Aveo out of the hit factory

14:43, Jan 29 2012 First Drive - Chevrolet Aveo by Chris Russon, drivingforce.uk.net

THEY are the most sung about cars on the planet and now Chevrolet is adding a new number to its repertoire. The Aveo may not have quite the same cachet as Prince’s Little Red Corvette or the Chevy Don McLean drove to the levee in American Pie but it’s good enough to be top ten material. The second generation Aveo is Chevrolet’s answer to the best selling Ford Fiesta and has plenty of attributes to make it a credible alternative. Not only is it competitively priced – the entry level model costs £9,995 and that’s for a five door – but it also has a line up of economical engines with one capable of topping 70 to the gallon. In profile the new Aveo has kept some of the boxy silhouette of the original but its body lines have been contoured to make it more presentable. From the front it is quite a looker with the nose dominated by four round headlamps peering from black mounts above pronounced housings for the fog lights. As little cars go it has plenty of presence and on the inside the dash is trendy which will make it appealing to younger drivers. There may be a lot of plastic in the trim but it is cleverly used with a variety of textures and shades while the instrument panel is made up of a rev counter alongside a digital speedo surrounded by a metal-effect oblong binnacle housing the warning lights. It’s unusual but gives the Aveo a character all of its own. Interior space is good – the box shape makes for plenty of room in the rear – while on the passenger side there is a double glove box with the top one fitted out with connections and holders for music players, a neat touch. The Aveo line up comprises three trim levels, badged LS, LT and LTZ and specification is high for a car of this price. Even the top grade model comes in at less than £14,000. All have air conditioning, cruise control, electric front windows and heated door mirrors while the likes of Bluetooth phone connectivity, 15-inch alloys and a trip computer arrive on the LT models which are priced from £10,995. Auto lights, front fogs and parking sensors are among the features added to create the LTZ and that can be had from £12,195 for a 1.4-litre petrol version. Pound for pound the Aveo has a lot going for it and it’s placed well not only against the Fiesta but also the likes of the SEAT Ibiza and VW Polo. Four engines are available – 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol and two 1.3 diesels, one rated at 75 and the other 95ps. The 1.2 can run out of steam when asked to work hard but there is nothing at all wrong with the 1.4 although it’s not available on the entry level model. Chevrolet claims the 1.2 will average 60.9mpg and the 1.4 53.3 with emissions of 111g/km and 125 respectively. An auto box is available on the 1.4 and that shaves fuel economy down to 44.8 with a CO2 figure of 147g/km. The star of the line up is the 95ps 1.3-litre diesel eco model which surprisingly is the quickest – 0 to 60 in 11.7 seconds – and has an official combined fuel consumption of 78.4 to the gallon. We didn’t quite hit that but we managed 76mpg without trying too hard – and at 95g/km it’s exempt from road tax and the London congestion charge. It costs £12,795, comes in LT trim and for what it offers is nothing short of an absolute bargain. Ride quality cannot be complained about and overall the Aveo is easy and pleasant to drive. The 1.2 and 1.3-litre cars have electric power steering fitted as an added energy saving device while the diesel eco version comes with stop/start. Luggage space at 290 litres is par for the course and there is a convenient concealed compartment below the boot floor. Drop the rear seats and space rises to 533 litres. Like Chevrolet’s other small cars the Aveo is built in South Korea, comes with a five year warranty - and all in all it’s a rather decent little hatch.