A Solid Subcompact Entry I must admit to not being the biggest fan of city driving. All the stop and go accelerating and braking can be frustrating. Not to mention the fact that parking is sparse, and when a spot comes up it's often too small for my vehicle. But city driving doesn't have to be a drag. I find that when I am sitting in comfortable seats, listening to my favorite music, and driving in a car that fits in abnormally small parking spaces, it isn't so bad.
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| The Chevy Aveo was perfect for zipping around the city, and great for fitting into those abnormally small parking spaces downtown. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
The all-new Aveo is just such a car. I actually enjoyed putting around town in it. The Chevy comes standard with full cloth bucket seats, a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, providing good sound quality, and a compact frame enabling me to wind through tight city streets and once again, squeeze into those meager parking spots. But these three reasons aren't all that makes the Aveo enjoyable, there's more.
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| The Aveo's 103-hp engine has adequate power to zip up big hills or quickly pass slow moving SUVs. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
The new addition proved to be quite athletic. Whether prodding the throttle to coax forward its diminutive 1.6-L, 4-cylinder engine, sporting 103 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 107 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm, winding through the curves or laying hard into the front disc and rear drum brakes, the Aveo's driving dynamics were smooth yet snappy.
Its tiny engine actually has some punch. The model that was in my custody for a little bonding time. Although equipped with the optional automatic transmission, my 5-door LS test model responded punctually when my right foot tapped on the gas pedal - though not without a fair bit of commotion from the revy motor. Nevertheless, the Aveo has adequate power to zip up big hills or quickly pass slow moving, gas guzzling SUVs.
