Chevrolet Aveo 1.2 LT Car Review - February 2012

The Aveo 1.2 LT is nippy around town, responding well to constant stop/start and braking. It has adequate grip, which helps the car to respond well at different speeds. Suspension is firm and suppresses the impact of bumps and rough terrains well, although it is not involving and does not provide any thrills.

It has a 4-cylinder 1.2 litre petrol engine and is supported by a five-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. Gear changes are smooth and response is sharp. The engine responds best when worked hard and is sluggish at low speeds. It reaches its maximum power of 85 bhp at 6000 rpm. It has a top speed of 106 mph and goes from 0-62 mph in 13.4 seconds, thus competing favourably with rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa.

Engine noise disrupts the rather comfortable ride. There is little you can do to subdue the noise, unless you drive at very low speeds at which the engine response is poor. The large glass windows provide good forward visibility for the driver. Rear viewing is somewhat blocked by the large C-pillars at the back.

The LT has the same good looks as the rest of the Aveo range. It has a solid build, with chunky styling and appealing aesthetics. Motor-cycle-inspired headlights and a horizontal front grille give it a distinct outline. Its spacious hatchback design is family friendly. A 5-door, 5-seater small family car, it can accommodate four adults comfortably. Five can squeeze in for short drives.

The LT trim is the most comprehensively equipped and best value for money in the range. It comes with central locking, ABS, alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, driver airbags, passenger airbags, front side airbags, CD player, Bluetooth connectivity and Aux-in stereo socket with steering-wheel mounted controls.

The LT has all the standard car safety features including central locking, anti-lock braking system (ABS), stability control, 3-point seat belts and Isofix child seat mountings. The car is sturdily built too, enhancing safety levels. It scored a 5-star in the Euro NCAP rating, which speaks favourably of the car’s safety standard.

Chevrolet put in considerable effort in getting the engineering and quality right in the Aveo. While it still needs a lot of working-on to match up-market brands such as Volkswagen and Audi, there is no indication that the LT will have mechanical problems. The 5 year, 100,000 mile warranty will protect you should that happen.

The LT compares to other super-minis well in terms of space. Both the front and rear spaces enjoy adequate leg and headroom. Interior storage in the glove compartment and door pockets is average. Boot space, which measures 290 litres, is standard for this class.

The steering wheel is fully adjustable for reach and rake and ensures a good driving position. The seats, though nowhere near luxurious, are supportive. The interior is neat even without the luxurious material used on more upmarket models. The dashboard features a simple layout and the instruments are easy to read and use.

The LT is favourably priced compared to other super-minis. But it lacks the high levels of refinement in up-market models. This affects its residual value.

The car is a good fuel consumer. It returns 60.9 mpg in combined cycle. Compared to Ford Fiesta’s 50.4 mpg, the LT will give more savings over the long run. It is far from being a class leader, and the Vauxhall Corsa gives a better return at 67. 3 mpg.

Low price, low running costs and high safety rating attract low insurance premiums, thus lowering your operating costs.