Chevrolet Aveo hatchback (2008 – 2011) expert review

1. Exterior

This is one of the few Chevrolet Aveo high spots, as the Aveo’s modern, sharp-edged styling is handsome. So is the profile, whether in three-door or five-door form, while the rear treatment works pretty well too, especially the funky tail light design. That said, it’s still a long way off the sharp-suited styling of the Ford Fiesta or retro-modern Fiat 500.

Our rating: 3

2. Interior

The interior design of the Chevrolet Aveo isn’t as successful as the exterior, largely because so many of the plastics feel cheap. The layout isn’t a problem, everything is to hand and it looks attractive enough in terms of the design. This also isn’t the most comfortable car in the sector, as the seats aren’t supportive enough and there’s no height adjustment for the driver’s seat unless you opt for the range-topping 1.4 LT. To compound this, the steering wheel is adjustable only for rake but not reach, adding to the disappointment.

Our rating: 2

3. Practicality

With a 60/40 split rear seat for all cars, and a load bay that can swallow up to 980 litres, the Aveo isn’t lacking in practicality. However, leave the seats in place and the boot shrinks to a mere 220 litres. Compared with the Kia Picanto for example, this isn’t bad with its figures of 220 and 882 litres. The same goes for the Renault Twingo, with equivalent figures of 165 and 959 litres. The small boot is down to the fact that the cabin is largely given over to occupants rather than luggage. The result is an interior that can accommodate four adults more easily than you’d expect.

Our rating: 4

4. Ride and handling

The Aveo’s ride isn’t bad, although it tends to be rather bouncy on uneven roads. This lack of body control quickly becomes evident when punting the Aveo through a series of bends, which isn’t a lot of fun when you also factor in the rather vague steering. In isolation the Aveo is reasonably competent dynamically, but compare it with more accomplished superminis like the Renault Twingo or Seat Ibiza and its shortcomings soon become apparent.

Our rating: 2

5. Performance

There are two petrol engines available in the Aveo, but neither gives the car what you could call sparkling performance. In a city car that’s probably to be expected, but if you find yourself having to make a long motorway journey, you might find the lack of go a bit frustrating. The 1.2-litre Aveo produces 83bhp and 84lb/ft of pulling power, which is enough to provide a 106mph top speed and a 0-62mph time of 12.8 seconds – although the car never feels that fast. The 1.4-litre edition packs 98bhp and 96lb/ft of pulling power. Again, although the claimed figures are 12.3 seconds for 0-62mph and the top speed is 106mph, it never feels that lively.

Our rating: 3

6. Running costs

Despite the lack of performance available, the Aveo isn’t as economical or as green as you might expect. The 1.2-litre engine emits 132g/km of CO2 while the 1.4-litre unit ups this to 140g/km – and 152g/km in automatic form. Average fuel consumption for the smaller engine is pegged at 51.4mpg while for the larger unit it’s 47.9mpg – or just 44.1mpg with the automatic gearbox. Compare that with the 1.2-litre Vauxhall Agila’s 51.4mpg and 129g/km or the Seat Ibiza’s 51.4mpg and 128g/km and it’s competitive.

Our rating: 3

7. Reliability

There’s little to suggest that the Aveo is anything other than dependable. The car’s relative simplicity helps here, and the fact that Chevrolet offers a five-year warranty with the car suggests it has a lot of faith in its products.

Our rating: 3

8. Safety

Euro NCAP hasn’t crash tested the Aveo, so it doesn’t carry a safety rating. However, as standard there are anti-lock brakes, front and side airbags for the driver and passenger, seatbelt pre-tensioners, three-point seatbelts for all five seats and Isofix mountings for the outer rear seats. None of the Aveo derivatives are offered with traction control, and there’s also no electronic stability programme available, which is disappointing. Indeed, the Aveo comes only with the minimum level of safety kit.

Our rating: 2

9. Equipment

There are three trim levels offered: S, LS and LT, the latter two offered only if you buy a five-door model. Range-topping LT trim and an automatic gearbox are also available only with the 1.4-litre engine. S trim features electric front windows, manually adjusted mirrors, steel wheels, CD/tuner and that’s pretty much it. Move up to LS trim and you’ll get bigger steel wheels, a trip computer, powered windows in the back plus body-coloured mirrors and door handles – but that’s about it. It’s only range-topping LT models that get a height-adjustable driver’s seat, multi-function steering wheel, fog lights, alloy wheels and sportier interior trim.

Our rating: 2

10. Why buy?

The Chevrolet Aveo is unusual, stylish and offers plenty of cabin space. It also comes with a five-year warranty, for greater peace of mind.

Our rating: 2