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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  Comments - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Arline Jesme - March 22 - 6:36 pm

  I am not happy with the location of the lever to adjust the stirring wheel. It is not safe when you are on a long trip and you need to change settings. I have to pull over to do it as it is hard to do it (over correct and turn into some one). And I am not a tall so I need to change it on trips) and also the adjustment on moving the seat, up and down. It stinks. The emergency brake is in a location the is really unhandy. I wish I would have check this car out more. Should get more for what you pay for thise cars. Did not want to pay real big money out and this is what you get. Poor quality. I hope to trade in couple years. I always was with GMC. I needed a car at the time & think I was pushed.

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  If knew now when I bought it. - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Michael - March 22 - 11:34 am

  This car is in the shop more than I drive it. I have had to replace the engine three times (due to over heating), transmission twice (hard shifting), security moge, headlight switch (headlights turn off at night while driving), catalytic. Convert (car smoking), hubs, axles (loud roaring), steering column (popping, ) and the list goes on. All and all I have sent over $11,000 on this car in repairs its not worth buying oh yea did I mention there is a class action lawsuit on this car from years 2000- 2005 with the 3.8l (or k modle under lawsuit search) engines. I going to mark this car as a dont buy! Trust me!

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  2006 Monte Carlo SS - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By CarolT - March 22 - 10:06 am

  While this car is fun to drive (and the V-8 is certainly a major improvement) the interior design leaves much to be desired. The shifter is in an terrible location and its difficult to adjust the temp control. I opted for the premimum stereo system and its not a premium sound in my opinion. Would I purchase this car again? Certainly, I would just opt for the cheap stereo system and upgrade it later. As for the temp control...well, maybe theyll get it right next time.

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  1st vehicle it would hurt me to give up! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By truly - March 22 - 7:50 am

  This is the first vehicle I have ever owned that it would truly hurt to give up. I bought it new 184000 miles ago and its been great, Outside of normal maintaince, I had the rear locking differential replaced at 140000 miles. The versatility of the midgate makes it so I can haul 4 x 8 drywall with 12 long 2 by 4s on top of them, sticking between the front seats, all out of the weather. Its great for hauling the grocerys, moving a kid to college or taking 5 full sized adults on a trip. Towing is ok, ride and comfort is better than any car or minivan that I ever owned.

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  turns out to be ok - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By christopher wilkins - March 22 - 6:35 am

  I have come to love driving it but it lacks acceleration and the miles per gallon are not that great. I estimate that I get maybe 15mpg as oppose to the 26 to 32 that I have seen posted on the sticker. The head room is great, as for the leg room which can become an issue with passengers in the back. I like the handling around corners and how smooth the ride is. All in all, Ive grown to love the cars qualities as well as its downsides

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  Air bag light - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Terri - March 22 - 4:37 am

  Is anyone having issues with air bag light going on periodically? Chevrolet dealer stated they cannot repair it unless the light is on when I bring it in. I am concerned about my safety but that does not seem to be a concern of theirs.

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  Classy and Efficient - 2016 Chevrolet Volt
  By kelcam - March 22 - 4:23 am

  I highly recommend the Chevy Volt. The technology, efficiency and overall look of the vehicle is tremendous.

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  not what I expected - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By monay - March 21 - 3:11 pm

  The brand new Tahoe is not what I expected. I took my first trip in my Tahoe to Reno where I experienced the throttle sticking whenever I would press all the way down on the gas. I actually had to use my foot to push the pedal back up. Thats not safe at all. The interior cloth seats collects so much Lent. Now Im looking into replacing with leather which is costly. Another complaint is the plastic lighter covers are so cheap that two of mine have already fell off. I think for how much the Tahoe costs they have should of been built better. The older tahoes look a lot better than the 2007-2008. I take the blame. I should of did my homework before getting locked into a car that Im not happy with.

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  A Great Choice - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Joe Capita - March 21 - 2:50 pm

  I recently purchases an Equinox LT and I have been very satisfied. I traded in a Mercedes ML 320, so I was a bit concerned about the quality of the Equinox, but those concerns were unfounded. In a lot of ways, I like the Equinox better. It has a lower center of gravity, drives more nimbly, has better power, and gets better gas mileage than the ML320. The quality of the interior and exterior are not noticibly different. Although Ive only had the Equinox about a month, Im feeling very good about the purchase. Id recommend it to anybody.

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  Nice ride - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mark - March 21 - 2:40 pm

  Very nice ride! Interior is very light, but comfortable. It rides like a bigger suv but handles like a small one. I have been very happy with the comfort, but wish I would have gotten a lighter color. Black is horrible to keep clean