Chevrolet Aveo 1.2 S 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The 1.2litre 1206cc petrol engine responds well at all speeds but gets noisy at high revs. It has a top speed of 106 mph and a maximum of 83 bhp. Torque features of 84 lb-ft handle motorway demands well, except for uphill stretches where the steering gets numb and the car unresponsive. It has a 0-62 mph time of 12.8 seconds, which is sufficient for city traffic. Gear changes in the 5-spd manual system are natural and smooth.

The car is not fun to drive but it has sufficient grip around town. It handles bumps well, thanks to the competent suspension. The controls are light and responsive enough to match demanding start-stop traffic.

Visibility is good, thanks to large glass windows and a well-positioned rear view mirror.

The Aveo 1.2 S is designed as a small family car. It is a 5-door, 5-seater hatchback and can comfortably accommodate four people. It is stylish, attractive and conservative enough to appeal to all ages. The split front grille gives it a sophisticated touch and adds glamour to its outline. A dash of smooth, silver finish is used on the doors and dashboard to give its interiors a polished look.

In terms of equipment, Chevrolet provides essentials only in this car. Central locking, power steering, electric front windows, driver airbags, passenger airbags, front side airbags, immobilizer and alarm are standard in the 1.2 S; and for your entertainment, a CD player and MP3 port.

The steering wheel can be tilted to a comfortable position, although there are no adjustments on the driver’s seat, which leaves you to rely on the steering wheel adjustment alone. However, the pedals are well-positioned, the dashboard is clear and all the instruments are easy to use.

There is nothing spectacular about space in the Aveo 1.2 S. It has the same dimensions as most small hatchbacks. Cabin space is enough to guarantee comfortable seating for each passenger. Storage space in the cabin is limited to a small glove compartment and tiny door pockets. Any other small pack or bottle can go into the central console.

Boot space is enough for several large bags or a large box of tools. At only 220 litres with the seats up, it is overruled by most small hatchbacks. The Citroen C3, Fiat Punto Evo and KIA Rio all have more space. Fold the rear seats and it compares significantly to rivals, at 980 litres. Loading the Aveo to capacity puts a lot of demand on the engine, especially in the open road. Keep the luggage minimal if you do not want the engine to slow down.

General Motors have done an excellent engineering job on this machine. It has a sturdy body structure and is fitted with steel pillars for added protection. Chevrolet says the roof can bear 4.2 times the weight of the car in the event of an accident. Alongside the 6 airbags, remote central locking, immobilizer and electronic anti-lock braking system, this provides maximum integral safety. The car scored a 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP test, which further confirms its high safety standards.

Low prices, a strong body structure and high safety rating mean low insurance costs for you. The car is in insurance group 14. Running costs will be low, thanks to the frugal engine which returns 51.3 mpg in combined cycle. Low CO2 emissions of 130g/km help keep the car in a low road tax band. It attracts £95 under band D.

Chevrolet offers a good deal, with 5 years’ warranty and service every 10,000 miles. Do not expect much in resale value. Competition among super minis is stiff, and quality is something Chevrolet is yet to match up to.