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2009 Chevrolet Aveo Features Review

July 3, 2009

FEATURES | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the Aveo5 only makes sense as stripped down, no-nonsense transportation
Automobile Magazine

the Aveo gets a revised driver-information center
Car and Driver

the atrociously orange wood trim shatters any illusion of civility quickly
MyRide.com

There are three trim levels available for both the sedan and hatchback versions of the Aveo. The price for either model with the trim level is the same, leaving the purchasing decision based solely on body type.

Automobile Magazine says, “The Aveo5 only makes sense as stripped down, no-nonsense transportation. Whereas there's a certain quirky logic to paying $18,000 for a loaded Fit, it's almost impossible to see why someone would pay more than $14,000 for an Aveo.”

For 2009, “The Aveo gets a revised driver-information center that now shows outside temperature and fuel economy. GM’s OnStar system is now standard, along with an auxiliary input jack on all radios. XM satellite radio is now available, as are new five-spoke aluminum 15-inch wheels,” reports Car and Driver.

The base LS includes standard side airbags, variable intermittent windshield wipers, a tilting steering wheel, and a stereo with an audio input jack. To get air conditioning requires a $1,000 price increase and upgrading to the 1LT model. Options for this model include power accessories and anti-lock brakes. Says Car and Driver, “Choosing an auto-equipped 1LT makes the most sense if you plan to use the Aveo as a no-frills commuter vehicle, providing, as it does, an acceptable level of comfort.”

For about $16,000 you can get the 2LT model. “The 2LT comes with the 1LT's optional equipment and adds 15-inch wheels, front foglamps, a trip computer, upgraded cloth upholstery, heated power sideview mirrors and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls,” reports Edmunds.

“Our test car had air conditioning, a halfway-decent audio system, power windows and door locks, but manual outside mirrors. However, the tons of hard plastic, occasional shiny bit, odd contrasts between black and tan and the atrociously orange wood trim shatters any illusion of civility quickly,” remarks MyRide.com.

Conclusion

The 2009 Chevy Aveo is built to serve basic transportation needs, and it’s best to leave it that way by not adding expensive upgrades.

FEATURES | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:the Aveo5 only makes sense as stripped down, no-nonsense transportationAutomobile Magazinethe Aveo gets a revised driver-information centerCar and Driverthe atrociously orange wood trim shatters any illusion of civility quicklyMyRide.com There are three trim levels available for both the sedan and hatchback versions of the Aveo. The price for either model with the trim level is the same, leaving the purchasing decision based solely on body type. Automobile Magazine says, “The Aveo5 only makes sense as stripped down, no-nonsense transportation. Whereas there's a certain quirky logic to paying $18,000 for a loaded Fit, it's almost impossible to see why someone would pay more than $14,000 for an Aveo.” For 2009, “The Aveo gets a revised driver-information center that now shows outside temperature and fuel economy. GM’s OnStar system is now standard, along with an auxiliary input jack on all radios. XM satellite radio is now available, as are new five-spoke aluminum 15-inch wheels,” reports Car and Driver. The base LS includes standard side airbags, variable intermittent windshield wipers, a tilting steering wheel, and a stereo with an audio input jack. To get air conditioning requires a $1,000 price increase and upgrading to the 1LT model. Options for this model include power accessories and anti-lock brakes. Says Car and Driver, “Choosing an auto-equipped 1LT makes the most sense if you plan to use the Aveo as a no-frills commuter vehicle, providing, as it does, an acceptable level of comfort.” For about $16,000 you can get the 2LT model. “The 2LT comes with the 1LT's optional equipment and adds 15-inch wheels, front foglamps, a trip computer, upgraded cloth upholstery, heated power sideview mirrors and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls,” reports Edmunds. “Our test car had air conditioning, a halfway-decent audio system, power windows and door locks, but manual outside mirrors. However, the tons of hard plastic, occasional shiny bit, odd contrasts between black and tan and the atrociously orange wood trim shatters any illusion of civility quickly,” remarks MyRide.com. ConclusionThe 2009 Chevy Aveo is built to serve basic transportation needs, and it’s best to leave it that way by not adding expensive upgrades. 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO STYLING | [5 out of 10] Car and Driver: “available as a homely-looking sedan or an altogether more attractive five-door wagon” Automobile Magazine: "ungainly front fascia" MyRide.com: “the design is bland, but inoffensive” The 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 gets a facelift ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Priced at less than $13,000, including destination, the Aveo5 hatchback is one of the cheapest vehicles available in the United States. 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 they're 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.

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See the Chevrolet Aveo in Other Years:

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

Comments (3 total)

  1. By Jason #1, Posted: 8/8/2009

    My wife and I just purchased an Aveo last night. No frills, standard transmission, 4-door hatchback. It's simple, small, and for our purposes, absolutely perfect for what we need. It has reasonable acceleration, the brakes work great, even without the ABS, and the transmission shifts smoothly. It's definitely NOT any kind of sporty ride. I do agree that the gears are spaced too far apart, and yet it's also winding up rather higher rpms than what I would like to see at 70, but at the same time, this is an A-B car for my wife, and will do terrifically. It's quiet inside, and even with the windows rolled down, there isn't a huge amount of road noise. The wind inside the car with all windows down isn't too extravagant either. The fuel economy is something I will have to wait and see, as we have only put 100 miles on it so far, but I do know the gas needle hasn't moved hardly at all so far.
    Climbing mild grades it was able to maintain highway speed, but you would need to downshift if fully loaded or if going up a mountain pass. The handling is more than sufficient with a very small turning radius. We live out of town quite a ways, and the backroads we have to take are rather bumpy and curvy. The car handles them nicely, providing the smoothest ride I have ever had out of something so small. It's also not spongy, and doesn't lean out of corners. It's responsive, yet not too sporty. It's NOT a sports car, and doesn't even try to pretend to be (maybe my insurance will be lower!). But it's also not a "dog" on the road either, and will move where you ask it to without feeling like you're going to lose control. Plenty of room in the back to put groceries or basic work gear, also. One other thing, it actually feels solid for such a small car. I don't feel like I am truly in a "tin can" like I did in a Rio.
    Overall, I am very pleased with this car so far. For running to the store, or going back and forth to work, it's totally perfect. A relaxing ride, comfortable seating, and quiet motor that gets the job done with what appears so far to be quite good fuel economy, I couldn't ask for anything more for the price.
    P.S. This is also my first GM vehicle ever. I have driven many different ones over the years, but I have never been impressed by them, until now.

  2. By Doc #2, Posted: 9/4/2009

    I purchased my Aveo5 a couple of weeks ago. I am a musician and there is enough room in this little car for my 2 88-key keyboards, a 15 in pa speaker, power amp, suitcase with all my wires, music stand, Microphone stand, and my seat. It handles very nicely in the city and on the hwy, I am getting great gas mileage, it accelerates very well with or with out the equipment. I love this car.

  3. By just me #3, Posted: 9/30/2009

    I have a 2008 aveo LS. I HATE IT!. I swear I put more gas in it than my old 9 van. It is too small. Has no pick up. It's like a matchbox on wheels or better put a box on wheels. Today there was a recall on certain toyotas. I told my husband I wish they would recall my Aveo. I made a bad choice.

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