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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  Dependable but Disappointed - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By bab - July 31 - 10:23 am

  I traded in a fully loaded Chevy Impala for this car when gas went above $4 a gallon. The Impala was getting 22 mpg city and was very very comfortable. With the Aveo, what was advertised on the window sticker, is not what I got. I usually get between 25 to 27 in the city and 30 on the highway. I should have kept my Impala. Aveo alarm goes off for no reason. I looked this problem up on the internet an nobody could get dealer to fix. One guy said to lock it with the key instead of the fob and that has resolved my problem 99% of the time. Now the hood latch is broke. Cant open back up at all. Ive kept this serviced as required over the years so Im praying it lasts me 4 to 5 more years.

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  Shift lock problems - 2010 Chevrolet Aveo
  By dj morse - July 11 - 5:03 pm

  Problems after 1 month with shift lock on automatic gear handle. Cannot get car out of park.

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  Nice at first - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By fast driver - July 1 - 5:43 pm

  Bought the car brand new in 2008, drove great up until now. Check engine light wont go off, it jerks for no reason, cd player stopped working yesterday. It is very light so if its windy you wont be going over 60 while listening to whistling on the highway. It makes a popping sound when warming up and the trade in value is horrible. If youre looking for something thats NOT your only means of transportation then this is it. When i start to get the letters in I will be trading mine.

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  It is what it is - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By That guy - July 1 - 9:23 am

  I have a 90 mile a day round trip commute and bought this when gas was over$4 a gal. This is an economy car. They only thing I like about it is that I am 62" 300 lbs and I fit into it fine. Otherwise this is a cheap car with cheap features. The factory alarm get buggy and goes off for no reason at times. Ive had no major problems but the tires are so small that there can be big problems when potholes are everywhere.

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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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  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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  25 mpg is a joke - 2010 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Yahble - April 10 - 7:47 am

  Very roomy, lots of Glass for all around viewing, easy in/out. That said, the Glass lets in a lot of sun- ac struggles when its sunny, its underpowered and lags in a head wind. The biggest failure is the gas mileage- 25 mpg is a joke! (28 mile round trip to/from work-my94 4x4 4 cyl 5sp Jeep Cherokee, 94 geo tracker 4x4 got 30+mpg) 25 mpg is a joke! 26.9 mpg highway- drafting! Ive took it in several times "driving conditions & weather, thats the way it is." I had to take it in for an engine knock, rods werent tightened, wouldnt start a twice, mpg- "thats the way it is.". Chevy should be embarrassed on the mpg. My recommendation - buy something else if you want the mpg. 25 mpg is a joke on me!

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  new us cars what can they do! - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jens arendttorp - March 17 - 11:35 am

  29.8 mpg is all I can squeeze out of it even with a lucas additive in the fuel a good driving car as good as a Toyota Prius maybe even better, but poor fuel economy compared to my old Toyota Tercel wagon with on-demand 4 wheel drive, which is handy during winter months

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  1.5 year review - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Matthew505 - March 11 - 2:46 pm

  I have had this car since 4/08. A few comments: The bad- she hates the snow here in Chicago. Handles well driving, but be prepared to shovel or use traction pads when parallel parking with over 5 inches on the ground. The smaller tires, very low power+ low to the ground= tough parking. Other issues: small tires treads will pick up every stone in the road. You will hear them when the windows are down- annoying. Good: only maintenance done outside of oil was a brake job around 14K miles. Rotors rusted. Only drive about 15 miles a day, but lots of stop and go. Overall, not a bad car. Wanted cheap car, got one that works. Bought an aftermarket radio and speakers, so all is well with the commute.