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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  Should not have gotten - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Pete - January 3 - 4:44 pm

  The car is terrible in the wind at highway speeds and even worse in the snow. Ride is very noisy. I wish they had offered a buy back within 60 days of when I bought.

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  Driving a Lemon - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Amanda10 - December 23 - 6:18 pm

  My car handles very well in rough terrain and snow and that is the only thing I like about it. Since I have had it I have had nothing but problems with the engine and with the electrical system. I have no heat in my car and have taken it to 2 mechanics whom said they dont know what is wrong.

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  Great Car AVEO 5 - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bill - December 22 - 11:45 am

  The only problem I have with this car is some of sensors blink on when it gets really cold. Otherwise I would suggest this ride for anyone. Much roomier than what it looks like from the outside. Thanks Chevy for putting out a great car.

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  I love it!!! - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob from PA - November 29 - 9:47 am

  I bought this car to drive to and from work,35 miles 1 way. Ive owned the car for 1-1/2 years now and have 30,000 miles racked up. On average I get 39+ MPG with summer tires, and 35 MPG with winter tires. Both more than the advertised 34 MPG, WOOHOO. For 10,754.14 out the door and delivered to my place of work, youll not get a better deal. Im 511" and 300+ pounds and have plenty of room. The tires do wear a little odd, and the paint has worn off right in front of the rear doors and rocker panels from winter driving. The arm rest are in awkward positions. All in all, I LOVE IT!!!

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  Not too Shabby - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By ahartney - November 27 - 9:17 am

  This car is overall pretty dependable. I drive it to and from work everyday, regularly change the oil and havent had any major issues up until now. Last night, was driving and heard a pop. I looked under the hood and it had sprayed coolant all over, starting from the passenger side near the air filter box. Turns out that a lot of Aveo owners have had the same issue. The factory thermostat housing is made of plastic and is held together with glue. Mine basically separated into two pieces right at the gasket. Options are buy an aluminum one for approx. $100.. ($91.78 plus tax from the dealer) or use plastic weld to glue it back together. By the way...parts are only carried by the dealer.

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  How about the truth - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Ash - November 16 - 10:22 pm

  I had been searching for a vehicle for months now. I wanted something not too expensive and wont will get me from A to B. I found the nicest fire red 4 door hatchback (5 door). Automatic and fully loaded! It was fantastic. However, bad news. You feel absolutely everything in the vehicle. It isnt as reliable as they make it seem. I have had to return my car three times now. I am going for the forth. I will probably bring back my car before the 60 day guarantee as I have had the worse luck with the car. I am extremely upset, because it isnt what was expected. If you get the car at a good deal and dont mind it being slow and feeling all. Go for it! besides that look away

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  Gets you from A to B - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By JimHo - November 14 - 9:46 pm

  Just traded an 07 Aveo LT sedan/automatic in a few months ago. It had no real issues and it got the job done for me until I was ready to move up to something nicer. The engine is tiny but then again the car is pretty small. You arent going to win any races in this thing but I could still pass safely on 2 lane roads. Driver visibility is excellent on this car due to the high seating position and wide windshield. Due to size, the car is also very agile in low speed tight turns, so its easy to park and weave through city traffic. On the LT (maybe others) they also throw in a lot of nice options that you wouldnt expect in this price class, like heated mirrors and foglights.

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  Lil Blue Aveo - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By BM - November 14 - 5:06 am

  Well I bought this new for my 16 yr old as a first car. I wanted her to have something new, reliable, and warrantied. So far, so good. She has been driving it about 50K miles and 3.5 years with no mechanical issues. She has had some brim and tire issues though. Chevy didnt want to hear anything about it though. After about 16K miles the tires were bald as a babies butt. She purchased some 40K Firestones and they are lasting. I was thinking it was a normal junky chevy front end or junky calipers etc ruining the tires but I guess it was the "no good" stock tires they put on it. Anyway, She has rode this sucker pretty hard in 3.5 years. She has been "ramming like a teenager".

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  Nice window - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Amanda - November 13 - 2:22 pm

  I had had my chevy aveo for 1 year and I placed my dog in the back seat and shut the door. I than proceed to the drivers side and I noticed that the hatchback window shattered and it cost $1000 to replace. I think that the cars parts are cheaply designed and are very expensive to replace. The gas mileage is great and the space for a small 4 door car is great but other than those 2 things I think the car is cheaply made and not a reliable car.

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  forget echo- buy this - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By railroad man - November 11 - 10:00 am

  old car broke.rented toyota echo for 1 month. read my review. one aveo test drive and i was sold. im at 6k miles and the only 2 problems ive encountered are during winter-a stiff rear hatch seal and ice damming up inside the fuel filler hatch. both very minor design problems. 30mpg solid at chicago tollway speeds. sunglass holder hell-saftey glass holder. how many of us have to wear them? dealer threw in mp3. station wagon no charge.real useable storage. my 400lb girlfriend even fits in it comfortably. hauls me and dive buddy and all our scuba gear with the rear seat down.nice ride quality.