Acceleration

LS hatch, auto.	LS sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	LT sdn, auto.	Class Average
3	4	3	3	3

Hatchbacks and sedans are fairly brisk on takeoff and around town. They feel slightly quicker with the manual transmission, but no Aveo has enough power for swift highway passing. The manual has rubbery shift action, while the automatic often hesitates to kick down for passing.

Fuel Economy

LS hatch, auto.	LS sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	LT sdn, auto.	Class Average
7	7	7	7	8.2

In Consumer Guide testing, automatic-transmission sedans averaged 24.5-30.0 mpg. An automatic-transmission hatchback averaged 29.9 mpg. We've not had the opportunity to measure fuel economy of a manual-transmission model. Aveo uses regular-grade gas.

Ride Quality

LS hatch, auto.	LS sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	LT sdn, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	4.7

Impressively absorbent for a subcompact car on most bumps. Unlike with many small, light cars, only large, sharp bumps trigger pounding through the body structure. Aveo suffers only minor bobbing and pitching over irregular pavement.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LS hatch, auto.	LS sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	LT sdn, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	5.1

Aveo's petite size and responsive, if heavy, steering make for nimble low-speed moves. The brakes have good stopping control, but we recommend getting the optional ABS.

Quietness

LS hatch, auto.	LS sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	LT sdn, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4	4	4.1

Overall noise suppression is par for the class, but any Aveo suffers from marked engine, road, and tire noise.

Controls

LS hatch, auto.	LS sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	LT sdn, auto.	Class Average
4	5	5	5	5.6

The gauges are easy to read, and most controls are logically placed. The audio system is mounted within easy reach, but the hatchback's tiny buttons and knobs are difficult to manipulate while driving. Aveo sedans have a simpler audio deck with larger buttons. Sedans tested had an issue where audio volume settings were not retained between engine starts.

Details

LS hatch, auto.	LS sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	LT sdn, auto.	Class Average
3	4	4	4	4.6

Budget-grade plastics dominate the interior decor, but the sedan's materials are more pleasant.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LS hatch, auto.	LS sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	LT sdn, auto.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	5.5

Aveo's seats are comfortable and set a bit higher than in many entry-level cars. Driver positioning is aided by the standard height-adjustable seat and tilt wheel. There's good headroom, but tall folks might want more leg space. Visibility to the rear corners is hindered by thick roof pillars on the sedan. The hatchback's pillars are thinner.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LS hatch, auto.	LS sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	LT sdn, auto.	Class Average
3	3	3	3	3.1

Good headroom. Legroom is tight with the front seats set far back. The seat bottom is rather flat, but its high mounting means adults don't sit knees-up.

Cargo Room

LS hatch, auto.	LS sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	LT sdn, auto.	Class Average
7	3	3	3	4.5

Hatchback has room for just a row of grocery bags behind the rear seatbacks. They fold without removing the headrests, and the cushions flip forward to make a fairly flat load floor. The sedan's trunk is surprisingly spacious. Interior storage is meager, with small bins in the console and dash.

Value within Class

LS hatch, auto.	LS sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	LT sdn, auto.	Class Average
5	6	6	6	6.8

Aveo is imported from General Motors' South Korea manufacturing branch; cars built in that country have been mechanically trouble-free during our tests. The likable Aveo is surprisingly refined for its price and compares well with budget rivals Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio, though those cars come with curtain side airbags, an important safety feature this Chevrolet does not offer.

Total Score

LS hatch, auto.	LS sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	LT sdn, auto.	Class Average
51	51	50	50	55.2

Scores for all Subcompact Cars

Low Score		42
Average Score		55
High Score		63