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With cars, first impressions carry a lot of influence. Bad first impression? Then it's on to the next candidate. But when a car connects at that first meeting, you're inclined to hang around a bit to see what else it has to offer. And so goes the story of my time with the Chevy Aveo.
The Aveo arrived after we spent a week with the luxurious and capable Cadillac SRX. To say that personally-held expectations regarding the rebadged Daewoo were low would be understating the matter. The previous generation, despite being a strong seller for GM, was stylistically uninspiring, and it would not have been the least bit surprising to find more of the same in the new one. Upon taking delivery of Autoblog's shiny blue loaner, we were taken aback. The Aveo, you see, makes quite a good first impression.
Make no mistake: this is not a car that will floor you with avant-garde looks. That said, the restyling it has undergone for the 2007 model year is very effective. The bland anonymity of the 1st-gen Aveo has been replaced by a new look that clearly and effectively defines it as a Chevy. The redesigned front end is quite good-looking -- particularly when you compare it to other cars in the econobox/sedan segment. It's definitely more attractive than its hometown (remember, the Aveo's Korean) rival, the Hyundai Accent. A chrome split-bar grille wears a prominent bowtie, clearly establishing the Aveo as a Chevy. Large headlights that sport a familial shape (think Cobalt) flank it, and the rest of the fascia is an all-body-color affair that ends with three cutouts below the bumper. The two on either end house fog/driving lights, a $110 option on our Aveo LT.
Continuing the walkaround, the car's side profile is pretty generic. Bulging wheel flares and an accent line that runs along the upper part of the body from the headlights to the taillamps help keep the car from looking overly slab-sided despite its high beltline. A second line runs along the lower half of the doors. There's no rub strip, interestingly enough. Cheap-looking black plastic inserts take the place of proper glass in the after portion of the rear windows, and the car's 15-inch five-spoke alloys look tiny against the rest of the body. The car's thick C-pillar extends deep into the rear decklid, and the tail end of the Aveo is dominated by a pair of oversized, tunerrific Altezza-style clear lamps, which are connected by a chrome accent strip like the ones seen on the rumps of numerous other Chevrolets. 
Opening the door to inspect the Aveo's interior is another eyebrow-raising experience. The test car was outfitted with a very pleasant-looking tan cabin. The seats, upholstered with perforated leatherette faux hides (a $250 option), included a folding armrest for the driver. The leatherette made them look more expensive than they actually were, and the neutral color is also used on the doors and lower part of the dashboard. Woodgrain inserts act as a bridge from the lighter tone to the black plastic that make up the door panel tops and most of the dashboard. The instrument cluster is easy-to read and sensible, with semicircular units for the speedometer and tachometer, and smaller round fuel and temperature gauges set above and between them. The binnacle that surrounds it (as well as the rest of the upper dash surfaces) has a puckered, golf ball-like texture.
Audio and HVAC controls are a snap to use. Thoughtful touches include a flip-down eyeglass holder above the driver's window (this was immediately put to use). It should be noted that the eyeglass holder is flimsy-feeling (a small hinge is all that connects it to the roof), causing us to wonder what its lifespan will be under the rigors of daily use. Still, the interior's significantly more pleasant than we expected to see in a $15,000 car, and it keeps the Aveo from feeling like a total penalty box while you're sitting in rush hour traffic with the rest of the commuters.
Trunk space is rated at 12.4 cubic feet, and it seemed plenty spacious for a car of this size. It's got a bare-bones non-carpeted liner, and if you need to carry larger items, the rear seatbacks fold down to expose a good-sized pass-through to the interior of the car. As for other interior storage, it's lacking. There's the glove box, of course, but outside of that, you'll be relying on your pockets. There's no center console storage bin; instead, you make do with a shallow tray. The door pockets are pretty deep, though, and that's where we kept things like CDs and an MP3 player when not in use. The cupholders that pop out of the center stack are pathetic at best. Designed to hold shorter containers such as 12 oz. cans, they were useless for carrying the preferred travel coffee mug of your humble correspondent. Taller cups or bottles either resided at a dangerous angle, ready to fall out or spill at any moment (if they even fit in the first place). The back seat passengers get kind of shafted, too, as they're given a single cupholder at the trailing edge of the center console. That said, it's the best one in the car. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a reach from up front unless your name is Reed Richards.
In terms of comfort, front seat passengers are treated to plenty of headroom, a commodity that is curiously lacking in back, despite the car's tall-roof look. Forward seating is comfortable enough, but don't expect much in the way of lateral support. Moving to row two, both my father and I, neither of whom is in danger of cracking an NBA lineup, found that if we placed ourselves flush to the rear seat's backrest, our heads brushed the downward slope of the roof. My father also commented that he felt like the back seat's angle was too upright, though I must admit I didn't have a big issue with it. There was no serious problem with legroom behind the driver's seat, which was set to accommodate my 5' 9" frame, but I could see where things might get dicey for taller passengers (or folks sitting behind a taller driver).
Twist the ignition key and the 1.6L Ecotec buzzes to life. Rated at 103 horsepower, it's perfectly adequate for grocery-getter duty, and as a highway commuter it does fine, just don't expect any kind of stirring performance whatsoever. Multiple publications that have done instrumented testing on the new Aveo rate its 0-60 times at 11 seconds and change, and based on Autoblog's sophisticated seat-of-the-pants test regimen, that sounds right. Long on-ramps are your friend, as the Aveo carries on with great clamor and fury as the 1.6 winds itself up to highway speeds with very little in terms of rapid forward motion to show for it. Once it hits that pace, however, it handles highway duty in a businesslike, unexciting manner. Don't expect much, and you'll have no problem. 
The same goes for the car's handling characteristics. It's quite responsive in local and highway driving, and speaking honestly, it's doubtful that the Aveo buyer is going to be actively exploring the car's dynamic limits. One thing our car wasn't equipped with that we'd gladly pony up the extra $400 for is ABS. It just seems like a no-brainer, and we'd happily forego things like the foglamps and leatherette seats to defray the additional cost if that's what it boiled down to. Over the full tank we went through during its time with us, the Aveo averaged right around 25 miles per gallon. It's EPA rating is 26/34, so the 25 we observed was actually a bit disappointing. Take it with a grain of salt, of course, as it's just one tank over one week, but still: this is, above all else, an economy car, and we expected better.
So, in the end, how does the Aveo shape up? Among the crop of economy sedans, it's pretty good-looking, quite well-equipped for the money ($15,025 as shown, including destination), and has good trunkspace. It's no great performer, but it's still a capable everyday runabout. Perhaps the biggest knock against the Aveo is that it's simply not very memorable. For many people shopping for basic transportation, this is most likely irrelevant. For us, it matters, and so despite the positive first impressions it made, the Aveo left us feeling indifferent at the end of the week. We didn't dislike it, but we didn't miss it when it left us, either.
All photos Copyright ©2007 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Mike G @ Mar 16th 2007 12:28AM
How can you tools defend this piece of crap daewoo?
Good lord, just pay the extra three grand and get a Honda Civic or Mazda 3, it's just going to be an extra thirty bucks on your monthly payment and you don't have to feel like a sad little clown every time you go somewhere.
Bob-omb @ Mar 16th 2007 3:43AM
Brian, I think you're the only person in the world to not get better gas mileage in a Civic than in an Aveo. And just be thankful you only had the Aveo for two years before it got wrecked. Do some research -- it still has the lowest owner satisfaction of any econocar on the market. Scads of quality problems.
Tom @ Mar 16th 2007 6:47AM
They make you pay extra for plastic seats?? And that orange fake wood on the dash is hideous.
I have to say since the very beginning when GM started marketing cars like the Chevette or Vega or Citation, they have always had the strange urge to talk about how their small cars look, feel and ride like large cars. Sorry, GM but you miss the point of small cars. I never wanted a small car that rides and handles like a large car and I would never want a small car to look like a hideous Buick on the inside.
Tom @ Mar 16th 2007 6:52AM
People will defend the relatively poor gas mileage of the Aveo by saying a more efficient engine and tranny would have cost more and that this is an economy car after all, but that line of thinking fails to mention that almost all other small cars in its class do get much, much better fuel economy.
I guess all those other companies are willing to put more effort into their cars and GM isn't.
Uncle Jed @ Mar 16th 2007 7:23AM
#21
I agree somewhat with your point about Japanese manufacturers buying materials & products in the U.S. (and contributing to the economy). At least with some, however, it's more likely that they're buying parts from transplant parts suppliers, with profits going to Japan. And, with Hyundai, it's even more likely, with an entrenched group of captive and family-owned suppliers.
I will say, however, that the impact of American workers making a fair wage in middle American communities might make up somewhat for that... As I've said to others with whom I've had this discussion, it's the economic/industrial version of Reagan's trickle down economics. If you have a problem with this, you should have a problem with that...
MrMorix @ Mar 16th 2007 7:47AM
Tom Castle,
No I am not flat wrong YOU just don't know what you are talking about. I did my research for a term paper about 6 months ago. If I can dig it up I will post my sources for "Why We Should Support American Automakers" furthermore the import companies don't pay certain state & local taxes that Americans companies pay.
dave @ Mar 16th 2007 11:17AM
In regards to 'why not the LS2/LS', would have to completely disagree. I owned an '02 lancer and have nothing but great things to say about it. I paid about $16,000 and had no problems at all in the first 100,000 miles. I laugh at all thsoe people who bought things like the American Ford Focus. And that junkheap is probably the only thing that would give the Aveo a run for crapiest new vehicle in america. I rented an Aveo for 2 weeks and it was the worst time I have ever had in a vehicle. I would have traded it an 83' excort with a broken seatbelt if I had the chance. If they wanted to discourage people from buying from an american car company make them drive this piece for 5 minutes.
I have very low expectations for cars. I have driven economy cars all my life, many in foriegn contries as well and this was the worst. It felt like I was sitting in a shopping cart powered by a lawnmower engine. I had to take turns really slow because the body roll was so bad. A few drop of rain make it sound like I was sitting in a pop can. And for anyone with a bad back, hitch a ride on school bus you will feel better. I wouldn't wish this car on my worst enemy.
And powerwheels have better plastic.
Even the radio got bad reception.
TSW @ Mar 16th 2007 2:07PM
iibbmm -
You're right, most people don't work on their own cars, and would rather have a warranty. I'm not disputing that at all, I was talking about ME. That's why I brought up MY car. What would possibly compel me to sell MY car for the Aveo?
"Cars in this class are intended for people who don't want to spend a lot on a car, but want a warranty and decent economy."
See, the problem with this point is the Aveo apparently gets terrible MPG for a subcompact. Usually, if you get poor MPG you get the side benefit of having load of power to have fun with - this sad little car has neither.
"I don't see any real negatives to the aveo and I still think comparing it to a 13 year old used bmw is pure idiocy."
Perhaps, then, you should read the article again - and take into account that comparing the Aveo to MY 13 year old car makes all the sense in the world to ME. It's my frame of reference, and it's a decent one.
Why is it, that in 13 years, after three or four generations of BMW engines passing, is the old M50 straight-six leaps and bounds more efficient that the powerplant of this 21st century car? There's no excuse.
whofan @ Mar 16th 2007 2:26PM
"See, the problem with this point is the Aveo apparently gets terrible MPG for a subcompact. Usually, if you get poor MPG you get the side benefit of having load of power to have fun with - this sad little car has neither."
We demand safty, emisson controls ect. Airbags roll over safty front crash test ratings.
All these things add weight to a car. If this car were built to 1985 standards it would probably get 34 mpg hwy. I do agree that the economy this cars gets should be better. My 1500 Silverado 4x4 extended cab gets 17 hwy. 8 MPG 32% difference. Why go small? A Chevy Impalla probably meets this car`s economy.
whofan @ Mar 16th 2007 5:12PM
Daewoo is GM. American owned!
gwballin @ Mar 16th 2007 5:21PM
MrMorix,
In your research I hope that you discovered that all of those "foreign" car manufactures Americans are buying cars from are in fact incorporated right here in the US. Does it really make that much of a difference who the shareholders are since in a global economy a publicly traded stock can be purchased by, you guessed it, the public regardless of nationality.
The state and local governments don't charge them taxes it is not because the "foreign" it is because they are trying to spark the local economy. That is just good policy.
I can assure you that as American corporations they are not off the hook for Federal Taxes.
MrMorix @ Mar 17th 2007 12:16PM
I'm not defending anyone, nor am I going to get into a pissing contest with any internet gangsters that hasn't done any research. I did my research and I stand behind it. I saying that I'm not guilty as anyone else on here as being a brand whore. When it comes down to it none of these corporations give a damn about anyone here only their bottom line. So if buying a Honda or Toyota gives you a warm and fuzzy go for it. For me, they are more like a wet noodle. As I said before in previous comments GM & Ford has put food on many of my family members table for years and for that I am loyal.
Devon @ Mar 18th 2007 10:56PM
The Aveo Sedan looks like a Mini Malibu Sedan. But I have to say that the styling of this car is very bland. The Aveo5 is more appealing that that, but they both don't have an engine nor the refinement like Honda/Toyota engines.
Rawbert @ Mar 19th 2007 10:58PM
I just bought my 07 Aveo LT and I love it. It does what I want it to do. I am 6'1" and I fit fine it it. Don't care to drink while driving, so I could care less about the cup holders. I have a right-side arm rest. I do not have fake wood trim, I have brushed metal trim with a nice stereo. I have plenty of truck space for my needs. and it's great for my friends and I to travel in.
I am a full time student and I can easily afford thi car and I have no complaints about it. Better than my Killed In Action REO which fell apart in a collision and the airbags didn't even activate.
Gerry @ Mar 23rd 2007 6:51PM
If GM takes a car built by Daewoo in Korea and then "rebadges" it as a Chevrolet, AND THEN advertises it as "AN AMERICAN REVOLUTION", AND THEN aside from the little Consumer Identification Tag some dealers prematurely remove, DON'T INFORM THEIR CUSTOMERS THEY ARE BUYING A KOREAN MADE DAEWOO AND NOT A DETROIT BUILT CHEVROLET, AND GET AWAY WITH IT, then I hope the GM corporate office is moved to Korea and buried there. I thought we were suppose to buy American!
ginger licot @ May 21st 2007 6:24PM
HELP! My 2007 Aveo is getting 17 - 21 mpg!!!! Chevy/GM won't do a thing to help me because they said their computer didn't scan anything wrong, although they admit that there is something amiss.
Have you heard of such bad mileage? What can I do short of getting an attorney. I have all my gas receipts and have filed a complaint with GM who sent me back to the dealerhip, who sent me back to GM.
ELEANOR @ Dec 16th 2007 8:39AM
JUST FOR EVERYONE'S INFO , I JUST BOUGHT A 2004 CHEVY AVEO HATCHBACK. I THINK IT IS WONDERFUL. IT IS SO CUTE AND ADORABLE , PRETTY QUICK AND GREAT ON GAS, AND GAS AT $3.40 A GALLON, I THINK IT IS WORTH IT. IT REMINDS ME OF THE MINI COOPER, SCION AND TOYOTA MATRIX , NONE OF WHICH I COULD AFFORD , EVEN USED. I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH GM WITH NO INTEREST OR FINANCE CHARGES FOR 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES, I HOPE IT IS RELIABLE , BECAUSE THIS CAR IS GREAT. DRIVES VERY NICE TOO. GOTTA LOVE IT
mrarmer @ Jun 19th 2008 8:47PM
i own a 97' Seville sls it gets 21city/26hwy great car cheap to maintain 32valve northstar engine. Power when you need it. But i would drive a Aveo. I dont drive very much. Point a to Point b as long as the a/c works