Appealing Aveo - Chevy's new compact offers smooth ride

srobertson

Chevy's new entry-level compact offers smooth ride at an affordable price

There's a restaurant about 20 miles north of Cape Girardeau in Shawneetown, Mo., that is the perfect destination for test driving a new vehicle, and I usually show up there for dinner in a new car. "What are you driving this week?" is the first question the Borderlands hostess asks. For about a month now, Truan Runnels, a Jackson High School junior who waits tables, has been asking me to drive a new Chevy Aveo so he can take a first-hand look at the new entry-level offering from the bow-tie company. Last week he got his wish.

When I picked up the Aveo from Coad Chevrolet I didn't have high expectations. After all, what can you get for $10,000? My test vehicle listed for more than that -- $12,840 to be exact -- but it was equipped with automatic transmission, air conditioning and a CD stereo system. After just a few minutes behind the wheel, I was impressed. This is a good automobile!

The Aveo competes against the Toyota Echo, the Suzuki Aerio, Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent. And although it wears a Chevrolet badge, it, like all of its competitors except the Echo, is built in South Korea. Aveo is nearly identical to the Kalos, built by Daewoo and sold in other parts of the world. General Motors owns controlling interests in both Daewoo and Suzuki, and has previously marketed Suzuki products wearing Chevy Tracker emblems and Daewoo automobiles with Pontiac LeMans badges. Remember the Ford Aspire and Festiva? Kia built both in South Korea. So there's nothing new about outsourcing American brands to foreign builders.

You can pronounce the smallest Chevy two ways: ah-vay-oh or av-ee-oh, your pick. Either way, young drivers like Truan Runnels know you're talking about the cute new car from Chevy. The "American Revolution" theme that Chevy is pushing seems to be taking hold, at least with the younger set. "Would you buy one, if you had the money?" I asked after Truan's test drive. "I would if it had power windows and door locks," he said. "The stereo is great, the car is really cute, it just needs more buttons."

Cute it is. No one disliked the Italian designed, tall, four-door, which, at 59 inches, stands several inches higher than a Ford Focus, Dodge Neon or Honda Civic. It rides on 14-inch wheels, but its tallish shape makes them look smaller than they really are. Aveo's egg shape is good for aerodynamics, and provides a surprisingly roomy interior. Inside you'll find generous headroom, legroom and cargo space. A 6-foot-2-inch friend had headroom to spare, and he easily found a comfortable driving position, thanks to the standard tilt steering wheel, adjustable height driver's seat, and reclining backrest. Passengers and driver sit high in the Aveo in chair-like comfort. Since your legs don't have to stick out in front of you, there is good legroom. Cargo room is also generous, and thanks to the 60/40 split folding rear seat, trunk space can be easily multiplied.

Despite its price and overseas source, the Aveo doesn't look any cheaper than some U.S.-built GM models. The interior is finished in nice-looking, low-sheen plastics, and the floor is carpeted. The instrument panel looks modern and well executed, and comes standard with a tachometer, cup holders and two power outlets.

How does the Aveo drive? Better than you'd expect for a $12,000 car! The first thing I noticed was the quiet ride. Oh, the engine gets buzzy and loud at full throttle acceleration, but at 70-mph the Aveo is quieter than many larger cars costing much more. The second thing I noticed was the smooth, pleasant ride. Small bumps and tar strips are nearly non-existent in the Aveo, which will make this car very appealing for commuting to work or running errands. I've noticed this characteristic on other Korean-built cars. It seems the Koreans lean toward a plush, American-style ride, while the Japanese seem to favor a firm, European-style suspension.

There are limits, of course, to what you can get for $12,000, and Chevy had to draw the line in the horsepower department at 103. But the 1.6-liter iron-block four-cylinder engine produces adequate power, given that the Aveo weighs only 2,343 pounds. The four-speed automatic transmission shifted competently. When it comes to handling, the Aveo exhibits good body control and composure over potholes and rough pavement. The steering is sharp, the brakes give confidence, and overall, the vehicle offers a fun-to drive package with nice driving dynamics. Combined with a quiet, pleasant ride, roomy interior, reasonable price and gas mileage of 27-mpg city and 35-mpg highway, I think Chevy has a winner in the Aveo. Financing and monetary incentives make the price even more appealing. And, it's nice to know that Truan's generation is attracted to sensible, economical, cars!

Steve Robertson of Robertson's Creative Photography is a car enthusiast and former staff writer/photographer for the Southeast Missourian. Contact him at srobertson@ semissourian.com.