Overview & Reviews

The Chevy Aveo was one of the first representatives of a new generation of inexpensive small cars that dawned in the 2000s as car shoppers began changing their buying habits to reflect rising gas prices and tough financial times. Unlike the penalty boxes of old, these small cars would sacrifice little in terms of reliability, features or comfort.

Having said that, the Aveo paled in comparison to later competitors. Built in Korea by GM-owned Daewoo, the Aveo was uninspiring to drive and saddled with subpar interior quality. A penalty box it was not, but it wasn't an object of desire, either. Eventually, Chevrolet discontinued the Aveo and replaced it with the vastly superior Sonic.

Most Recent Chevrolet Aveo
The Chevy Aveo was available as a subcompact sedan or four-door hatchback called the Aveo5. Both debuted in 2004 and, apart from the subsequent minor face-lifts that occurred for the sedan in '07 and the hatchback in '09, didn't significantly change throughout its run.

From 2004-'08, every Aveo was powered by a 1.6-liter inline-4 that made 103 horsepower and 107 pound-feet of torque. For '09, it was bumped up to 107 hp and 106 lb-ft, while for 2010 those figures were revised to 108 hp and 104 lb-ft. Transmission choices were always a standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic. Manual transmission gear ratios were altered for 2010 for improved fuel economy.

The Aveo's tall profile wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing when viewed from the outside, but it certainly paid dividends in terms of providing useful amounts of headroom and legroom. The Aveo's interior also provided a commanding view for all passengers, and a fully reclining front passenger seat and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat expanded cargo capacity. The sedan's trunk offered 12.4 cubic feet of storage space. The Aveo5 also had a fold-down rear seat, and it could carry up to 42 cubic feet of cargo.

In Chevrolet Aveo reviews, our editors found it to be the least appealing of contemporary subcompacts, particularly toward the end of its life. But as a used car purchase, the Aveo represents a pretty affordable way to get acceptable transportation. Strengths included a low price, ample headroom and logical control layout. Downsides included mediocre acceleration, an unrefined driving experience, subpar cabin quality and a sloppy gearshifter (this was the rare instance in the subcompact class where we would recommend the automatic). Shoppers will want to consider 2006 and later Aveos, as they have additional features such as side airbags, alloy wheels and cruise control.

User Reviews:

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  AVEO--fun!-comfortable! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By gaparoonie - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Great little car! Ive had a small Hyundai, which was great! and a small Ford, which was great, but tee-eeny! But the AVEO outshines them both, in spades. Definitely get the sedan, if you are interested in trunk storage, as the whole car is 14 inches longer then the hatchback. Has a lot of features that you wouldnt expect on a little car -- like power windows/doors, and a sunroof option.

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  Wonderful car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Animal70X7 - January 23 - 10:00 am

  I do not understand how people get such low gas mileage. Mine keeps on going up. It started as 34 MPG on my first tank for city/country driving. It is now 36 to 37 city/country and 41 highway. I have over 6000 miles on mine now and have been thrilled with this car. My friend purchased and Echo and she gets lower gas mileage and has had her car in the shop 3 times in 4 months. I would recommend an Aveo to any one. I am near 50 and think this is the a car I will own for many years.

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  aveo - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jclay - January 23 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy driving it makes a great 2nd car for work, especially the gas mileage, just getting started and first two tanks 29-32 mpg. Was purchase to use in my hobby soon as I retire next spring. The key is hard to insert and would like to have a locking gas cap. Also would like to have cruise control.

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  I love my Aveo - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By ClaiS - January 18 - 4:13 am

  I love this car!! I have had great luck with the car so far and when ever I have had any questions the dealorship was very quick to get the answers. The car is VERY FUN to drive and has incredible room inside, lots of leg room in the back.

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  Great car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob - January 17 - 8:23 pm

  Have owned for about a month. Am getting 35+miles to the gallon back and forth to work and around. Rural driving not city not highway. Has been super so far. Truth will be down the road. So far it has been everthing I had hoped for. Better than rated mileage I drive very conservative). Much better fit and finish interior and exterior than 2003 Corrlla that I had. Mileage is better also driving the same way. Was Ford and Toyota person. If keeps going like it is I will stay with GM.

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  Bought the "Ad Car" for X-Mas - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Yvan - January 3 - 5:46 pm

  I just bought a bare bones that was advertised on the newspaper. The offer included an extra $1K just by showing up on Dec/24th before 2pm, so I did. It took some time and patience to make the dealer agree, after all I was taking a big deal. Bottom line, $6K + tax, fees, brand new w/ 3mi on the ODO. My "other" car is an Audi S4, so for a daily commuter (100mi/day) the Aveo is impressive, gas savings are huge, build quality is better than expected, suspension is soft and body roll is moderate. Dont try to smoke anybody, unless you use your moving momentum. Brakes are quite good also. This is my 1st "Domestic" car and so far Im very and impressed and pleased.

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  Reliable and easy on the gas! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Denise - December 30 - 4:53 pm

  Best features on this vehichle is the reliability and the gas mileage. These were most important to me as I drive 100 miles RT to work M-F. Storage space very good, both inside the car, and the trunk. A bit noisy on the highway, and really lacks power up hills....but still overall, drives pretty good. I havent had any major problems, just bad tires, or a car that creates bad tires, dont know. The price reflects the car you are buying, just the basics! Meaning, no power anything, and just AM/FM radio, but then I just bought the car to get me from work and back, and it does that just fine. Price unbeatable.

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  Fun Car - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By ed - December 30 - 2:45 pm

  I traded a 2005 Cobalt for this car. In spite of the smaller size, it is more comfortable, but it doesnt have the driver information center like the cobalt. I had got used to being able to teel the fuel economey and the outside temperature. It also has a ridiculous power lock system that can only be locked with a key when one is leaving the car. The power is adequate and it is quite roomy.

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  Best little car for the money bar none. - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Miles - December 27 - 1:09 pm

  I went into my local Chevrolet dealer looking for a good used car, ended up buying the 2008 Chevy Aveo. Bottom line price. The actual mileage I get on the highway is not what was stated on the sticker, but all things considered I only have 1k miles on it. Not quite broken in yet. Best mileage 32.47. Not bad for a car I payed $7499.00. Mine is the base model. I highly recommend if you are going to commute which I drive 100 miles a day, get cruise control. I have cruise control on order and send it to chevy tomorrow to get it installed. Small on the outside large on the inside. I am a 511" 240lbs. I have enough room in it. Plenty of visual all the way around the car as so I can merge easily.

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  Not what I expected - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Darcy - December 23 - 5:12 pm

  I bought this car mainly for the fuel economy. This is the only area it reached my expectations. I have had it into the dealer 4 times for problems. One of them involved replacing the main seal which took a week! This is a defect in the vehicle, other Aveos have the same problem. The car didnt even have 8000 miles on it. Then within a week I had to have a sensor replaced. In the past I have always been pleased with GM vehicles but this one is a major disappointment. I dont feel safe driving it long distances and I am glad there is a dealer near my home and another near my work. I will be getting rid of this car ASAP.