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

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,510 off RRP*Used from £11,695
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £2,028 off RRP*Used from £16,100
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,463 off RRP*
* 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: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper

The modern-day Super Cinq comes with a super price. It’s our Deal of the Day for 14 May
News
14 May 2025
Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”
VW Golf GTI badge

Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”

VW is taking the iconic hot hatchback brand into the electric era with the new Golf GTI EV already in development…
News
13 May 2025
Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU
Luca de Meo - Renault 5

Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU

Renault and Stellantis bosses demand changes to the emissions rules driving up new car prices
News
15 May 2025