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2008 Chevrolet Aveo Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Bengt Halvorson's avatar Bengt Halvorson, EditorBengt Halvorson

While assembling this definitive review covering the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo sedan and Aveo5 hatchback models, TheCarConnection.com’s experts perused the range of available review information. Then, having driven the Aveo, the experienced reviewers at TheCarConnection.com brought their own impressions and insight to this review.

Likes:

  • Good interior comfort and a supple ride, for such a small car
  • Spacious cargo areas
  • Engine and road noise are well muted

Dislikes:

  • Disappointing fuel economy
  • Sluggish acceleration, especially with four-speed automatic
  • Touchy throttle teases you into thinking it has more power
  • Ponderous handling, considering its light weight
  • Iffy crash-test results and lack of safety features
  • Satellite radio isn’t available

Buying Tips:


If you only have $11,000 to spend on a new car but are concerned about the lack of features--and questionable crash protection--of the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, you might want to take a look at a three-year-old, four-cylinder mid-size sedan. Gas mileage will be almost as good, safety will likely be better, and you'll save money because you won't be the victim of first-year depreciation.

The 2008 Chevrolet Aveo is Chevy's cheapest model and one of the cheapest in the U.S. market, made by GM Daewoo in South Korea. The Aveo sedan was new for 2007; its bodywork and interior are different from the Aveo5 hatchback, which follows a more dated design.

Whether as a hatchback or sedan, the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo has a well-designed interior, with lots of passenger space for four full-size adults or three kids across the backseat. The tall body affords plenty of headroom or a boxlike cargo space with the seats folded. The sedan's 12.4-cubic-foot trunk is surprisingly roomy as well.

All 2008 Chevrolet Aveo models have a 103-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine that, from inside the cabin, is remarkably refined, but performance is barely adequate with the five-speed manual and sluggish with the four-speed automatic carrying anything but a light load and on level roads. The Aveo doesn't handle particularly well either; it's not confidence-inspiring in tight corners, possibly due to pronounced body lean.

The sedan is offered in both LS and LT trim levels, while the Aveo5 hatchback comes in an especially stripped-down SVM (Special Value) base model and an LS. Manual windows and mirrors are standard on both Aveo body styles, and air conditioning is not offered on the blue-light SVM. However, both versions of the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo include an AM/FM CD sound system. The LS model includes A/C and can be upgraded with anti-lock brakes, 15-inch wheels, cruise control, and an AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 capability.

Those concerned about safety should be especially aware of the Aveo's subpar results in side-impact protection. The Aveo5 hatchback was given a middling four-star rating in side impact, while the Aveo sedan got only three stars in rear-seat side protection. In the insurance-industry tests, an Aveo sedan was rated Acceptable in frontal protection, Marginal in side protection, and Poor in the seat-based rear impact tests. Side-impact airbags are standard on the Aveo and Aveo5, but electronic stability control isn't in the cards, and anti-lock brakes are optional (not offered on the SVM).

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, also consider:

Reason Why:

Priced at less than $11,000, including destination, for the SVM hatchback model, the Aveo5 is one of the cheapest vehicles available in the U.S., although base models of the Rio, Accent, and Yaris are in the same price range. The Rio and Accent, which are mechanically related to each other don't feel quite as roomy, are much more fun to drive than the Aveo, although they have a bit more engine noise from inside the cabin. The Fit and Yaris feel peppy, light, and nimble on the road, though both can also be noisy inside. The Yaris hatchback is quite tight on passenger space, while the Fit is cavernous and has an innovative Magic Seat arrangement, along with best-in-class safety. Of them all, the Versa drives most like a larger vehicle, in a positive sense, with a smooth, settled ride on the highway, as well as a roomy interior. Nearly all of these vehicles get better fuel economy than the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Chevrolet Aveo has a bargain-basement price, and with the exception of good interior comfort, you get what you pay for.

While assembling this definitive review covering the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo sedan and Aveo5 hatchback models, TheCarConnection.com’s experts perused the range of available review information. Then, having driven the Aveo, the experienced reviewers at TheCarConnection.com brought their own impressions and insight to this review. Likes:Good interior comfort and a supple ride, for such a small carSpacious cargo areasEngine and road noise are well mutedDislikes:Disappointing fuel economySluggish acceleration, especially with four-speed automaticTouchy throttle teases you into thinking it has more powerPonderous handling, considering its light weightIffy crash-test results and lack of safety featuresSatellite radio isn’t availableBuying Tips: If you only have $11,000 to spend on a new car but are concerned about the lack of features--and questionable crash protection--of the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, you might want to take a look at a three-year-old, four-cylinder mid-size sedan. Gas mileage will be almost as good, safety will likely be better, and you'll save money because you won't be the victim of first-year depreciation. The 2008 Chevrolet Aveo is Chevy's cheapest model and one of the cheapest in the U.S. market, made by GM Daewoo in South Korea. The Aveo sedan was new for 2007; its bodywork and interior are different from the Aveo5 hatchback, which follows a more dated design. Whether as a hatchback or sedan, the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo has a well-designed interior, with lots of passenger space for four full-size adults or three kids across the backseat. The tall body affords plenty of headroom or a boxlike cargo space with the seats folded. The sedan's 12.4-cubic-foot trunk is surprisingly roomy as well. All 2008 Chevrolet Aveo models have a 103-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine that, from inside the cabin, is remarkably refined, but performance is barely adequate with the five-speed manual and sluggish with the four-speed automatic carrying anything but a light load and on level roads. The Aveo doesn't handle particularly well either; it's not confidence-inspiring in tight corners, possibly due to pronounced body lean. The sedan is offered in both LS and LT trim levels, while the Aveo5 hatchback comes in an especially stripped-down SVM (Special Value) base model and an LS. Manual windows and mirrors are standard on both Aveo body styles, and air conditioning is not offered on the blue-light SVM. However, both versions of the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo include an AM/FM CD sound system. The LS model includes A/C and can be upgraded with anti-lock brakes, 15-inch wheels, cruise control, and an AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 capability. Those concerned about safety should be especially aware of the Aveo's subpar results in side-impact protection. The Aveo5 hatchback was given a middling four-star rating in side impact, while the Aveo sedan got only three stars in rear-seat side protection. In the insurance-industry tests, an Aveo sedan was rated Acceptable in frontal protection, Marginal in side protection, and Poor in the seat-based rear impact tests. Side-impact airbags are standard on the Aveo and Aveo5, but electronic stability control isn't in the cards, and anti-lock brakes are optional (not offered on the SVM). Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, also consider:Kia RioHonda FitHyundai AccentNissan VersaToyota YarisReason Why:Priced at less than $11,000, including destination, for the SVM hatchback model, the Aveo5 is one of the cheapest vehicles available in the U.S., although base models of the Rio, Accent, and Yaris are in the same price range. The Rio and Accent, which are mechanically related to each other don't feel quite as roomy, are much more fun to drive than the Aveo, although they have a bit more engine noise from inside the cabin. The Fit and Yaris feel peppy, light, and nimble on the road, though both can also be noisy inside. The Yaris hatchback is quite tight on passenger space, while the Fit is cavernous and has an innovative Magic Seat arrangement, along with best-in-class safety. Of them all, the Versa drives most like a larger vehicle, in a positive sense, with a smooth, settled ride on the highway, as well as a roomy interior. Nearly all of these vehicles get better fuel economy than the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Chevrolet Aveo has a bargain-basement price, and with the exception of good interior comfort, you get what you pay for. While assembling this definitive review covering the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo sedan and Aveo5 hatchback models, TheCarConnection.com’s experts perused the range of available review information. Then, having driven the Aveo, the experienced reviewers at TheCarConnection.com brought their own ...

Other Choices:

Priced at less than $11,000, including destination, for the SVM hatchback model, the Aveo5 is one of the cheapest vehicles available in the U.S., although base models of the Rio, Accent, and Yaris are in the same price range. The Rio and Accent, which are mechanically related to each other don't feel quite as roomy, are much more fun to drive than the Aveo, although they have a bit more engine noise from inside the cabin. The Fit and Yaris feel peppy, light, and nimble on the road, though both can also be noisy inside. The Yaris hatchback is quite tight on passenger space, while the Fit is cavernous and has an innovative Magic Seat arrangement, along with best-in-class safety. Of them all, the Versa drives most like a larger vehicle, in a positive sense, with a smooth, settled ride on the highway, as well as a roomy interior. Nearly all of these vehicles get better fuel economy than the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo near you

See the Chevrolet Aveo in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

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