Skip advert
Advertisement

Chevrolet Aveo 1.2s

Does Chevy's new supermini hide its Daewoo roots?

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your Chevrolet Aveo
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Few makers have bigger ambitions than Chevy. But until it starts to benefit from the use of new GM platforms, it has to make do with the legacy of Daewoo. So the Aveo is off the pace – and there won’t be a diesel until an all-new model arrives in 2011.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Chevrolet brand is on the move, – and its latest offering is the three-door Aveo. It inherits the platform of the Daewoo-built Kalos supermini, and, from launch features an 83bhp 1.2-litre engine and a five-speed manual gearbox.

Priced £7,695, it gets remote central locking, an MP3-compatible stereo and electric front windows as standard. Air-con is £400 extra.

Inside, fit and finish are good for a budget brand. While storage could be better, the long wheelbase means decent rear space, and access to the back is easy. But the high window line can give a claustrophobic feel.

Out on the road, the 1.2-litre Vauxhall-sourced engine is frugal, and has enough torque to keep up with motorway traffic, even with passengers and luggage on board.

Rural roads expose the age of the chassis, though. Body roll is an issue, while the steering is vague.

The generous kit and practicality, plus low price and running costs, should enable Chevy to meet its UK targets of 9,000 Aveo sales this year. But by trying to push old Daewoo underpinnings to the limit, the Aveo

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,649
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,211
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £13,199
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025