2008 Chevrolet Aveo Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

The 2008 Chevrolet Aveo gets no changes of note. Chevrolet's smallest car comes as a 4-door sedan or a 4-door hatchback called Aveo5. Sedans are available in LS and uplevel LT trims. Hatchbacks come in SVM and LS trims. The sole engine is a 103-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. It teams with a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission. Available safety equipment includes ABS and front side airbags. Newly optional on LS sedans are 15-inch tires. Note that a reskinned Aveo5 is due in calendar 2008 as a 2009 model.

Competition

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. The subcompact class is made up of the smallest hatchbacks, sedans, and wagons on the market. These are generally considered economy cars.

Our Best Buys include the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, and Suzuki SX4. Our Recommended pick is the Honda Fit.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Scion xD and Smart ForTwo.

News

There's talk of a full redesign for 2009 Aveos. Whenever it appears, the makeover shouldn't stray far from today's Aveo in terms of dimensions and powertrain. We give the hatchback a 50/50 chance of continuing.

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2008 Chevrolet Aveo Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Acceleration

Maneuverability	Handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

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

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2008 Chevrolet Aveo Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 01/03/2008

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

SVM 4-door hatchback	$10,235	$9,672	$660

LS 4-door sedan	$12,170	$11,501	$660

LS 4-door hatchback	$12,020	$11,359	$660

LT 4-door sedan	$13,920	$13,154	$660

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

Model	Rebate & Incentives	Type	Expires

Aveo	$500 cash back or 5.9%-6.9% financing.	Customer	07/31/08

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, front side airbags, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, driver-seat height and lumbar adjustment, center console, split folding rear seat, AM/FM radio, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, cargo cover (hatchback), rear defogger, rear wiper/washer (hatchback).

Appearance and Miscellaneous

185/60R14 tires, wheel covers.

LS adds to SVM:

Safety

Emergency inside trunklid release (sedan).

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, interior air filter, digital-media player connection (sedan).

LT adds to LS:

Comfort and Convenience Features

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

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, 185/55R15 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Power Pkg.
LS	$425	$374
Power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, alarm.

Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission
LS, LT	$925	$814


Safety
Antilock brakes
LS, LT	$400	$352


Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning Provisions
SVM	$50	$44


Cruise control
LS	$250	$220


Power sunroof
LS hatchback, LT	$725	$638


AM/FM/CD/MP3 player
LS	$325	$286
Includes upgraded sound system.

AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer
LT	$250	$220


Steering wheel radio controls
LS hatchback, LT	$75	$66


Vinyl upholstery
LS sedan, LT	$250	$220


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system
LT	$100	$88
Engine immobilizer.

Fog lights
LS	$110	$97


Rear spoiler
LS, LT	$225	$198


Engine-block heater
LS, LT, SVM	$75	$66


Mud guards
LT	$60	$53


Alloy wheels
LS	$475	$418
Includes 185/55R15 tires.

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2008 Chevrolet Aveo Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Chevrolet Aveo5 4-door hatchback	Chevrolet Aveo 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	97.6	97.6

Overall Length, in.	152.7	169.7

Overall Width, in.	65.7	67.3

Overall Height, in.	58.8	59.2

Curb Weight, lbs.	2348	2531

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	42.0	12.4

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.	37.3	37.4

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 @ 5800

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	107 @ 3400

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	24/34

4-speed automatic	23/32

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 Aveo5 4-door hatchback	Chevrolet Aveo 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	5	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5	4

Rollover Resistance	4	4

Side Impact, Driver	4	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4	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	5/100,000	--

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

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	5/100,000	--

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

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Also in the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo Review:

Chevrolet Aveo

Chevrolet Aveo Road Test

Chevrolet Aveo Prices & Equipment

Chevrolet Aveo Specs & Safety

Chevrolet Aveo Photos