William C. Durant founded Chevrolet back in 1911, giving way to one of the most American brands you can find, and the fourth biggest car brand in sales. He came up with the iconic bow-tie emblem for Chevy cars, but nobody really knows what had inspired it. Some theories are a hotel wallpaper design, a newspaper advertisement, and the Swiss flag. My favorite of the theories is that it was a simple doodle that he fell in love with while eating dinner with his family. It will remain a mystery, as the true story is lost to history.
Performance Cars
No Chevy car gives lackluster performance but the Camaro continues to prove itself exceptional. There are now a few engine options including a four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and the legendary 6.2 V8.
Although known for its unique appearance, the Corvette is another car that performs very well. The new ZR1 comes with a supercharged 6.5 LT5 V8, creating an impressive 755 HP and 716 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s the fastest production car to lap the Virginia international raceway, even beating the Ford GT.
Sedans are a no-brainer
Unfortunately, two popular Chevy cars, the Cruze and the Impala, are scheduled to be discontinued in 2020. They are great cars, so if that’s what you’re here for, go get yours while they’re still around! However, there are a multitude of other sedans that can not only replace, but also improve the options of those looking to buy new.
Malibu
The Malibu has been restyled for 2019 with new headlights, taillights, front grille, and optional infotainment. You can get 29 city miles, and 36 highway miles as well as 15.7 cu. ft. of cargo volume. Phone integration and teen driver technology is available as well as a built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, perfect for the modern driver and those with new-drivers hitting the streets.
It has five different trim levels, the sportiest being the RS. The RS trim has a much more aggressive look with a black emblem, spoiler, and dual exhausts. It sits on 18-inch machined aluminum wheels and the black interior is matched with a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The price for the RS trim starts at $25,095. The premier trim has a more powerful 2.0 turbo engine, which increases its starting price to $32,695.
Malibu Hybrid
This 2019 midsized Chevy Sedan crushes the other models in fuel economy. You can get about 49 city miles and 43 highway miles for a combined 46 MPG. The exhaust heat is safely used to warm the car, improving performance in colder climates and increasing more-consistent fuel economy.
Using electricity alone, the car can reach up to 55 MPH. Reaching a higher speed will automatically pull from the gas-powered engine. What makes this possible is the 80-cell, 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The many safety features make this the ideal choice for a first car. With the Teen Driver technology parents have the ability to set certain controls and check on the habits of the driver, opening the conversation around safe driving and learning better driving fundamentals. For safety features there are ten airbags, a rear-vision camera, Stabilitrak technology, and many more available through different packages.
Not only does the Malibu hybrid include wireless charging, but also OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Even better is that it is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so that you can keep your focus on the road.
Bolt EV
This sedan is the most progressive we can get at the moment from Chevy. This all-electric car can drive about 238 miles on just a single charge, which evens out to around 25 miles per hour of charge with a 240- volt/32 amp-charging unit. Some notable internal features are the 56.6 cu. ft. of cargo space and a 10.2-inch diagonal color touch screen.
There is no need for an oil change in this car, so it could be perfect for that relative who neglects the regular upkeep of a gas powered car. That being said, there are still other aspects that require maintenance and upkeep. A tire rotation is suggested every 7,500 miles as well as changing the air filter every 22,500 miles.
Sales for this model didn’t reach their intended goals, but seem to be slowly picking back up. It is rumored that the production of the Bolt EV will be increasing, but without any further detail.
The starting price is $36,620, some may think it’s not worth the price, but if you look about the price after federal tax credit, we see the price drop significantl. Depending on what state you live in, you may also be eligible for additional state incentives that could really add up.
Sonic
This subcompact Chevy car is a perfect combination of economical and sporty. An estimated 26 city miles and 34 highway miles with 47.7 cu. ft. of cargo space is unmatched by its low starting price of $15,420.
Even for a small car, the Sonic can zip you anywhere you need to be. Both Apple and Android smartphones are compatible, keeping you in contact and connected while safely getting yourself to that next meeting or event. Whether you want to admit it or not, this is the prime example of big things coming in small packages and has something to offer most drivers.
It has a peppy 1.4-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual transmission, which is becoming rather hard to find with the option of an auto transmission. The Sonic has many color options so you’re sure to find one you love and is also available as a hatchback, though the hatchback’s price increases to $18,020 for all that extra room.
Other Noteworthy Vehicles
Blazer
Exciting news to many, the Chevy Blazer which discontinued in 2005 is coming back in 2019! Its FWD option has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and the AWD option comes with the more powerful 3.6 V6. It is available in a variety of trim levels including a sportier RS trim level meaning this is going to be a step above the rest of the Chevy cars.
Equinox
This small SUV is one of Chevy’s best selling models. Its primary features include 3,500lbs of available towing capacity, and 63.9 cu. ft. of cargo volume. The 2019 edition starts at $23,800.
Traverse
You and the whole gang can fit into this midsized SUV, because it has a seating room for up to 8 and a max cargo space of 98.2 cu. ft. with those seats folded down. Whether your gang is made up of rowdy children, a group coworkers or mystery solvers, this is a safe and dependable ride for anyone. The city mileage isn’t great at 18 MPG, but a highway driver could get up to 27 MPG, which could make up for it.
At the End of the Day
Chevy has an extensive range when it comes to the variety of vehicles and endless customizations that can be made. You can make the vehicle truly yours by looking into specific performance parts, body parts, and everything in between. Diversity is what makes it a reliable brand, especially for those who aren’t certain of what build is best suited for them.
The most important thing is safely getting from one place to another, and Chevy cars and SUVs allow us to do so without breaking the bank. Over and over, we are shown by the brand that they are well aware of the importance of sticking to your roots while adapting to modern innovations. Even though some beloved models will be discontinued, it is hard to challenge what makes Chevrolet such a great brand and we know that the future will always be bright for these cars and SUVs.
