Filed under: Car Buying, Economy, Hatchbacks, Chevrolet, Carsumer Advocacy
Oh snap! Consumer Reports rips Aveo a new one
Click above for high-res gallery of the Chevy Aveo
Consumer Reports isn't known for completely trashing cars in its reviews. In fact, the publication is more often criticized for going too easy on them and finding something to like in everything that passes through the CR garage. But dang if they didn't just tear apart the 2008 Chevy Aveo sedan, going so far as to say its big-bro Cobalt is an all-around better car and better deal for bargain shoppers. They cite Cobalt's comparable fuel economy, better handling, quieter more refined interior and, after discounts, better price.
The magazine calls the Aveo a "miserable little car" and, since they couldn't find the name "Aveo" anywhere in the car's interior, thinks GM might think so, too. CR says its readers certainly thought the Aveo was miserable, rating the hatchback and sedan variants at the very bottom of their classes.
Worse than the Cobalt? Ouch. We tested the 2007 model and gave it a resounding score of "eh." Any Aveo owners out there who want to defend their little Korean cars' reputation? Anyone?
Gallery: Autoblog Garage - 2007 Chevy Aveo
[Source: Consumer Reports]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
TriShield 6:02PM (6/18/2008)
CU has pretty much always told it like it is when it comes to every kind of car with their classicly sterile but thorough evaluation and writing style.
I don't think we needed their confirmation to know that the Aveo is a little penalty box.
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Aprime 11:53PM (6/18/2008)
To quote someone on page 3
"Now hang on a minute...yes, the Aveo is a miserable little car. But what CR (and autoblog) failed to mention is that the Toyota Yaris HB and Suzuki Forenza automatic tied it at the bottom of their ratings with a score of 36."
why not the LS2LS7? 6:02AM (6/19/2008)
That's ridiculous. When CU blasts a car people actually like, people accuse them of rating cars like you'd rate a microwave oven.
They have a long history of putting out occasional weird ratings on cars. Not saying the Aveo one isn't deserved, but just that saying CU is well-respected in the auto community is off base.
Mike 2:25AM (6/20/2008)
I absolutely love that your Icon is " The Stig" Go Top Gear!!!
MastrCake 6:03PM (6/18/2008)
Jeez... Well, the Cobalt sucked in their issue, too. Can't even be recommended, despite it's good reliability.
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psarhjinian 2:43PM (6/19/2008)
Same for the Yaris. This is nothing at all new in CR's ratings: a car can be reliable and thoroughly poor (Yaris) or exceedingly competent but not statistically reliable (the first two years of the Ford Focus, anything from VW).
J Benjamin 6:00PM (6/14/2009)
um.....CR is the worst thing to listen to when it comes to cars. its ratings is biased and faulty! and i am sorry after testing all the small b-segment cars out there the aveo is the next best thing to a honda fit. the interior is quite classy and it has lots of headroom and now it has upgraded to the ecotec engine for a contemporary low cost maintenance powertrain. i have to admit, i almost went in to buy an aveo (2009) when i saw how low priced it was with all the bells and whistles and the fake leather like what you get in a BMW.
Richard Warren 6:10PM (6/18/2008)
"The driver need not be unduly concerned with the cars handling"
Consumer Reports, 1960 Corvair
"It's a great little car highly recommend"
Consumer Reports, Austin America "Best Buy"
Ever do a recall test on the "best products"
CR is joke, has been, will continue to be.
As to the Aveo, it's an econobox, what do you expect?
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geo.stewart 9:54PM (6/18/2008)
well the reasoning is sound. When I looked at the two while at a dealer, the sticker difference was around 1K-1.5K and comparable fuel economy.
TO BE FAIR, the same can typically be said of this class, the Yaris, the Versa, the Fit. basically same price, same fuel economy,
That One Person 6:13AM (6/19/2008)
You know what? There were a lot of groups, publications, etc. that did testing on the Corvair and concluded it was no less safer than the Porsche 911s and various other rear engined vehicles of the day.
Ralph Nader was/is a moron.
But I agree with your thoughts of CR.
Shawn 8:42AM (6/19/2008)
I agree, NHTSA, or its 1970s analog, did comprehensive tests on the Corvair after its production was halted, it was fine. Ralph Nader was/is a moron.
That being said, there was some concern when the tires were incorrectly inflated, but GM told people to put less air pressure in the rear tires, if people/garages put in equal pressures than its their fault!
stratojet 8:43AM (6/19/2008)
CR may be a Joke, but they have an enomous amount of influence on the Manufacturers. I am of the opinion that pretty soon, a manufacturer will sue them since they have nothing to loose anymore
1337 10:43AM (6/19/2008)
Geo,
Not all small cars have the same fuel economy. In fact, Consumer Reports found that the Aveo LT sedan managed only 25 combined MPG, while the larger, more practical Toyota Corolla got 32 MPG. Also, while the Aveo Sedan and the Yaris Hatchback both scored too low to be recommended, the Yaris still managed 33 MPG.
The Aveo is absolutely rotten, and it doesn't even have good MPG as a redeeming trait.
mikeloc 8:54PM (6/19/2008)
let us not forget that nadir hated the independent rear suspension, just like the car you now drive. turned out that the corvair was unfairly picked on, great mileage and all. what mileage wouldwe be getting without nadir? perhaps 40 in town, 60 on the road.
Ron Beyer 9:01PM (6/19/2008)
Along the same lines, Motor Trend named the Chevy Vega "Car of the Year" when it was introduced in '70 or '71.
Mc EDhan 11:12PM (6/19/2008)
drove a corvair from MA to CO nonstop great tripit was in 67 or 68?
MachinaDC5 6:11PM (6/18/2008)
ABS is an option on the Aveo? That's kind of sad but also kind of cool. I like it when everything's an option. If it were the case I'd have no stereo, A/C, and ABS in my cars.
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Aprime 6:11PM (6/18/2008)
Owner here.
Nicer looking than a Cobalt (subjective).
Was much less expensive for me to buy.
Better fuel economy (pre-XFE).
Superior interior.
Aside from that? Well, mine's an electrical nightmare, but lemons happen.
I've always thought it was an honest little bugger, it doesn't pretend it's more than it actually is and doesn't feel completely disconnected from the driver, unlike the Yaris. If you want to disagree with me over that one, drive it on a dirt road, and I'm not referring to the kind shown in the review pictures of Autoblog, I'm talking about your typical farmland dirtroad or something along those lines - drive it at fair speeds. I've never been so fearful in a car before, and my girlfriend at the time was able to confirm my feeling, while the Aveo felt grippy and adequate. I use dirt roads to expose drive problems with a car, and so far it's proven to be a great way to do it.
Admittedly it drives just like the Aveo in the City, but it feels slightly more awkward, but I believe that's due to the seating position.
The 08 is definitely bottom of the pile, but it's proven to be reliable among buyers and delivers good fuel economy provided you're not pushy with it, as the E-TEC II is an ass of an engine. The 09 should correct that, while at the same time reducing insurance premiums due to it being Mexican-built now.
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1337 10:45AM (6/19/2008)
You actually paid money for an Aveo? Wow...just wow.
Matt Keller 9:23PM (6/19/2008)
If you can get one loaded, its actually a pretty nice car. The interior is very inviting with the leatherette and the faux wood. I've sat in it, and I thought it was ok. Better than the '06 Cobalt Coupe my father rented. Neither of them warrant a 36. CR needs to grade on a scale here. Use a standard for every class.