Chevy Aveo First Drive from Fifth Gear. Part III.

Should I give it garage space?

Chevrolet may have inspired more songs than any other car make, but it seems very unlikely that an Aveo will ever act as a muse to an aspiring songwriter.

While there is nothing downright bad about it, there is a huge list of things that just aren't quite right about it. Neither engine really shifts it, and the drive is uninspiring, to say the least, but that's just the start of it. Throw in the rather tight rear accommodation and the lack of refinement, and you're looking at a car that already feels behind the times before it's even gone on sale.

Rating

When you consider that, for much the same money as a basic Aveo, you could buy something like a Skoda Fabia, a Kia Rio or even a Vauxhall Corsa, it's not hard to see that there are plenty of better ways to spend your money than on an Aveo. Perhaps more than anything, the Aveo serves only to show just how far the budget end of the market has moved on.

If the final price turns out to be a good deal cheaper than first estimates, perhaps that might change. But, even with an estimated starting price of £7500 - which is low in anyone's book - it's hard to overlook the Aveo's shortcomings.

Specification

Model: Chevrolet Aveo 1.2 S
On sale: May 2008
Price: £7500 (estimated)
Engine: 1206cc four cylinder petrol
Power: 84bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque: 70lb ft @ 3800rpm
Performance: 0-62mph in 13.0 seconds, 107mph top speed
Fuel economy: 51.4mpg (combined)
CO2 emissions: 132g.km

Chevy Aveo First Drive from Fifth Gear. Part I.
Chevy Aveo First Drive from Fifth Gear. Part II.