2005 Chevrolet Aveo Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Chevrolet's entry-level car is among the smallest, least-expensive cars sold in the United States. Aveo comes as a 4-dr hatchback and as a slightly longer sedan. Both use a 103-hp 4-cyl engine with manual or optional automatic transmissions. Trim levels ascend from Special Value Model (SVM), to LS, to LT. All come with tilt steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat, and split folding rear seat. None offer side airbags. Optional ABS and standard air conditioning are exclusive to LS and LT. Alloy wheels and power windows/locks/heated mirrors are also standard for LT, which is the only model to offer a sunroof. For '05, SVM and LS models get restyled wheel covers, and all Aveos add black roof-pillar trim.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise the smallest passengers cars. These vehicles range from tiny economy models to slightly larger popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.

Our Best Buys include the Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix twins. Our Recommended picks include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Spectra, and Toyota Corolla.

News

Aveo will basically mark time through 2008, say our sources. Chevy doesn't make much money on these low-priced minicars, so it won't be spending for much more than minimal trim and color changes so long as sales hold up. No word on what happens to Aveo after '08.

2005 Chevrolet Aveo Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Acceleration

Maneuverability	Handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
3	2	4.1

Fairly brisk on takeoff and around town. Feels slightly quicker with manual transmission, but no Aveo has enough power for swift highway passing or short freeway on-ramps. Easy 70-mph cruising, though. Manual has rubbery shift action. Automatic often hesitates to kick down for passing. Engine smoother than most in this price range.

Fuel Economy

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
8	7	6.7

Test automatic-transmission LS hatchback averaged 29.9 mpg in near-even mix of city/highway driving. Expect slightly better with manual transmission. Chevy recommends regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
5	5	4.6

Impressively absorbent for a small car on most bumps. Some minor bobbing and pitching over irregular pavement.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
4	4	5.4

Petite size, responsive steering make for nimble low-speed moves. Body lean, noseplow increase rapidly with cornering speed. Both models tested had ABS and good stopping power, though one example suffered long, mushy brake-pedal travel.

Quietness

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4

All noise sources muffled fairly well, better than in many rivals. Unlike many small, light cars, only large, sharp bumps trigger pounding through Aveo's suspension, body structure.

Controls

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
4	4	5.5

Gauges easy to read. Low-mounted audio system a bit of a reach, and adjusting undersized climate controls can divert attention from road, but all controls are clearly marked.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5

Comfortable seats are softer than in many entry-level cars. Tall body allows seats to be set slightly higher, so drivers have good view of road. Driver positioning aided by standard height-adjustable seat, tilt wheel. Good head room, but tall folks might want more leg space. Visibility to rear corners hindered by thick roof pillars in sedan; hatchback's pillars are thinner.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
3	3	3.6

Good head room. Leg room tight with front seats more than halfway back. Seat rather flat, but high mounting means adults don't sit knees-up.

Cargo Room

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
2	6	3.9

Hatchback has room for just a row of grocery bags behind rear seatbacks. But those fold without removing headrests, and seats flip forward to make a fairly flat load floor. Sedan's trunk volume par for class, though lid hinges dip into load area. Sedan's rear headrests must be removed to fold seatbacks. Interior storage meager, with small bins in console and dash.

Value within Class

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
4	5	5.8

Chevrolet imports Aveo from its South Korean Daewoo subsidiary, and the car hasn't established a track record for reliability in the United States. We recommend that anyone shopping for a vehicle of this size consider a larger car from a more-established source. Given that, the likable Aveo is surprisingly refined for its price, and stacks up well against such budget rivals as the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio.

Total Score

LS sdn, man.	LS hatch, auto.	Class Average
42	45	48.6

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		34
Average Score		48
High Score		63

2005 Chevrolet Aveo Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 12/09/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

SVM 4-door sedan	$9,455	$8,935	$540

SVM 4-door hatchback	$9,455	$8,935	$540

LS 4-door sedan	$11,370	$10,631	$540

LS 4-door hatchback	$11,370	$10,631	$540

LT 4-door sedan	$12,640	$11,818	$540

LT 4-door hatchback	$12,865	$12,029	$540

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

SVM

Powertrain

1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release (sedan).

Comfort and Convenience Features

Power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, AM/FM radio, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, cargo cover (hatchback), rear defogger, rear wiper/washer (hatchback).

Appearance and Miscellaneous

185/60R14 tires, wheel covers.

LS adds to SVM:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, interior air filter, floormats.

LT adds to LS:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear spoiler (hatchback), alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Powertrain	Retail Price	Invoice Price
4-speed automatic transmission
LS, LT	$850	$765


Safety
Antilock brakes
LS, LT	$400	$360


Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
LT	$725	$653


AM/FM/CD/MP3 player
LS	$300	$270


Premium speakers
LT	$250	$225


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system
LT	$100	$90
Engine immobilizer.

Fog lights
LS, LT	$110	$99


Engine-block heater
LS, LT, SVM	$35	$32


Mud guards
LS, LT	$60	$54


Alloy wheels
LS	$375	$338

2005 Chevrolet Aveo Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Chevrolet Aveo 4-door hatchback	Chevrolet Aveo 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	97.6	97.6

Overall Length, in.	152.8	166.7

Overall Width, in.	65.8	65.7

Overall Height, in.	58.9	58.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	2348	2370

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	42.0	11.7

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	11.9	11.9

Seating Capacity	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.3	39.3

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.3	41.3

Rear Head Room, in.	37.6	37.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.4	35.4

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	1.6 /98

Horsepower @ rpm.	103 @ 6000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	107 @ 3600

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	27/35

4-speed automatic	26/34

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Chevrolet Aveo 4-door hatchback	Chevrolet Aveo 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	NA	5

Front Impact, Passenger	NA	5

Rollover Resistance	NA	4

Side Impact, Driver	NA	3

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	NA	3

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	5/60,000	Aveo and Cobalt only.

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: South Korea

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

Tester's Comments

(what's this?)

Vehicle Evaluated: 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
Trim Level: LS
Arrival Date: 09/26/2005
Engine: dohc I4
Bodystyle: 4-door sedan
Transmission: 5-speed manual
4WD/AWD: No
Base Price: $11,370
Price as Tested: $13,155
Mileage at Beginning of Test: 6220
Mileage at End of Test: 6822
Total Measured Miles:
Total Fuel Used: 20.54 gals.

Major Options: 4-Wheel Antilock Brakes, 14-inch Aluminum Wheels, AM/FM Stereo w/CD/MP3 Player, Fog Lamps, Mud Guards

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 29.31 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Mark Bilek At a touch over $13,000, the Aveo is the perfect city run-about. Nimble, fuel-efficient, and inexpensive. I'd probably opt for a size up on the tires and maybe a better radio, but otherwise a good value for those on a budget in search of basic transport.

Rick Cotta Aveo is a decent car for the money, with the added virtue that options are well-chosen and reasonably priced. Our tester's manual-transmission powertrain wasn't particularly happy in traffic; there was more jerking during shifts and 1st-gear crawling than most cars, enough so to make me recommend the automatic. Fuel economy isn't as impressive as it should be--we got about the same mileage in a Civic--but Aveo is a reasonable choice for budget-minded shoppers.

Tom Appel Without the alloy wheels, this prudently outfitted sedan runs about $12.5K...the same price as some Lexus option groups. If your looking for a frugal, nimble, absolute lowest-cost runabout, and you need a new car warranty, your car is here. To me, this is the perfect run-to-the-train station, Saturday errand machine.

< 2005 Chevrolet Aveo Photos

Also in the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo Review:

Chevrolet Aveo

Chevrolet Aveo Road Test

Chevrolet Aveo Prices & Equipment

Chevrolet Aveo Specs & Safety

Chevrolet Aveo Photos

Chevrolet Aveo Full Review

All Chevrolet Aveos

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