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

MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £7,510 off RRP*Used from £12,697
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,818 off RRP*Used from £15,300
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £8,970
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £2,107 off RRP*Used from £15,851
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Bag a desirable plug-in hybrid BMW X3 M Sport for less than £380 a month
BMW X3 - full width, front

Car Deal of the Day: Bag a desirable plug-in hybrid BMW X3 M Sport for less than £380 a month

The new BMW X3 is fresh out of the blocks, but you can already lease a well-specced one for an eye-opening £378 a month. It’s our Car Deal of the Day …
News
17 Aug 2025
Best car tyres to buy now 2025: top tyres tested and reviewed
Auto Express Summer Tyre Test 2025 - header image showing a Volkswagen Golf undergoing wet weather cornering

Best car tyres to buy now 2025: top tyres tested and reviewed

Nine brands go head to head in our annual test, but which one should you put on your car?
Product group tests
13 Aug 2025
What cars qualify for the electric car grant? Full list with our best (and worst) picks
Electric car charging mega test - Renault 5 front angled

What cars qualify for the electric car grant? Full list with our best (and worst) picks

More than 20 electric cars are now eligible for a Government-funded discount. Which should you go for from the ever growing list?
News
15 Aug 2025