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:

• 

  Not up to the standard - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Dennis G. - January 21 - 10:22 am

  The truck overall is a good truck. It get great gas mileage. The fit and finish of the truck is my problem. It rattles, creeks and groans. Ive had the truck since it was new and it sound like its a old truck. The dash make noise and overall the truck just sounds old. Power is OK, but thats all. Not as good as a full size truck for the fit and finish

• 

  New car report - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Charles A. Werley - January 21 - 2:53 am

  I purchased this car because I wanted to save on gas! I drive 70 to 100 miles per day and gas prices are out of control. The window sticker said I would receive 33 MPG-- What a pleasent surprize I received --- I am receiving 40 to 44 MPG on my new Cobalt. I now have 1500 miles on my car.

• 

  1500 crew cab max lt 4x4 - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Duane Cartmell - January 21 - 2:36 am

  love truck. have 50,000 and only problem is rough idle. had at dealer 2 times but no luck. seat really stink but when I checked out 2009, they are the same. gas was a joke. I am very lite footed and get 15 highway. tried towing a car with tow mode and though my trans was going to blow from high rpm so i turned it off and was fine. great parts are power, power. also bottom of tailgate is already starting to rust. I really would buy another one, but with leather seats,

• 

  Good Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By NCMom - January 20 - 10:17 pm

  I bought this van brand new because I got a great deal. Its a little cheesy (needs extended visors, pockets on back of front seat, road noise a little high, fit and finish not very well done), but I find it comfortable, easy to drive, and thus far, extremely reliable.

• 

  Great SUV - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jessica - January 20 - 8:11 pm

  My husband and I decided to get something a little bigger than the 2 door Cobalt that I had, since we travel a good bit. We decided on the Equinox and absoulty love it. We did not need anything extremely big since it is just the two of us, but the room it has is great. This is my first SUV and I will never be able to drive a car again, it drives like a car but is so much higher off the ground. So easy to get in and out.

• 

  Great Car! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jeff - January 20 - 5:46 pm

  Fun Car! Never owned a Chevy before. I am surprised by the quality and design. Great sound system.

• 

  Worst Chevy out of 3 that Ive owned - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Teresa hardin - January 20 - 1:16 am

  After 2 years the ignition wire had to be replaced. The fuel pump went out in 5 years. 6 months later a fuel solenoid had be replaced. The dash lights fade out for no reason.

• 

  Think twice before you purchase this - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By stick w/honda - January 19 - 9:23 pm

  I had my truck for 3 months and steering was shaking violently and brakes were even worse. Took it into the dealership TWICE, but they could find the problem which is still going on! I had a Honda for the past 10 years without a single problem. I regret going with GM. I dont feel safe in it and very hesitant transporting my children in it. I hate this truck and how I fear for my safety in it. Traction light is always coming on and the traction warning light comes on too. I was told it is ok by the dealership and it would reset itself when I turned off the car. It does, only to turn right back on 5-10 minutes later.

• 

  Very , Very HAPPY! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By BRYAN - January 19 - 8:00 pm

  Had my Traverse for about 5 weeks. Drives great , well responsive good acceleration even loaded. Tows just as good as my Jeep GC. The best thing we like about is the interior. Especially the capts chairs in the second row. My gas mileage is about 21 mpg avg between hwy/cty. Better then my jeep which is about 18 mpg avg.

• 

  Great Vehicle - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Happy - January 19 - 3:49 pm

  This vehicle has been good for everything. Very comfortable on long trips. Never had any major mechanical problems. Hauls large equipment weights. Plenty of space. I think it is great