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 = Affordability, Economy. - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Spikeymikey - October 4 - 11:54 am

  Not a great looking ride, nothing to show off or be proud of. But if you want a new car with payments that are easy to make, great gas mileage, and not a fortune to insure, this car is great. No complaints

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  2005 Chevy Aveo LS Hatch - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Steve - September 27 - 5:37 pm

  Small size, price, and fuel economy were driving factors as a replacement commuter pod with versatile storage. The 5-speed transmission has a little slack in shifting. The engine delivers 70-mph at 3000rpm in 5th gear. Mileage did not clear 31MPG after 5K miles. The passenger compartment is roomy and the console intuitive. The radio/CD runs surprisingly hot - I wouldnt leave a CD in for more than 90 minutes. The hatch area (manual independent lock) is not deep but can accomodate storage in laundry basket modules. The rear seat fold-down space works easily but the seats do not recess and they cause a 6" step up for the storage floor. Nice profile.

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  "Special Value" - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Eric - September 23 - 12:01 am

  I use my cute little Aveo primarily to commute to work. After all of the various discounts, I paid $8,300 for the special value model. I enjoy knowing that I made a smart decision. I get about 28mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. This little car has a lot of useful room. The rear seat has a special way of folding down to make the back cargo area completely flat and 100% usable. The only thing I really miss is air conditioning. If you want it, youre going to end up paying a lot more. I also wish it had a CD player standard.

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  Very good mileage - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By gdeffendall - September 14 - 3:11 pm

  I enjoy the Aveo, bought it for fuel economy. I have checked mileage 3 times, 50% city & 50% hwy driving, air conditioning used all the time, mileage came out to be 34+ on all checks with air conditioning going all the time. Very pleased, quite comfortable, very economonical...

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  Good, but falling apart - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By J-Rod - September 8 - 6:39 pm

  This car is great on gas, and the engine is running very solid. The only problems I have experienced was that the radio decided not to work after 20,000 miles, which really displeases me about this car. It is the little things I can tell why this car is priced as is, you get what you pay for. I am not bashing the car...it is a reliable car, but the manufacturer could have put in a little more attention to detail.

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  Love out AVEO - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Jane & Jerry - September 7 - 8:53 pm

  We got an AVEO LT loaded with all the options including the sun roof. It is fun to drive, seems incredibly roomy inside, even the back seat. There is plenty of trunk room even with the back seat not folded. Never though we could get so much for the money!

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  My Neat Baby - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Mo Laffin - September 6 - 4:38 am

  This car is the most efficient Ive had in the last 10 years..(and Ive had 4!) Its very reliable, and very low maintenance...something to be really happy about. Getting in is very comfortable, like a little jeep--easy because higher up--just sliding in, and actually is higher up, a great feature when riding through a partially flooded street! My baby Aveo is my buddy !

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  My Aveo called Zippy - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Adorah - September 6 - 1:44 am

  We have show dogs and just love this zippy little car. We just put 2 fold down crates and 2 soft crates and 4 days of suplys to show the 2 dogs for 4 days after we drove 8 hours one way. We saved so much in gas that we got to step out for a real nice dinner. We will be useing this new car for a wile to head to dog shows. Oh, and the dogs we show are Afghan Hounds they are about 50 lbs. each and about 26 inches tall. The back seats come out to make lots of room.

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  Great Car! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Melissa - August 30 - 4:26 pm

  I spent a lot of time researching cars before I bought this one. It is definitely the best one out there for the money. Of course you are not going to have the power of a BMW, but you didnt pay those prices. This is my first car and it is the best choice that I could have made. I love to drive it.

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  Love My Aveo - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Butler Hendrix - August 23 - 6:56 pm

  Just a lovely car to drive. Fuel economy is excellent. Ours is getting 32 mpg city & 37 mpg highway with automatic transmission