2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 LT

Giametta’s Driveway

By Chuck Giametta

2009 CHEVROLET AVEO5 LT
Couldn’t we do it better?

What are you driving? A subcompact copped from South Korea. Chevy slaps its own grille on the tiny Daewoo Kalos (GM owns 51 percent of Daewoo), and markets the thing here as one of the lowest-priced cars in the U.S. The 2009 Chevy Aveo comes as a four-door sedan and a four-door hatchback; the latter is called the Aveo5 – because it has “five” doors.    

How much does it cost? Four doors or five, the base price for the entry-level 2009 Chevrolet Aveo LS model is an enticing $11,460. But to get such basic necessities as air conditioning and a CD player, you’ve got to step up to the LT model. It starts at $13,595. The Aveo5 test car was an LT optionally equipped with four-speed automatic transmission ($925), Power and Convenience Package (power windows and locks and remote keyless entry; $425), antilock brakes ($440), and cruise control ($250). Manufacturer’s suggested retail price was $16,295, including the $660 destination fee.  

Is it worth it? Not quite. The price climbs quickly once you start adding the bare necessities and, for about the same money as our test 2009 Chevy Aveo5 LT, there are economical small cars that are roomier and far more satisfying to drive. Check out the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Fit, or Nissan Versa, for example.  

What’s to like? Fuel economy is the main attraction: a combined city/highway rating of 28 mpg puts the 2010 Chevrolet Aveo5 near the top of the EPA’s rating for subcompact cars. And GM’s OnStar assistance service is standard, though it requires a monthly subscription fee. The diminutive 2009 Chevy Aveo5 is easy to maneuver and park, it rides with surprising smoothness, and doesn’t feel underpowered as long as you’re willing to floor the throttle to pass or merge. The hatchback body style has by its nature good cargo versatility, but the Aveo5’s rear seat is so awkwardly difficult to fold completely that you may find yourself avoiding this advantage.    

What does it need? Curtain side airbags are not available and would enhance the feeling of safety. So would better resistance to wandering in crosswinds and a more solid sound when you slam a door or the hatch lid. Steering that doesn’t feel as if it’s connected to the front wheels by rubber straps would benefit driving enjoyment. And a back seat with some knee space to go along with its good head room would be great. How about some new instrument lighting? The unappetizing hue used here might be on Benjamin Moore’s color chart as “sickly green.”   

What’s Chevy’s opinion? “The fuel-efficient Chevrolet Aveo is an uncompromising performer, with a great design, a smooth, safe driving experience and amenities that are rare in the segment.”

What do you say? Don’t be rash just to save gas. Other than riding nicely for such a small, light car, the Aveo5 does nothing particularly well and feels unsubstantial against many similarly priced competitors.  

Vital statistics 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 LT

• Base price: $13,595

• Price of test car including options and $660 destination fee: $16,295

• Size: 155 inches long, 97.6-inch wheelbase, 2,557-pound base curb weight

• Engine: 106-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder; front-wheel drive

• Fuel economy: 25 mpg city/ 34 highway (EPA ratings)

• Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 5/100,000 powertrain

• Safety ratings (versus similarly sized cars) on government’s five-star scale: Frontal crash protection, five stars. Side crash protection, four stars.  

Automotive journalist Chuck Giametta has covered the auto industry for more than 20 years as a newspaper reporter, Executive Auto Editor of Consumer Guide books and magazines, and as Managing Editor, Iguida.com. This test vehicle was provided by the manufacturer.