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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  Love that Chevy Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kmw910 - July 3 - 10:00 am

  Love Chevs. Have driven one since 1986. This is my 3rd. Very dependable. This model has all the features I was looking for in an SUV. Small, but not too small, sporty design and low price. With Chevy quality, I think I have a winner.

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  My 2500HD Duramax - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Walt - July 3 - 7:30 am

  This is the first pickup Ive had in a while and I love it. Great performance. I was a little disappointed in the beginning with my fuel economy but now that I have about 8000 miles on it I am getting about 20- 21 mpg on the highway and about 14-15 mpg in town. When towing I dont even notice my travel trailer behind me anymore. The Allison transmission is great too. My only regret is that I didnt hold out for a leather interior because I expect to keep this truck for a long time.

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  Third Cavalier...no complaints - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Lucky17757 - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Despite Edmunds poor opinion of this car, I have had two new and one used Cavaliers and had a good experience . The horsepower and price with rebates makes it a keeper. Fuel economy is great also. Two thumbs up. Cant wait to try the new Cobalts in a few years when I have retired my new one!

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  Quality Defined. Yep, It Is A Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Rhett - July 3 - 12:53 am

  Three years later and its still going strong. No diminished qualities. The only repair outside of standard oil changes has been the steering column bearing and the A/C diverter actuator. No big deal either time. The warranty covered it all. Nice riding vehicle. All two-wheel- drive Chevys historically have the porpoising front ends on hilly/bumpy roads, this one is no different. But, I bought a truck not an El Dorado.

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  Best truck ever - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Terry - July 2 - 1:00 pm

  We purchased this truck new for the highways and mountains of New Mexico. With 30,000 miles now it has never had to go back to the dealer for any warranty or repairs! Looks good with no rattles or problems and its solid. About 17 mpg overall. 4.11 gears and rated for 8500 lbs towing, if needed. Ive owned lots of Chevys and this is the best truck ever.

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  excellent choice! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By kowbyz8 - July 2 - 2:00 am

  A great car to drive and handles very nicely. Only downfall is there are no child safety door locks. Like the idea of three should/lap belts in the back seat. Its very roomy in the back even for tall people. I love the care and glad we purchased it instead of another make we were looking at. Great value for the price!

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  Truck with the comfort of a car - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By BucFan410 - July 2 - 2:00 am

  This truck has all the comfort of a car with the durability of a truck. Bought with the intent to pull a boat. Plenty of cab room for a large family with plenty of room for storage and luggage. Great vehicle. Very impressed. Although gas prices have made it costly to fill, worth the comfort.

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  GMC Canyon - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By jenovak5000 - July 1 - 10:46 pm

  Excellent vehicle. Terrific performance

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  Its Perfect - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Ricard - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Its roomy, quite comfortable, rides great, great fit and finnish. Should I go on! This is my second Suburban in 2 years. My first a 2000 LS was traded in only because I wanted to get out of my lease. I had absolutely no problems with it. However, my 2002 seems "tighter". The 02 was manufactured in Wisconsin and the 2000 was out of Mexico. Shouldnt be any difference but I do notice subtle differences.

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  So far so good. - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Magin - July 1 - 10:00 am

  At 15000 miles I have yet to see any problems. The truck seems to be getting better and better. The duramax is wonderfully quiet and the Alison transmission is shifting seamlessly. At first I was worried about all the new technology but it is working like a champ. Plenty of interior room. Loads of power and quite fast too.