Ireland has an enduring love affair with small saloon cars. This is something that has car manufacturers baffled as it goes totally against the grain. In Europe nine times out of ten small cars are hatchbacks, so are we mad or do we just like getting the bigger boot?
Chevrolet may be an iconic American brand but don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll be buying a piece of Americana. The Aveo was designed and built by Chevrolet Korea - the car manufacturer formerly known as GM Daewoo. The Korean arm is now totally charged with small car platform development for the General Motors group. This means GM products worldwide (like Opel) will have under-bits designed in Korea, so they should work quite well.
Aveo replaces the Kalos saloon and will be sold alongside the Kalos hatchback. Aveo may be a new name here but it has been the global Kalos name for some time. The first thing you notice about the Aveo is how the car looks surprisingly well proportioned and dare I say it - smart. It’s taller, wider, and longer and features a wide track (distance between left wheels and right) so it sits well on the road. The body now has a sophistication that wouldn’t look out of place on a bigger car. The overhangs are balanced and the wheel arches reasonably full, helped by new 14-inch wheels as standard. The notchback boot is deceptively big at 400 litres. The Chevrolet grill and big headlights and Audi-like bonnet creases will help this car sell. Aveo certainly doesn’t suffer from any of the Kalos saloon’s blandness.
Inside, the Aveo will seat five at a push. Fit and finish is decent enough with good quality plastics and general instrument layout. Chrome rimmed dials give an air of design thought. The cabin is bigger than the hatchback but if you need more cargo space the rear seat backs kick through. There is a generous level of standard equipment too, including an integrated CD stereo with iPod connection like the one you’ll find in a BMW 3 series! There is even a steering wheel mounted stereo remote control with an ‘on’ button. The steering adjusts for tilt only and has speed sensitive power assistance.
On the go, the Aveo is about transport not thrills so expect a good family tool or car to downsize or ‘retire’ into. The 1.2 version is a good little worker but the automatic 1.4 is a nice choice too if you want less hassle. Aveo has tiny turning circle so the supermarket run won’t cause problems.
Ireland will get just the one specification in three petrol model options. The big seller will be the 1.2 (72bhp), 1.4 (90bhp) or 1.4 Automatic (4 speed).
In a sector full of bland super-mini sized saloons the Aveo is perhaps the best of the bunch.
Michael Sheridan
