The new Aveo has improved, become more cheerful, and can compete with stylish and more expensive rivals at a new level. Its main advantage remains the price.Comments (1)The new Chevrolet Aveo began its invasion with a curious advertising campaign. Moreover, with a parody – of the famous video with the dancing transformer Citroen C4, which won "bronze" in Cannes. The next funny series also plays on the gadgets and "show-offs" of sports cars, large SUVs and other vehicles that turn out to be unsuitable in real-life conditions, while the Aveo, all practical and simple, calmly rolls through the city.
The bet in positioning the new B-class hatchback of General Motors is placed on its versatility. This is emphasized by the slogan Get Real, which they decided not even to translate in Russia. Be a realist? Look at things realistically? After smiling at the creativity of the advertisers, sympathizing with Citroen (it's always easier to parody than to come up with your own original move) and appreciating the new car, you feel an unpleasant aftertaste – so, the Aveo is for bores and realists who are only interested in "get in and go?". Just look at the fresh exterior of the new model to understand – not at all.
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| The new Aveo looks self-confident... |
On the contrary, the new Chevrolet Aveo, which was first presented at the Geneva auto show in March, clearly wants to be liked. Following fashion trends in automotive design, which affect not only expensive sedans but also compact city models, the little one has become more confident and aggressive in appearance. After all, small cars are becoming increasingly popular in today's overcrowded cities, which means they must be attractive and stylish. By the way, Russia now also sells the three-door version of the Aveo, and three-door cars traditionally look more sporty and fit: it seems that Chevrolet intends to win over trendy youth. And it's the three-door that we decided to take for a test to get acquainted with the young "crusader".
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| ...and even sporty |
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The self-confident expression of the "face", the cocky headlights – when seeing competitors, it no longer lowers its eyes modestly and embarrassedly! Energetic lines of the radiator grille, divided in half by an imposing (too imposing!) Chevrolet cross… Apparently, the designers in a creative impulse didn't think at all about where to hang the license plate. Yes, without a state plate, the "muzzle" of the Aveo would look better, but unfortunately, law enforcement officers are unlikely to understand the aesthetic suffering of Aveo owners. With the "gills" at the side mirrors, perhaps they overdid it, but otherwise, sharp lines and round details harmonize successfully in the car's appearance.
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| With long doors, you need to be careful when parking |
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| The "gills" at the side mirrors seem superfluous |
Since the doors provide access to both the front seats and the rear row, they are quite long (when parking too close to a neighbor, they should be opened more carefully) and heavy. But passengers won't complain too much when being sent into exile to the rear seat: the opening is quite large, and it's quite possible to get back without wiping the body with clothes. Sitting in the back with a height of up to 180 cm can even be comfortable for a compact three-door hatchback, provided there are two passengers: the length of the Aveo is 3920 mm, width – 1680 mm, and wheelbase – 2480 mm. And subjectively, the car seems more spacious than its predecessor.
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| Passengers won't complain too much when going into exile to the rear seat |
Dissatisfaction among rear passengers may be caused only by the lack of any handles – with a reckless driver, even seat belts won't help – and normal "adult" windows, only vents. Although if you put children in the back, the drawback turns into an advantage and a funny design element.
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| Round design elements fit cozily into the overall style |
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| The rear windows in the three-door are "childish" |
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But we, of course, are primarily interested in the main seat – the one above which the steering wheel is installed. Oh, the steering wheel in the Aveo immediately catches the eye – due to its almost bus-like diameter. In this, it resembles its older relative Lacetti .Just as unsuccessfully as in the Lacetti – on the spokes are located the horn buttons, which in a moment of danger are hard to find by touch out of habit.
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| The stereo is borrowed from the older model Epica |
The seat and steering wheel can be adjusted for height, but reach adjustment is not provided even in top trims. Do you know why most women sit so close to the steering wheel? Of course, besides our obsessive desire to always see the hood. Cars are designed by men and for men, and for anatomical reasons, ladies often lack that very reach adjustment: either their arms can't reach the wheel, or their knees hit the panel. The Aveo doesn't have this inconvenience. The high-mounted gear lever also fits comfortably in hand, but…
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| The bus-like steering wheel is not very comfortable |
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| The instrument scales are clear |
But the transmission remains just as unsuccessful. Memories of the wobbly Lacetti gear lever with excessively long throws are still fresh. So when manipulating the Aveo's lever, you wish the on-board computer display between the tachometer and speedometer would show the engaged gear, as with an automatic, for confidence.
The Aveo gives a toy-like impression – light pedals, light gear lever… The car itself also seems deceptively light when the 1.2-liter engine unexpectedly and cheerfully accelerates the hatchback, although no miracles should be expected from it. Each of the 84 "horses" does what it can, maintaining briskness at 3000-4000 rpm, but you don't want to make prolonged overtakes on the highway. The Aveo's trump card is not power – whether 84 hp or 284, everyone still crawls side by side on a six-lane avenue at 5 km/h. Here the Aveo shows its agility, allowing, thanks to its small size and maneuverability, to squeeze into the most unexpected gaps, darting between lanes, gaining meter by meter.
For those who don't intend to drive only in a congested city and arrogantly squeeze the car into parking spots where SUVs didn't fit, the 1.4-liter 98-horsepower engine is a more optimal choice. On the highway, the small-displacement engine is clearly lacking, and storming a truck convoy may seem like unjustified adventurism. By the way, the Aveo 1.2 and Aveo 1.4 differ in reverse gear engagement: on the "junior" you need to recall the driving school's "sixth gear", while on the 1.4 – the "Opel-style" ring, which must be pulled up, then move the lever left and forward.
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What economy-minded buyers will appreciate, especially with current fuel prices, is fuel consumption – according to the automaker, the 1.2-liter power unit "consumes" an average of 5.5 liters per 100 km, and the 1.4-liter – 6 liters. Parking is out of the question – of course, the Aveo is not a Smart , but with its dimensions and turning radius of 5.03 meters, most potential spots in the yard and near the office will be accessible.
The Aveo clearly considers it beneath its dignity to care about such things: the glove box and trunk are clearly not its main advantages. If there are four people in the car, only supermarket bags will fit in the back, and even then with a supply for a couple of days. For a long trip, you should go either together (with the rear seats folded, the volume increases to 980 liters), or light (using the ungenerous 220 liters).
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| Glove box... |
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| ...and the trunk are not the Aveo's strongest suits |
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The Chevrolet Aveo remains a car for those seeking a good yet affordable B-class hatchback. The price of a new Aveo in the three-door body starts from 311,200 rubles, and the five-door – from 321,200 rubles. For this money, you get a car with a 1.2-liter 84-horsepower engine with a five-speed manual transmission, a space-saver spare tire, a driver's airbag, front electric windows, steering wheel height adjustment, and a built-in stereo with 4 speakers. Air conditioning, alas, will not be included, so you'll have to pay extra – up to 330,000 rubles. Prices for the car with the 1.4-liter engine are no longer so affordable: from 381,911 rubles. The "automatic" is offered only with the 1.4-liter engine – from 419,886 rubles. Prices for the five-door hatchback differ slightly. The tested car with ABS, trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, driver's seat and steering wheel height adjustment, power-adjustable and heated mirrors, fog lights, steering wheel audio controls, etc., which is quite good for a budget car, costs 374,800 rubles.
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The new Aveo has become prettier, more cheerful, and can compete with stylish and more expensive rivals at a new level. Its main advantage remains the price. The cost of the Opel Corsa with a 1.0-liter engine starts from 336,500 rubles, and for the 1.2, the minimum price already starts from 386,500 rubles. The "automatic" 1.4-liter Corsas require a minimum sum of 426,500 rubles from a potential owner. In the same league is the Ford Fiesta – from 325,000 (1.3 liters, "manual") and 377,000 rubles (1.3 liters, "robot"). Prices for the bright and dynamic Mazda2 – from 424,000 rubles, though here it's already a 1.5-liter engine, but no others are available. Perhaps the most expensive offer is from Renault in the form of the Clio – from 424,300 rubles for 1.2 liters, even without air conditioning.
In terms of affordability, the new Aveo can only be compared with the veteran Hyundai Getz: just 333,900 rubles for the base trim with a 1.4-liter engine. But you'll agree, the Getz is still a simpler car, and its look is no longer so fashionable and fresh.
It turns out that the new Aveo, having approached its rivals in design and offering decent options, has retained its price advantage. The car delivers exactly what you expect from it: no more, but no less. It will suit stylish boys and girls who haven't yet earned enough for a Peugeot 207, or as a second family car, as well as young couples who don't yet have a child and a dacha. Otherwise, you should look towards more spacious and load-carrying options.
Svetlana Aleeva