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:

• 

  Dont Buy It! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Autumn - August 18 - 1:13 pm

  Like many people, I need an economical vehicle that will get me from point A to point B. This car is economical, but not very trustworthy. I would not buy it again. As it is, mine has less than 30,000 miles on it and is starting to do things such a new car should not do. It occasionally hesitates upon starting, it makes strange sounds when it is running, the gas light quit working, and its rattling itself apart (the drivers side armrest rattles when driving). I dont trust the car any more and am looking into getting rid of it before the warranty runs out. Of course, its not paid off and this car is worth nothing as a trade in. Bum deal! Dont fall for it like I did!

• 

  Engine Failed At 11K - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Kevin - May 16 - 8:52 pm

  Very light weight, handles very poorly in wind. Gets a nasty screeching noise from doors or mirrors when driving in wind. Front engine crankshaft seal failed yesterday, lost all oil, damaged engine, oil/idiot light did not come on before engine started knocking. GM will only replace damaged parts, which is the crankshaft and bearings. Not pleased with that, should get a fresh engine and waranty. Manual transmission is already showing signs of problems, clunks into gear and sometimes hard to get into first. I am not a kid hot roding it. Its a commuter car, I drive it carefully.

• 

  Be aware! - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By enigmaz - March 12 - 10:22 am

  Got this car for my wife over a year ago. Took it on a 1200 mile trip and was great! Gave us good mpg, comfortable, no problem. But now after a year found out that the headlights are going dimmer, fuel economy is terrible (lost about 7 mpg), nasty belt noise and the brakes do not respond as good (almost crashed twice). Also, the resale value is very bad. I guess its like a brand new broom. Works fine just the first couple of times.

• 

  CRUNCH - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob - December 5 - 9:39 pm

  I bought a brand new 2004 Aveo in 7/2005 off the dealer lot. Several months later I started hearing popping and creaking in the front suspension area, and it got worse in the months to come. Finally took it in after a year of driving. Here is what happened. Dealer decided it must be the bushings and they replaced them, bad move bushings dont wear out in only months. Anyways, the fix didnt do very much. Turned it back in and they checked their TSB list that indicated to replace control arms. This was on their work order and receipt they gave me. For some reason they Instead decided to only torque control arms. Bad move. Still didnt fix it. Fix number 3 is in process, stay tuned

• 

  Suspension Problems TSB noted - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By JLW - November 14 - 7:04 pm

  Love the car however, in month 2 or 3 creaking and popping started from suspension, and got worse as the months progressed. Finally took it in a year later and they said the bushings on the stabilizer arms were no good. I thought to myself how could bushings go bad in 2-3 months on a brand new car? Took it in, and they replaced them and it made a noticable difference. However creaking and popping is still there and Im trying to isolate where. I think its now in the back. Not happy at all with the suspension on this brand new car. Its due to the heavy swing of the car, its height and poor/or improperly selected/or placed suspension components. Going back again for the remaining creaks, stay tuned.

• 

  Red Lemon - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By kathi z - September 10 - 9:00 pm

  Nice to drive, traded Metro in for an Aveo sedan. Has been to dealer six times for warranty repairs with only 34,000 miles on it. Fuel mileage is not great. My Chevy Impala with 3.8 gets as good. Dash hard to read in daylight. The stupid chrome around shifter has sun glare off of it. In cold weather, will not shift into over drive for several miles.

• 

  High Maintenance - Falling Apart - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By wave54 - February 20 - 5:48 am

  Relatively decent car with roomy interior and smooth ride, but is not holding up well. Have persistent problems, mainly with suspension and engine belts/accessories. I predict very poor reliability as these cars age. I have 57K miles and it feels like a well-worn used car with 200K on the clock. Something is acting up every week -- repairs are expensive since there are virtually no replacement parts such as struts, shocks, mufflers, hoses available for independent garages to work with. Extremely disappointed -- would advise avoiding at all costs if you plan to put 40K or above on it.

• 

  "How Can We Fool em Today" vol. 2006 - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By JustPassinThru - February 15 - 7:24 pm

  This is a typical GM answer to foreign brands supremacy in the small car market. Nifty styling and a touted warranty, tied to zero attention to detail engineering done on the cheap. The 5-spd is stone-slow away from lights the primative fuel injection system makes it lurch when the clutch is let in and leaves the engine revving when the throttle is released to change gears. Result is a lurching-jerking driving experience, and double-clutching is impossible. A pain to drive. And the gearbox is vague and hard to engage. And the "warning" light for the passengers airbag when the seat is empty is annoying I finally covered it with tape. And the car was delivered with bent wheels.

• 

  Perfect car for couple or 3 people - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By ruth wilhite - February 5 - 4:16 pm

  Most of the car is fine. Generally pleased with the car. It rides good. Holds the road well. Carpet/ seat coverings look cheap but wearing o.k. Had to replace the back seat hinge where it folds to be flat. Routine wiper/ hubcap/heat/air/cond/.. All done with a smile at routine check ups. Recommend this car for a good cheap ride. All of grandkids love it...

• 

  Awful gas mileage - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By gangrel101 - January 14 - 1:15 pm

  I had just bought my Aveo broke it in and took it to Chicago, While on the highway my mileage averaged 25, this is going at a constant speed. Now that I am back home I filled up last night and I am getting 22 miles per gallon. This car does not get anywhere close to the mileage they say and I took it in and they claimed nothing is wrong with it. So dont buy this car for the mileage!