Oh, and if you have kids or carpool on a daily basis, you might want to consider the Aveo LT which includes keyless entry; you'll go nuts opening, closing, locking and unlocking doors.
Got pep
Since its 2004 launch, the Aveo and its half-sisters, Pontiac Wave (renamed G3 this year) and Suzuki Swift+ earned a reputation for netting underwhelming fuel economy numbers; some owners averaged well over 10 L/100 km.
The 2009 model gets a new engine, but remains a 16-valve, 1.6-liter unit. It develops 106 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque, and it's mated to a 5-speed manual or the 4-speed automatic that our test car is equipped with. According to GM, fuel economy has improved. Our average of 9.1 L/100 km could be better, but we're testing the car during a very cold winter week, and the Aveo starts up fine even during -35C mornings.
The Aveo5 has enough power to get it moving along at a good pace, although four adults on board will obviously give an extra workout to the 4-cylinder mill and rear suspension. The car's ride isn't harsh but not soft either, and at 100 km/h on the highway, the tach needle is under 3,000 revs, so the cabin is fairly quiet.
Competition
The Aveo5 LS' MSRP is $13,770, and our test car is equipped with the automatic tranny ($1,050), 15-inch alloy wheels ($545) and the Security Package ($960) that includes ABS and front side airbags, which sums up to $15,780. By the way, you can't choose A/C and the automatic together in the LS. Huh?
The subcompact hatchback competition looks like this:
Honda Fit DX, 117 hp, $14,980
Hyundai Accent L 3-door, 110 hp, $13,595
Kia Rio5 EX, 110 hp, $13,995
Nissan Versa 1.8 S, 122 hp, $13,998
Pontiac G3 Wave 5-door, 106 hp, $13,770
smart fortwo pure, 70 hp, $14,990
Suzuki Swift+, 106 hp, $14,495
Toyota Yaris LE 5-door, 106 hp, $14,465
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| Inside the little Chevy, fit and finish is actually not that bad. |
Got pep
Since its 2004 launch, the Aveo and its half-sisters, Pontiac Wave (renamed G3 this year) and Suzuki Swift+ earned a reputation for netting underwhelming fuel economy numbers; some owners averaged well over 10 L/100 km.
The 2009 model gets a new engine, but remains a 16-valve, 1.6-liter unit. It develops 106 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque, and it's mated to a 5-speed manual or the 4-speed automatic that our test car is equipped with. According to GM, fuel economy has improved. Our average of 9.1 L/100 km could be better, but we're testing the car during a very cold winter week, and the Aveo starts up fine even during -35C mornings.
The Aveo5 has enough power to get it moving along at a good pace, although four adults on board will obviously give an extra workout to the 4-cylinder mill and rear suspension. The car's ride isn't harsh but not soft either, and at 100 km/h on the highway, the tach needle is under 3,000 revs, so the cabin is fairly quiet.
Competition
The Aveo5 LS' MSRP is $13,770, and our test car is equipped with the automatic tranny ($1,050), 15-inch alloy wheels ($545) and the Security Package ($960) that includes ABS and front side airbags, which sums up to $15,780. By the way, you can't choose A/C and the automatic together in the LS. Huh?
The subcompact hatchback competition looks like this:
Honda Fit DX, 117 hp, $14,980
Hyundai Accent L 3-door, 110 hp, $13,595
Kia Rio5 EX, 110 hp, $13,995
Nissan Versa 1.8 S, 122 hp, $13,998
Pontiac G3 Wave 5-door, 106 hp, $13,770
smart fortwo pure, 70 hp, $14,990
Suzuki Swift+, 106 hp, $14,495
Toyota Yaris LE 5-door, 106 hp, $14,465
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| Its engine develops 106 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque. |