There is no center console container, and the door pockets aren't particularly large. On the backseat shelf, all three positions have clearly marked top tethers. With the loss of the Special Value trim, it's no longer a bargain, and given the drivetrain similarities, the extra features don't justify the new price. Engine noise at highway speeds remains low, but wind and road noise do not. Barely two-and-a-half years after its 2004 debut, the Aveo has undergone a complete exterior makeover, while the interior is not only wider, taller and longer, but also fully equipped with a few standard and optional features not found on competitive cars in its price range, such as the Kia Rio, Scion xA, Hyundai Accent, Suzuki Aerio, Honda Fit and Nissan Yaris.
Cargo The Chevy Aveo's trunk holds 12. . Despite its friendly face and upmarket frills, I found the new Chevrolet Aveo short on drivability, comfort and — most importantly — overall value. Outboard positions have ample lateral room, though there's no middle armrest. For buyers willing to live with the previous design, the Aveo5 hatchback still comes in Special Value trim.
The Chevy Aveo includes for front and outboard rear passengers. Shoppers might also consider an entry-level hatchback. As of this writing, neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has crash tested the 2007 Chevrolet Aveo. Chevrolet also markets a companion five-door hatchback, now called the Aveo5. A modest center hump intrudes on the center passenger's foot room.
Aveo in the Market In the entry-level segment, there's a lot that keeps the Aveo from being truly competitive. It helps to reduce wheel spin and loss of traction by allowing the driver to manually select a different gear so that torque to the wheels is reduced, much as with a true manual transmission. It's a clean, reasonably fresh design, but it's not as distinctive. The wood-grain pieces aren't too shiny, and the two-tone dashboard is textured to avoid the cheap plastic look of an entry-level vehicle. Front and rear brakes are standard, and is optional; four-wheel-disc brakes aren't available.
The frontal ratings should only be compared among other small cars of similar size and weight. The glove box is about the size I expect for a compact car. The seatback is somewhat better. For the 2007 model year, the Chevrolet Aveo sedan has been updated, although it still relies on the basic mechanical underpinnings, or architecture, from the 2006 model year. The Honda Fit proves that not every flyweight engine need exhibit these characteristics. A slight lean is noticeable on corners taken at speed but the overall driving experience is precise and pleasant, with the car holding the line during straight, hard braking. Chevrolet redesigned the Cavalier several years ago, making it bigger and fancier so it could better compete with the Honda Civic.
Interior materials and styling differentiate the Aveo from some of its value-priced competitors. As is the case in most small sedans, headroom in back is tight. Fourteen-inch steel wheels and tires are , while fifteen-inch alloy wheels and tires are optional. The institute uses a system of good, acceptable, marginal or poor. Outboard positions have ample lateral room, though there's no middle armrest. Vehicle Details Small touches of metallic grain and satin chrome trim give an upscale look to the interior. These feel pretty cheap, sort of a plastic or nylon-like texture, plus there's not much contouring to the bottom cushion, so long rides would not be so comfortable.
Chevrolet brings its re-designed entry-level, economy subcompact four-door Aveo into dealerships as a slew of other fuel-efficient small sedans race into showrooms to beat the continuing gas crunch. It doesn't mean the Aveo's performance will be 'good' in a collision with a larger vehicle. In frontal and side-impact crash tests conducted by the federal government the Aveo did well. An electronic throttle control and variable induction system help maximize power across the rpm range for consistency and fuel economy, and the four-speed automatic transmission's Hold Control mode provides a pseudo-manual operation the driver can select for sportier or more controlled driving. My test vehicle came with imitation leather seats, simulated wood trim and metallic accents, clearly an effort to move the Chevy Aveo upscale. Child-seat provisions include two lower in each outboard rear seat. I found the pedal to lack , feeling mushy at first and grabby midway through.
The remote trunk release saves time fumbling with keys and the rear window defogger, tilt steering column and headrests are unexpected extra conveniences. Take away the nifty options and new styling, and the hevy Aveo has improved little from the first-generation car. The Inside Despite its small exterior dimensions, the Chevrolet Aveo's cabin has an open feel to it. The outboard seats are still more comfortable, but the center seat is better than most. From a distance, its large headlights and cross-bar grille could be mistaken for a Chevy Cobalt, and the chrome-striped rear looks like a shrunken Malibu with Ford Fusion taillights. Steering is moderate, and is unimpressive. As to be expected from this category of car, some tire, wind and engine noise is par for the course.