Review of the new Chevrolet Aveo - Long Term Test

The latest addition to our long term test fleet is one of the most interesting. Chevrolet's Aveo aims to bring a dash of style and aggression to the budget end of the British supermini market, something it sorely needs. And in its first few weeks in our hands, the signs are encouraging.

Chevrolet knows a thing or two about superminis. Its first generation Aveo was, after all, one of North America's best selling cars. We knew that car as the Kalos but now it too bears the Aveo name and carries with it high UK dealer hopes that some of the American sales magic will have rubbed off with the change of name.

Of course, this model won't be challenging the supermini market leaders here in terms of sales but it should develop a useful market niche for Chevrolet amongst those in search of a smart, sassy-looking small car offered at a more affordable price than most of its rivals.

True, this model borrows much from the old Kalos, but you wouldn't know that to look at an Aveo. "It looks quite smart", was my wife Katie's opening comment, before she got on with the job of shoe-horning in a childseat, a booster cushion and a pushchair. When asked to guess at the car's likely price, she suggested a figure of around £10,000. Not a bad try as it happens, but very wrong. Aveos start at around £8,000.

My test car doesn't, unfortunately, but that's only because I couldn't resist the top of the range 1.4 five-door LT model. Mind you, that still only costs around £10,500 - the cost of a pretty bog standard version in other manufacturers' supermini ranges. Chevrolet only offers petrol power with this car, a choice of an 84bhp 1.2-litre unit or the 100bhp 1.4-litre powerplant that I'm trying. The 1.2-litre will get to 60mph in 12.8 seconds and run on to a top speed of 106 mph. If this isn't enough, the 1.4 is usefully quicker, topping out at 109mph and hitting 60 in 11 9 seconds.

The 1.4-litre is a notably more complex engine, with four valves per cylinder and DCVP (Double Continuous Variable Cam Phase) that helps to boost torque at lower revs and power at higher engine speeds. Visibility out of the Aveo is very good, although larger drivers on our test team have found that the dashboard moulding intrudes on legroom a little. Both engines are decent units but the added motorway refinement of the 1.4-litre powerplant is what swung the balance for us when we were selecting our model for test.

"As a compromise between budget, ability and badge equity, this Chevrolet more than makes a case for itself..."

With two engines and three and five door body styles to choose from, Aveo customers also benefit from a decent level of standard kit. "Plenty of car and equipment for a fair price" is part of Chevrolet's corporate philosophy and the entry-level Aveo adheres to that maxim with driver and passenger airbags, an MP3-compatible CD stereo and wipers with intermittent facility. Plusher trim levels add tinted glass and electric front windows. Options (most of which we've gone for on our test car) include 15-inch aluminium wheels, leather trim for the steering wheel and gear knob, an onboard computer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and automatic climate control.

I'd say that the interior lacks the self-assurance of the exterior and, rather inevitably in this corner of the market, feels somewhat built down to a price. The same can be said of some of the Aveo's key rivals though and Chevrolet has specified and trimmed the interior wisely, giving it a sensible equipment count, fairly decent materials and as much space and versatility as the design constraints allow. It's not the biggest car in its sector, but the compact torsion beam rear suspension means that there's plenty of useable room in the back.

The Aveo campaigns on the basis of solid value for money, so it's no great surprise to hear that running costs are screwed tightly down. It might surprise you that there's no diesel model, given that the GM group has some great diesel engines at its disposal, but it would be tough to make the additional cost of a diesel version worthwhile to the typically hard-headed Aveo customer. As it stands, the 1.2-litre model will return 51.7mpg which is good and emit 132g/km of carbon dioxide. The 1.4-litre variant we've got, on the other hand, sups at a rate of 44.4mpg (a figure we've managed to nearly replicate), with CO2 emissions of 142g/km.

Depreciation is key to the running costs of a car like this, though in the Aveo's case, it's too early to say exactly how things will pan out. It's likely to be around the class average. Buyers recognise good value when they see it and the Chevrolet badge carries a little more brand equity than many other budget brands. You also get very cheap insurance, ranging from Group 3 to Group 5.

True, the Aveo is an evolutionary rather than revolutionary car. But if evolution equates to affordability, then many budget-minded supermini buyers will happily take it. As a compromise between budget, ability and badge equity, this Chevrolet more than makes a case for itself.

Sure, there are more cutting edge superminis you could buy (though few that look smarter). But they all cost substantially more. Wouldn't it make more sense to buy an Aveo, enjoy the envious glances and spend the difference on something practical like an extra secondhand runabout for the family perhaps? I know which I'd rather..

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Chevrolet Aveo 1.4 LT 5dr Auto Hatchback
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