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2009 Chevrolet Aveo Quality Review

July 3, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

subpar in most respects to the big three of the subcompact world
MyRide.com

offers decent quality at a competitive price
Edmunds

good headroom despite a somewhat tall seating position
ConsumerGuide

Most reviewers find the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo offers pleasant accommodations for its price, but the Aveo doesn’t please everyone. As with other categories, the hatchback is better received than the Aveo sedan.

MyRide.com’s evaluation is the harshest review of those read by TheCarConnection.com’s editors: “The reality is that the little Korean-built 2009 Chevy Aveo is subpar in most respects to the big three of the subcompact world—the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris—and not even better than the remainder of the crowd. It is noisy, uncomfortable, slow, largely unpleasant to drive and not particularly well thought-out compared to its competition.” Regarding the Aveo’s competitors, Edmunds concurs but isn’t as brutal in its commentary: “As for the all-around driving experience, the Aveo is similarly mid-pack.”

ConsumerGuide says, “The engine sounds coarse and buzzy during acceleration on all models. Wind and road noise can be intrusive, more so with the hatchback than the sedan.” Automobile Magazine points to the sunglasses holster and wonders "how many of these will get ripped off by accident.”

The subcompact Aveo received kudos for its ample front seating. ConsumerGuide observes “good headroom despite a somewhat tall seating position, though sitting high up makes for excellent visibility. Taller passengers will wish for more legroom, though.”

“Both the hatchback and the sedan have a 60/40-split-folding rear seat that creates extra space for cargo. But although the Aveo5 has a respectable 42 cubic feet when the rear seats are down, it offers significantly less cargo space than some competing hatchbacks with the rear seats in place,” reports Edmunds.

“Neither body style offers much cargo room with the rear seats up. Split-folding rear seatbacks help increase space. In-cabin storage is sparse, with a meager glovebox and a few small bins,” observes ConsumerGuide.

Conclusion

The 2009 Aveo provides passengers room to move and comfortable seating, but has minimal storage space compared to its rivals.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:subpar in most respects to the big three of the subcompact worldMyRide.comoffers decent quality at a competitive priceEdmundsgood headroom despite a somewhat tall seating positionConsumerGuide Most reviewers find the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo offers pleasant accommodations for its price, but the Aveo doesn’t please everyone. As with other categories, the hatchback is better received than the Aveo sedan. MyRide.com’s evaluation is the harshest review of those read by TheCarConnection.com’s editors: “The reality is that the little Korean-built 2009 Chevy Aveo is subpar in most respects to the big three of the subcompact world—the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris—and not even better than the remainder of the crowd. It is noisy, uncomfortable, slow, largely unpleasant to drive and not particularly well thought-out compared to its competition.” Regarding the Aveo’s competitors, Edmunds concurs but isn’t as brutal in its commentary: “As for the all-around driving experience, the Aveo is similarly mid-pack.” ConsumerGuide says, “The engine sounds coarse and buzzy during acceleration on all models. Wind and road noise can be intrusive, more so with the hatchback than the sedan.” Automobile Magazine points to the sunglasses holster and wonders "how many of these will get ripped off by accident.” The subcompact Aveo received kudos for its ample front seating. ConsumerGuide observes “good headroom despite a somewhat tall seating position, though sitting high up makes for excellent visibility. Taller passengers will wish for more legroom, though.” “Both the hatchback and the sedan have a 60/40-split-folding rear seat that creates extra space for cargo. But although the Aveo5 has a respectable 42 cubic feet when the rear seats are down, it offers significantly less cargo space than some competing hatchbacks with the rear seats in place,” reports Edmunds. “Neither body style offers much cargo room with the rear seats up. Split-folding rear seatbacks help increase space. In-cabin storage is sparse, with a meager glovebox and a few small bins,” observes ConsumerGuide. ConclusionThe 2009 Aveo provides passengers room to move and comfortable seating, but has minimal storage space compared to its rivals. 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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