The creators of the new Chevrolet Aveo sedan are confident that their creation is the most affordable option for a family that needs one car for everything: for city trips, for carrying five passengers, and for luggage. Sales of this new model will start in March in Russia, Spain, and Turkey.
2006 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan
© Photo: Chevrolet
The new Aveo, made in South Korea, is available in two versions. The first version has a 1.2-liter gasoline engine producing 72 horsepower and a five-speed manual transmission. The second version gets a 94-horsepower 1.4-liter engine, which can be paired with either the same manual or a four-speed automatic. In terms of design, the car has clearly kept pace with the times. Compared to its predecessor, the sedan has become noticeably larger: length increased by 75 mm, width by 40 mm, and height by 10 mm. Visually, this has benefited the car—it looks more solid and even more dynamic.
But appearance is not the main trump card. The Aveo wins over with its practicality. For example, the trunk has grown by 20 liters and now holds 400 liters. The rear seat folds in a 40/60 split, and since there is no solid partition with the trunk, it turns out to be an almost ideal car for country trips. A space-saver spare wheel is hidden under the flat trunk floor. ABS and front airbags for the driver and passenger are already standard.
The interior at first glance seems austere. But once you get used to it, you begin to appreciate the restrained black-gray-silver color scheme, comfortable seats, and neat dashboard design, where only the most necessary instruments are placed. Everything secondary has been moved to the console between the front seats. The plastic does not feel rough and does not look cheap. The seat upholstery is made of non-marking synthetic material, which once again emphasizes the purely utilitarian approach of the creators of this small Chevrolet. Adjustments are not impressive in variety: the steering wheel adjusts only for height, and the seats move mechanically. However, the top trim includes front power windows, power mirrors, climate control, and 15-inch wheels.
The first to be tested was the Aveo with the 1.4 engine (94 hp) and five-speed manual. Before moving off, you notice another important detail: inside, the car gives a feeling of calm and some modest, almost homey coziness. Nothing provokes aggressive driving. The soft and torquey engine is clearly made for the city. The manufacturer claims a 0-100 km/h time of 11.1 seconds and a top speed of 176 km/h. And with such good dynamics, average fuel consumption is 6.7 liters per 100 km. A very decent result!
2006 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan
© Photo: Chevrolet
After the first few turns, you realize: the car handles excellently. Even sharp corners at 70–80 km/h are taken easily and very accurately, although body roll is considerable. The comfortable cruising speed on the highway is 110–130 km/h. If you go faster, aerodynamic noise begins to penetrate the cabin, and the engine becomes more audible. At 150 km/h, behavior worsens—the car starts to wander, especially noticeable in crosswinds or when overtaking a truck. Moreover, after 145 km/h, the Aveo responds reluctantly to the accelerator pedal. Nevertheless, the liking for the car that arose at first acquaintance has not disappeared but only strengthened: we have a typical budget family sedan—unhurried, predictable, and reliable.
2006 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan
© Photo: Chevrolet
Next came the turn of the more modest version with a 1.2-liter engine (72 hp), five-speed manual, and 13-inch wheels. Switching to a less powerful car in a basic trim is usually always a bit sad—you expect dynamics and comfort to suffer noticeably. But here everything turned out to be not so clear-cut. Inside, almost everything is the same, only without climate control and with manual mirror adjustment. It turned out that this version also has a different gearbox, though also five-speed. The 1.2 engine may seem weak to some, but the car drives quite decently. However, there are nuances. If the 1.4-liter engine sags at high revs, the "little one" lacks torque at low revs. It is also noisier. But to be fair, the Aveo calmly accelerates to 130 km/h and confidently holds that speed even on slight inclines.
Overall, impressions of the 1.2 version were better than expected. The main indicators are as follows: cruising speed—90–110 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 13.7 seconds, top speed—157 km/h. The car accelerates slowly, but you have to stop at the gas station less often: on average, it consumes only 6.4 liters per 100 km.
Among the drawbacks, it is worth noting the imprecise gear shifting on both versions with a manual gearbox. In the back seat, if the front seat is pushed back, only a child will sit comfortably. And five people in the cabin are, to put it mildly, cramped. Nevertheless, the Chevrolet Aveo is a worthy rival for classmates in its price niche. And when the two-liter diesel appears, whose debut in Russia is also expected, the Korean sedan will become a truly unique offering on the market.
Technical specifications of Chevrolet Aveo 1.2 (1.4)
Body – sedan
Curb weight, kg – 1047
Gross weight, kg – 1540
Dimensions, mm:
- length – 4310
- width – 1710
- height – 1505
Wheelbase, mm – 2480
Trunk volume, l – 400
Top speed, km/h – 157 (176)
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, s – 13.7 (11.1)
Fuel consumption, l/100 km:
- city cycle – 8.4 (8.9)
- highway – 5.2 (5.4)
- combined – 6.4 (6.7)
Engine:
- type – gasoline, 4-cyl., inline, SOHC, 8-valve (DOHC, 16-valve)
- displacement, cm3 – 1150 (1399)
- power, hp at rpm – 72/5400 (94/6200)
- torque, Nm at rpm – 104/4400 (130/3400)
Transmission – manual, 5-speed, front-wheel drive
Tire size – 155/80R13 (185/55R15)
Suspension:
- front – McPherson
- rear – trailing arm, torsion beam
Brakes:
- front – ventilated discs
- rear – drums
Steering – rack and pinion
Price, $ – from 11,500 (from 12,500).
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Excellent handling, moderately stiff suspension.
– Imprecise gear shifting.
© 5 Koleso