SAFETY | 4 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
Acceptable," frontal offset; "moderate," side impact; "poor," rear impact
IIHS
Four and five stars, frontal; three and four stars, side impact
NHTSA
“Antilock brakes are optional on the LT models, but only on those with the automatic transmission”
ConsumerGuide
As with almost everything else on the 2010 Chevrolet Aveo, safety manages to come in with a barely adequate rating yet again. Independent crash-test results are noteworthy for being near the bottom of the pack, while not all the safety features you would wish for are included.
Scores for the Aveo5 in federal crash tests are dual five-star ratings for frontal impacts and dual four-star ratings for side impacts. The Aveo sedan fares less well, losing one star each for the passengers in front and side impacts. In IIHS tests, the insurance institute rates the Aveo's offset frontal-impact performance as "acceptable" and side impact as just "marginal."
In terms of safety, the 2010 Chevrolet Aveo includes front and side airbags as standard, leaving ABS as an option. Electronic stability control isn't offered. A bonus is the height-adjustable front shoulder belts, which prove to be more comfortable. One offering the competitors do not have is the added measure of safety provided by GM OnStar, which is included.
Car and Driver finds that “the Aveo gets dual front side airbags in addition to the standard front bags, but curtain airbags aren’t offered—a glaring oversight. There is no traction or stability control on offer.” ConsumerGuide also points out that “antilock brakes are optional on the LT models, but only on those with the automatic transmission.”
Conclusion
The 2010 Chevrolet Aveo, as one of the smaller, lighter vehicles on the road today, does not impress in safety, which is often a crucial factor for buyers in this segment.
