2009 Chevrolet Aveo Review Green Cove Springs FL

At TheCarConnection.com, we have small car experts that have driven both body styles of the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo to compile this road test. This review also compares the 2009 Chevy Aveo and Aveo5 with the best competitors in its class. On top of this research, we reviewed reports from a range of respected automotive Web sites to give you a complete package of information to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

Likes
Good front headroom
Solid build quality
Peppy performance with manual transmission
Supple ride for a sub-compact
Practical hatchback with Aveo5

Dislikes
Ride at Interstate speeds
Radio doesn't have tuning knob
Sedan's iffy crash test results

The 2009 Chevrolet Aveo is one of the least expensive vehicles you can buy in the U.S. It's a front-wheel-drive sub-compact that's available in two body styles; the Aveo sedan and the new-for-2009 Aveo5 hatchback . With the specter of high gas prices looming over American drivers, the efficient and generally competent 2009 Chevy Aveo should be among the small cars on anyone's shopping list.

Available in base, LS, and LT versions, the Aveo5 arrives wearing new sheet metal with a more sophisticated look than the previous version (the Aveo four-door sedan was renewed in 2008). Built in South Korea by GM Daewoo , the Aveos carries Chevrolet's new signature front-end styling, with a gold Chevy bow framed by a larger grille. Larger taillamps and an available rear spoiler dress up the basic econobox. Our editors took umbrage at the side vent in the Aveo5's front fender, thinking it a silly gewgaw. Curiously, the vent is absent on the sedan.

Inside, the cabin has five seat belts, and after putting some miles on several Aveo models, one could plan on using four of those belts without too much complaining from the second row. Seating three in the back would be tight, however. The rear bench has theater-style seating (for better exterior visibility) and a 60/40 split for cargo flexibility. Better interior materials arrived for 2009, including optional woodgrain, metallic, and carbon-fiber-look trim on the options list. Storage and convenience bins are found all over the interior, and some higher-end features like cruise control, XM and a large sunroof are also optional. Cars from General Motors often have one of the best XM radio set ups, but the Aveo's radio controls are missing a tuning knob found on most other GM vehicles, and a loss of convenience is the result.

The 2009 Chevrolet Aveo and Aveo5 use identical engines, transmissions and chassis components. EPA mileage for the pair is 27/34 mpg for models with a five-speed manual transmission and 25/34 mpg for those with a four-speed automatic. The engine is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 106 horsepower and 106 pound-feet of torque. Expect about 400 miles per tank. In terms of running gear, the Aveo is strictly by-the-numbers Asian economy car: MacPherson struts, a torsion-beam rear, and a short 97.7-inch wheelbase. Fourteen-inch wheels are standard, while 15-inchers (and anti-lock brakes) are optional. Around town, the ride is good enough, but over 70 mph, the car gets nervous feeling; certainly not dangerous, but just not pleasant.

Regarding safety, the 2009 Aveo includes front and side airbags, but ABS remains optional. We did like the height-adjustable front shoulder belts because of the extra comfort they provided. Scores for the Aveo5 in federal crash tests are dual five-star for frontal impacts and dual four-star for side impacts. The Aveo sedan fared less well, loosing one star each for the passengers in front and side impacts. In IIHS tests, the insurance institute rate the Aveo's offset frontal-impact performance as Acceptable and side-impact as Marginal. On the plus side, GM's OnStar is also standard, offering an extra measure of safety not found in other competitors.

Most low-priced cars today come equipped with "the basics" and then some. For instance, on the base Aveo LS (and Aveo5 LS), tilt steering wheel, rear-window defroster, AM/FM audio system with an aux. input jack for an iPod or other device, intermittent windshield wipers, and OnStar is standard. The 1LT packages add air conditioning and a CD player to the audio system. The 2LT package adds more, including cruise control, power heated outside rearview mirrors, XM Satellite radio, and remote keyless entry. Larger wheels (15-inch up from 14-inch) are also standard on the 2LT-equipped cars. Chevrolet also backs it the 2009 Aveo with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, plus a five-year/100,000-mile warranty on the powertrain.

The Bottom Line: If most of your driving is around town with little interstate travel, the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo and Aveo5 are worth a look, especially if you want a bow tie out front.

Other Choices
If you're interested in the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo, also consider:

- Honda Fit
- Kia Rio
- Hyundai Accent
- Toyota Yaris
- Nissan Versa

Reason Why:
Priced at less than $13,000, including destination, for the hatchback model, the Aveo5 is one of the cheapest vehicles available in the U.S. Out of all these competitors, the Nissan Versa drives and feels most like a larger vehicle, in a positive sense, with a smooth, settled ride on the highway, as well as a roomy interior. Our next favorite would be the Honda Fit because of its sporty driving character, cavernous interior, Magic Seat arrangement, and best in class safety. Base models of the Kia Rio , Hyundai Accent , and Toyota Yaris are in the same price range. The Rio and Accent (mechanically related to each other) don't feel as roomy. The Yaris is smaller inside, too. The Korean pair is much more fun to drive than the Aveo but not as refined because of their stiffer ride and noisier engines. Nearly all of these vehicles get better fuel economy than the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo.

Buying Tip
Cars like the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo depreciate quickly, so it's financially unwise to load them up with options, as you'll gain little if anything back when you go to sell.

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