2005 Chevrolet Aveo Review
Add your own review or comments

By Sam Moses

Overview

The Chevrolet Aveo offers affordable transportation in a choice of four-door sedan or five-door hatchback. Starting below $10,000, the Aveo challenges the Toyota Echo, Scion xA, Kia Rio, and Hyundai Accent for the base rung of the transportation ladder. Aveo is based on the Daewoo Kalo, a Korean car that's popular in many countries around the world.

The base models are basic, but the interiors are quite nice. The front seats are comfortable and the back seats are surprisingly roomy. The Aveo looks good, particularly the sedan, and the body panels fit well. Both models get zippy performance from a twin-cam four-cylinder engine built by GM. Sharp steering makes the Aveo fun to drive, while its decent ride and reasonably quiet cabin make for pleasant transportation.

Model Lineup

The 2005 Chevy Aveo comes in three trim levels, each of which is available in the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles. All are powered by a 103-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual gearbox comes standard; an automatic ($850) is an option for LS and LT models.

Least expensive is the Special Value model ($9,455), which comes standard with single-stage airbags, halogen headlamps, vented front disc brakes, a height-adjustable driver's seat, child safety seat system, manually operated side-view mirrors, tinted glass, tilt steering wheel, 60/40 split folding rear seat, AM/FM stereo, two-speed intermittent variable wipers, and a rear window defogger. Air conditioning is not available; in fact, the only option is an engine block heater ($35). The hatchback is priced the same as the sedan, and adds a wiper/washer on the liftgate window.

LS ($11,300) adds air conditioning and carpeted floormats. Again, the hatchback costs the same as the sedan.

LT ($12,795) gets deluxe front seats, power windows, power locks with remote keyless entry, power passenger-side mirror, a CD player with MP3 capability, 14-inch aluminum wheels. The LT hatchback ($12,570) also gets a spoiler.

Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) are available on LS and LT ($400). The CD/MP3 stereo is offered on LS ($300); while LT models can be ordered with six-speaker premium sound ($250). A power sunroof ($725) can be ordered on LT.