The Chevrolet Aveo is a product of the merger from the recent purchase of Daewoo. This South Korean company has been making this car, but now the new design and production team is being ran by GM. There is a larger market for low end, entry level vehicles now than ever before. The Aveo has come to the Chevrolet family just in time. You can purchase the base model Aveo for just over $12,000. This vehicle comes in a hatchback or a sedan mode. The 5 door hatchback is the most popular and it does offer a very usable storage space in the rear of the vehicle despite this cars very small size.
Promising a 35 MPG stamp on the highway, this small economy car offers an amazing amount of fuel economy without the need for a huge battery. There may be a hybrid model of the Aveo in the future, but right now you have to settle for its 1.6 L DOHC 16 Valve 4 cylinder engine. There are 3 different
The Range
Bodystyles: Sedan, four-door hatchback.
Engine: 1.6L I-4
Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic
Models: LS, 1LT, 2LT
What's New
The addition of standard cabin air filtration and two new exterior colors are the only changes for the 2011 Aveo. The new colors are Silver Ice Metallic and Summit White. "New GM" promises the '12 Aveo launching in early 2011, will transform the Chevy into a world-class subcompact. Until then, expect heavy discounts and incentives to clear the lots of this model.
Exterior
The sleek styling of this car's replacement promises good things to come. Until then, the Aveo is stuck with gawky and cheap-looking exterior styling. Think Daewoo with a bowtie grille and 14- or 15-inch wheels.
Interior
The 1LT adds, six-speaker AM/FM stereo/CD/MP3 player and floor mats. The 2LT adds heated power sideview mirrors, power windows, locks, remote keyless entry and alarm, cruise control, deluxe cloth seats, wheel-mounted audio controls and XM radio.
Performance & Handling
Aveo's Ecotec four makes 108 horsepower and 104 pound-feet of torque. You buy cars like this for price and fuel efficiency, and the manual version is competitive while the four-speed automatic falls short of its competitors' fuel efficiency. If you want any semblance of performance in this car, the manual is the only choice. Steering feel and handling are subpar.
Safety
Side-impact and dual-stage front airbags are standard. Four-channel anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution are optional. The four-speed automatic has Hill Control Mode, which lets the driver hold a higher gear on slippery roads.
EPA Fuel Economy
27 mpg city/35 mpg highway (manual); 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway (automatic)
You'll Like
- Fuel efficiency
- Interior spaciousness
- Hatchback flip-and-fold rear seats
- Low, low price
You Won't Like
- Awkward styling
- Awkward handling
- Poor acceleration
- Cheap, not cheerful interior
- Sparse features
Sum Up
Wait for the 2012 model
If You Like This Vehicle
- Ford Fiesta
- Honda Fit
- Hyundai Accent
- Kia Rio
- 2008 Honda Civic