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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  Dont BUY!! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jabbab - June 12 - 10:35 am

  I bought my 2004 Aveo back in 07, was a good car and great millage. That said, if the timing belt goes, or, in my case, the pulley, youre stuck. The timing belt is worthless in this vehicle, and if it goes, and you drive on that, just for a foot or two, you vales, engine, everything is destroyed! Do not buy this vehicle. It looks cute on the outside but is crap on the inside especially the engine!

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  Cheap Car (Junk) - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Chevyman - June 2 - 11:39 am

  I Bought my Aveo in Jan. 2009, I put a lot of miles on a car, I was hoping that this car would be dependable cheap transportation, not the case at all. My 2008 has been at the Chevy dealer more in the past two months, than at my house. Gas mileage has dropped, multiple idiot lights on, worst one is the engine light, they have replace multiple components, still not fixed lucky for me it was a "certified" car and I still had a little bit of warranty on it, I am sure the bill would exceed what the car is worth. I am a Chevy guy, I have to say this is the worst piece of crap that Chevy has ever put their bow tie on, I would recommend this car to my ex-wife enough said. Also Horrible in snow.

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  I love my Aveo LS Hatchback. - 2004 - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By patrick - May 28 - 11:45 am

  I have driven a 2004 Aveo LS for 6 yrs and have not had to replace any parts except a gas cap (19.50). Mileage is great, seating comfortable and can hook up a canine seat belt to the back or front seat belts apparatus. I plan to drive it 2-3 more years.

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  Never again buy gm product - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By doug - May 27 - 5:16 pm

  My car broke timing belt at a light and i am now replacing the engine. When it runs again i will trade for almost anything. You have to replace timing belt every 30,000 miles. They should give money back and take care back. crazy.

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  Great Car for Awhile - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Jen Squared - May 24 - 9:46 pm

  I loved this car when I first bought it. As a single mom though, I had to finance for 6 years to afford the payments. Now, the car was in the shop for 3 out of the last 4 weeks for various different and expensive reasons. Apparently it is really hard to get the parts you need. Of course, that could be my mechanics way of buying more time, but if the car had lasted past its warranty I dont think I would have had to deal with a mechanic other than a dealer. Bottom Line: If you buy an aveo, do not keep it past about 50,000 miles or so unless you have at least 2000 saved up for repairs.

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  05 Aveo - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Cindy - May 20 - 5:33 pm

  Had my 05 Chevy Aveo for almost 5 yrs now. Havent had a single problem with it. Well, except for the pain. My car is yellow. In fact it is 5 different shades of yellow. Obviously a bad batch of paint? Trying to get them to fix the problem, but so far no luck. Also the clear coat is peeling. Im told this is because of the bad paint, makes sense. I use good car wash to wash it and have always kept it clean. The say the whole car will have to be repainted, of course at my expense.

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  Im Happy - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By GJM - May 20 - 5:11 pm

  I bought this car from a Chevy dealer in Anchorage. It had seen service as a rental with National, which is owned by GM. I got it primarily for commuting to work, save on gas, and keep miles down on my truck. I had a Metro once before and loved it. It was my parking lot command vehicle since I could always find a parking spot due to its size. I got 37.5 mpg driving home from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and about 31 mpg around town. This is what I wanted and I am glad I bought it with a bumper to bumper warranty, at a reduced GM price provide by dealer. What is there not to like. I am wondering how it will fare during our ferocious winters up here in Alaska, but I am happy none the less.

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  Chevy let me down again. - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Becky - May 9 - 6:18 pm

  Radio can’t have duplicate stations or it will get stuck in a “loop” not allowing you to listen to your other preset stations. Mileage has never gone over 25 mpg. NOT power door locks. This is a crock! Keyless key is touchy & alarm goes off. Rear window locks at half way down. There should be an optional override feature to allow windows to go all the way down. Cup holders are a joke and poorly made. They won’t open when its cold and they’re flimsy. After month old and dashboard, and back hatch rattles. Crappy windshield jets. Sprays stream vs., mist/spray. Low tire warning STAYS on even when over filled. Driver side window needed adjusting twice after 1 month, makes popping sound.

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  excellent runabout - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By lips - April 24 - 1:34 pm

  We bought car new. No problems in 76000. this is a much better car than its reputation maybe problems are due to improper or lack of maintenance. .

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  great value for little car. - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By tnt - April 22 - 1:29 pm

  When my wife first got it i called it a clown car becouse its looks so small, but its peppy and fun to drive. way more comfortable than you would think and the back seats are more comfortable than the other baby cars on the market. we tested most of them,exept the ford dont know why.could get better milage. bring back the geo metro.