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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  Very Good Vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Love my CHEVY - April 3 - 1:55 pm

  I had to get a new car when my old one got totaled. I knew I wanted a SUV but i didnt know what. I found my car I took it on 2 test drives, and I fell in love with it. I love how high it sits up im short so that makes a big difference. When its time to get another vehice it will definitely be looking for another Equinox. I also like how well priced they are!

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  Good little truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By J B - April 3 - 12:22 pm

  I have owned this vehicle for right at a year now. I purchased it used with 43000 miles on it. I know I paid too much for it but I have no one to blame for that but myself. The vehicle has suprising pep and power for a 5 cyl engine. Im not completely impressed with MPG as I get anywhere from 17-21 depending on the style of driving Im doing. I bought the small truck in hopes of better. The truck will absolutely tow a lot more than GM rates it for. Just towed an 8000 lb tractor home after a breakdown. Its definitely worth a look. GM needs to get more advertising out on this vehicle instead of letting it die like Im hearing they are doing.

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  $50,000 later & I will keep it forever. - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By 08LT-z71 - April 3 - 11:58 am

  Purchased in Feb 08. Currently have about 1700 miles on it and love it. We opted for the Z71 model, because of the ability to go on moderate off road trails. I will probably look into putting a small lift on it eventually as ground clearence isnt what it should be for 4x4...my 99 Silverado z71 has more ground clearence than this, but for a family vehicle, we will love it and keep it for well over 200,000 miles. Also like the fact we can put e85 in it, though I will confess, in Denver traffic, we only get about 11 miles to the gallon. But at $2.19 a gallon, it only costs $65 to fill instead of $95 w/91 octane. The e85 gets us about 300mpg vs 450mpg with 91. No 6spd tranny for 1500.

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  Lemon, current state of US auto mfg - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By The Dude - April 3 - 11:49 am

  My daily driver, inherited at 89k now 120k. Constant electrical problems. Wheel/steering shimmy. Tailgate cables broke. Electrical: tach and fuel gauge occasionally misread, reduced engine power comes on on cold starts and not as over-heating protection AC comes on in recirc mode, rear door locks only work manually and they keep blowing unlock relay fuse, difficulty starting-starter may be wearing out. Lumbar support is terrible for drives over an hour, but who can afford to drive that far anyway? Ring and pinion gears needed replacement at 115K. Ive read tons of problem blogs regarding electronics. Is this truck a lemon?

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  Great car! - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Lewis - April 3 - 11:31 am

  We managed to find what is apparently the only 5-speed manual with ABS in existence! The sticker was $16,185 and we paid $11,700 after various rebates and discounts. This is an amazing small car. Excellent quality, very stylish interior with so many gadgets and gizmos standard I cant believe it, including 6 airbags! I dont think there is any other small car on the market that can compete with the Cobalt. The engine is powerful, ride is smooth, crisp, and quiet. And great quality. Toyota? Honda? No way. Would never get a car this good for the price.

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  Love it - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Kate - April 3 - 10:41 am

  I thought these were funny looking cars till I saw one at the Philly auto show. Then I realized how hot they are. I had a Focus from the first year they sold them, so I was nervous buying the debut HHR. In the year that Ive owned it, I havent had a single problem. I love driving it, the handling is great, and I love the style. A very reliable, fun to drive, comfy car.

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  Fun 2008 Chevy Aveo - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Rich - April 3 - 10:05 am

  Bought a 5 door hatch in the LS trim in March of 2008. Did lots of research on the car and found it to be as advertised. Gas mileage is roughly 30 on the highway and about 25 city. Not quite as good as I would expect in a vehicle of this size. Aerodynamics are questionable as the vehicle is boxy and this probably leads to some loss of mileage. I took the car on a trip to a surrounding state and found that it did surprisingly well on the highways, even on a very windy day. Cruise control would be a nice addition for higway driving. The interior is surprisingly roomy and 4 people can be fairly comfortable for short hops. This is an excellent commuter car and has some nice features.

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  2500HD LT Crew Cab LB 8.1L - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By AJR - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Great truck with lots of power. The 8.1L gets 12 mpg around town and up to 13.5 highway. Will haul/tow anything.

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  A Dream Come Thrue - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By A Dream come thrue - April 2 - 11:18 pm

  I love this car, this is my dream car. Black 2008 Z06 with 3LZ pack, chrome wheels and Navigation system. It is everything I was expecting and more. A well and improved Corvette compared with the previous ones. A car in the mid $70,000 and capable of competing with the high prices cars like Porshe ect. The American auto industry is raising the bar with this car. I was shopping between all the new cars and I am very happy with my decision. The power in this car is unbelievable but at the same time it give you all the technology and accessories the perfect combination. I am using it as a daily driving car and no complaints at all. It making 16/28 MPG not bad for a 505 HP.

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  Just dont hit a deer! - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By kbwjc07 - April 2 - 10:29 pm

  Ran ok for the first 4 1/2 years. Had to replace the altenator, and belts,by the 5th year. But the interior didnt last 6 months. Vanity mirror cover on visors fell off. Handels on seats snapped off(cheap metal). Power seat motor gave out. Then the wiper motor, both front and rear wipers useless. A/C also. Then we hit the suicidal deer. Ball joints, rotors, bearings, basically the whole suspension. Internalized fuel pumps and sensors are a big mistake. 4wd works when it wants to. Power windows work one day then nothing the next. Repairs just seem to domino effect with this model. But all in all hanging in there given the milage and trauma