabric on the seats has held up well, but the interior roof fabric has not. I also agree that the car handles have shown a bit of weakness, though weve only had to replace the driver side once. Power window fixed once, too.

• 

  Why no recalls from GM - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Solid 7 rating - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my TB (32,000 miles) used with manufacture warranty and a good dealership to stand behind it. The original owner was from Pennsylvania which has rough winter weather. Spare tire mechanism was frozen,dealership replaced for free. Tb ran great with no major repairs until aug/nov/dec 2009- replace headlight assy $370 because the adjuster for the light bulb was broken, $350 to replace inst panel because the speedometer stopped functioning, $25 replace gas cap, replace left u-joint, sway joints, sway bar in front $800, first set of brakes&rotors since my ownership $400 back & front. Overall Im pleased with its performance. GM shouldve put recalls out for headlight &inst panel.