2010 Chevrolet Aveo - Performance Review

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Most testers find that the 2010 Chevrolet Aveo's inline four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing offers adequate performance and fuel economy. The 2010 Chevrolet Aveo and Aveo5 use identical engines, transmissions, and chassis components. The engine is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 108 horsepower and 104 pound-feet of torque, which can give you about 400 miles from a single tank.

Overall, the Aveo is nifty around town, but once you reach cruising speeds over 70 mph, the car reveals its urban heritage, feeling nervous and out of place. Edmunds concludes that “while the 2010 Chevrolet Aveo is certainly no thrill ride, it provides respectable vehicle dynamics. The steering is direct and the suspension is well-tuned for day-to-day commuting. The 1.6-liter engine is adequate, but it's not particularly powerful.”

ConsumerGuide finds that the “Aveo accelerates off the line quicker than one would expect, but no one will mistake these subcompacts for a sports car. Manual-transmission versions feel slightly quicker than automatics, but a rubbery, imprecise manual shifter detracts from the driving experience. The automatic is relatively responsive."

Automobile Magazine comments on the transmission, claiming, “the manual transaxle is a mixed blessing—it allows you to more easily stay in that rev band, but the shift action is rather sloppy, and the optional ABS can't be had with the manual.” In addition, “the manual shifter is numb and rubbery, which wouldn't be all that terrible if you didn't have to downshift constantly just to keep up with traffic.” Edmunds remarks, “We normally recommend that buyers in this class opt for a manual transmission, but in the Aveo's case, the automatic is the better bet. The manual tranny's gear ratios are too wide, leaving the car underpowered on highway grades and ultimately compromising fuel economy.”

EPA mileage for the pair is 27/35 mpg (city/highway) on models equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and 25/34 mpg for those with a four-speed automatic.

ConsumerGuide comments that the Aveo is “nimble enough due to its petite size and responsive steering, though some testers say steering effort is a bit heavy at low speeds. Aveo's body leans more in turns than class rivals.”

MyRide.com feels that “the brakes prove perfectly adequate in the day-to-day world of commuting in which the 2010 Chevy Aveo will be thrust, but no more than adequate.” ConsumerGuide says “the brakes provide decent stopping control but are nothing special in terms of pedal feel.”