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The Aveo sedan and Aveo5
hatchback are built for Chevrolet by Korean GM-owned Daewoo. It has reasonably
comfortable front and rear seats, and as smooth-riding and refined as can be
expected from a subcompact. And at the lowest price in the group, it’s a
tempting value alternative. But at just over $14,000, it isn’t that much less
than some far superior competitors: competitors with nimbler handling, much
better gas mileage, and more cargo space.
The Aveo5 has a
comfortable, absorbent, and fairly steady ride, but it recovers slowly after
large bumps. Despite its compact dimensions (every other car in this group is
longer, wider, and heavier) it doesn’t handle nimbly. Body roll is excessive,
and the steering is overassisted. The engine is smooth but weak; though it has
acceptable power off the line, it loses steam at higher speeds. Wind and road
noise are consistently audible but generally unobtrusive. Gas mileage is low
for a subcompact, despite the car’s low weight and small engine.
Inside, the Aveo5 has
high, comfortable front seats with good leg and head space, though some may
prefer longer and wider cushions. The rear offers little leg space, but the
seat is mounted high and there is good foot space beneath the front seats, so
occupants are reasonably comfortable anyway; more so, even, than Chevrolet’s
compact Cobalt.  The
interior is reasonably well-assembled, but the quality of the plastics is
inconsistent. The Aveo sedan received an upgraded interior for the 2007 model
year, but the Aveo5 hatchback did not. Front seat entry/exit is easy, but the
lack of rear leg space forces a bit more agility for getting in and out of the
back. Expect to fold the rear seat to open up enough cargo space for all but
the smallest items.
The Aveo is the cheapest
vehicle here at $14,104, and isn’t underequipped by this group’s standards. It
doesn’t have curtain-style side airbags or traction control, but the basics of
power windows, locks, and mirrors, keyless entry, cruise control, and antilock
brakes are all available.
Overall, the Aveo is a
fairly pleasant vehicle, and it is the least expensive in this group. But as
an overall package, its cargo space, acceleration, handling, and fuel economy
fall short, and nothing but the price stands out. The Aveo5 is a vehicle that
is settled for, not sought out, but it’s not that much cheaper than competing
subcompacts that could actually be called desirable.
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