Introducing the 2007 Aveo Sedan
EDITOR'S NOTE: A special video was prepared for the launch of the all-new 2007 Aveo on Aug. 17th. It follows two typical customers on a road trip from New York City to Chicago for the Lollapalooza music festival. Along the way they walk you through Aveo's features and substance, mixing in a little fun and some great music while they're at it. The video offers a hip, fresh approach to a day in the life of typical Aveo customers and what they appreciate in this value-packed vehicle. Take a look at the video here.
By Ed Peper
Chevrolet General Manager
With the incredible growth of the economy car segment in the past year, it's vital for manufacturers to continually innovate, update and change the game. Well, that's what Chevy is doing right now.
Two years ago, we brought our all-new Aveo to market, as "the small car that thinks big." And now, we defy the norms of the auto industry by introducing a new Aveo Sedan for the 2007 model year. Aveo has been the sales leader in this segment virtually since its introduction, and this dynamite new four-door promises to continue that trend.
We'll be holding a press conference and webcast to announce our new 37-mile-per-gallon Aveo tomorrow, Aug. 17th, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The conference will be accessible through this link.
I hope you plan to tune in and see our latest news. We're ready to show you how this totally new Aveo Sedan thinks "even bigger"!
Please make plans to join us. And thanks!
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Its about time. The Yaris and Fit have been taking your sales.
Now, 37MPG? How about city driving? Thats where the Aveo falls short.
Also, I checked your pricing on the 2007 Aveo Sedan. While the 2006 model started at $9999, this new model starts at over $12,000. Add a few necessary options and the price is in Cobalt territory. Why?
Its made in Korea, it should be cheaper. I think you’re making a big mistake with your pricing because the Fit is most likely a better car for about the same dough.
Be prepared to reduce those prices.
I was impressed the Aveo got the lowest total cost of ownership from edmunds. I would like to know more about the changes to see if it something I would be excited to drive.
Mr. Pepper,
Now you’re talking. That’s the way to make some news.
How about a Buick counterpart to the Aveo? I could be called a Buick REO. That would get the press wondering and asking questions.
The new Aveo is already available here in Toronto (as well as a Pontiac version) and it looks great. I was really impressed with the interior (better than the Cobalt) and even the exterior looks very nice for a compact car.
However, GM really needs to get better mileage out of this car (in particular in the City) as fuel efficiency is very important in this class and Toyota’s new Yaris has it beat in that regard. Also, where is the hatchback version that are the real sellers up here.
Yeah, 37MPG HIGHWAY WITH THE MANUAL. When will we see competitive city and mixed driving EPA ratings with an automatic though? Come on GM, you can do better. This is what causes bad perception with the general public. You may lead by a few MPG with your trucks and SUVs, but you really gotta bring your mileage ratings up on your cars, especially your compacts like the Aveo. People shopping for compacts really put mileage high up on their list, and the Aveo falls way short in that category. A first class interior or an exterior that hasn’t been hit with the ugly stick means nothing if people see that the Aveo lags so far behind in mileage ratings compared to it’s competitors.
It almost seems better than the Cobalt. But didn’t i see some disturbingly bad crash tests from Europe? Daewoo, er… I mean Chevy is making better and better compact cars now a days.
Ed,
It’s a really nice looking small car, however the gas mileage is really poor for a vehicle so small. One can get a larger Corolla with a proven track record that will get at least 40 mpg. So why bother sacrificing size when you can get a larger Corolla that beats the Aveo in gas mileage.
Perhaps you should look at a diesel option for the USA, then you’d get acceptable mileage figures.
Mike O
Vantaa, Finland
Dear Mr. Peper,
the 2007 Aveo really seems to be an excellent sub-compact so far. It’s on sale in Europe since a few months.
My proposals for Central- and Western Europe:
1.
Offer this vehicle with the same 1.6-engine (103 HP) like in other countries, not only with the 1.4 (94 HP).
2.
Please, provide additional features, like cruise-control, which is available for the US-market. As I saw at the GM DAT-website, this car (Daewoo Gentra) is also offered with an upscale interior (wood-trim etc.). I think, we should get this over here, too, because I strongly believe, that’s extra appealing to those customers, who prefer a classic sedan. Some journalists over here seriously are comparing the 2007 Aveo to the Dacia Logan, what is ridiculous in my opinion. The more upscale the Aveo looks, the stronger is the separation…
3.
In Central- and Western Europe there’s basically a higher demand for hatchbacks than for 4-doors. So, if it’s viable, regarding the costs, I would consider to add a hatchback-version of the 2007 Aveo, even more, since this model could replace the Kalos, when it’s life-cycle ends.
4.
Do some more promotion, especially pointing on your Matiz, Kalos and Aveo. These are the vehicles Chevrolet is gaining market-share in Europe. But still a lot of people, also here in Germany, don’t even know about their existence! This situation should be changed ASAP. Furthermore Chevrolet Germany should emphasize this LPG-issue, what provides a considerable advantage against the competition. Don’t forget: We pay 6.50$ per Gallon.
Thanks for paying attention.
Mr. Peper please add a “variable valve timing” to the engine of Aveo so that gas mileage will be closer to Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit! I cannot comprehend why? 1) You market a Cobalt 2.2L without VVT which has gas mileage almost similar to Cobalt with 2.4L VVT engine; 2) A Saturn Vue which is heavier than HHR has a base engine of 2.2L only; 3) You’re selling an Aveo 1.6L which can deliver gas mileage almost similar to 2.2L & 2.4L Cobalt. Why? Why? Why?
Good job GM. 37mpg is a lot more like it, especially for something the size of an Aveo.
If you break 40mpg, I might consider buying a GM vehicle.
I am glad that GM small cars are becoming very competetive,but make sure Chevrolet brings Camaro and new Holden-based cars to Europe.Such good vehicles shouldn’t be sold only in NA and Australia,Chevrolet nameplate deserves cars I mentioned in Europe!
best wishes
Wow, If J.D. Power and Associates had an award for bland and cheesy sedans this baby would win hands down! You guys can do better than that.
In response to a comment made on the webcast regarding younger people wanting the new Aveo, I have evidence that your market research may be off a bit. I’m a 40 something year old male and I like the Aveo design better than the Yaris, Fit etc. But the 20 something kid that works for me just told me he likes the Fit much better. Seems the design of the Aveo is too conservative for the young folk. But appeals more to old fogies like me who is not currently looking for an economy car.
I wish GM all the best with this car. It’s an improvement over last year’s Aveo/Wave.
Let’s do a mileage comparison:
Manual:
Aveo 27/37
Honda Fit 33/38
Toyota Yaris 34/40
Auto:
Aveo 26/34
Honda Fit 31/38
Toyota Yaris 34/39
As you can see the Aveo has worst in class fuel economy. Now I’m sure the Aveo will keep selling for a while because it’s way cheaper then the Fit and way better looking then the Yaris, but at some point here the Aveo is going to stop selling.
So how about you guys get ahead of that and actually try to build a competitive American made sub-compact. It can be done all you have to do is engineer it so it can be built in the same plant as the Cobalt to keep costs down.
Keep in mind everyone that the ‘07 Aveo sedan is only a reskinning of the ‘06 model. They’ve managed to squeeze 3 more mpg out of the same engine, they’ve updated the interior to look a LOT better, they’ve given it more features, too. The car looks a LOT more substantial. Good job, GM.
If GM keeps the base model’s price down to around $10-11k, they’ll have something. The Fit gets mileage that’s BARELY better than the ‘07 Aveo, but even if Chevy sells the Aveo at $12k, the Fit STARTS $3,000 higher. That’s not a small margin.
Now I’m curious as to why only the sedan is getting updated for ‘07, while the 5-door hatchback waits another season.
I’m planning on buying a new car in about a year, and it’s going to be a vehicle in this segment. The Rio is off my short list because its interior is like a trash can liner. The Yaris sedan isn’t all that small, and it’s mud fence ugly. The Fit would get more consideration if it were priced competitively, but it’s expensive. The new Accent is a possibility, but it’s pretty drab. The Versa looks nice, but its fuel economy is WORSE than the ‘07 Aveo’s. So I’ve had my eyes set on the new Suzuki Swift that’s about to make it to our shores. But if the ‘07 Aveo proves to be competitive with that model, I will give it strong consideration, as well. I’m 23 and I’ll be working hard for my first new car.
37 mpg — Whoopee! My 1981 Plymouth Champ (a re-badged Mitsubishi) got 50mpg at 50 mph in clam conditions. It only got in the upper 40’s driving the national speed limit of 55 mph. It’s been 25 years and you’re not even close. With all the technical advancements we should have non-hybrid full size sedans that get 40 mpg.
You hit the nail on the head Beken. Im 22 years old and I would rather ride a bike then drive this thing. Forget about the fuel economy stuff, this car looks as wimpy as can be. I dont know weather you drive it or try to take its lunch money!
This post is addressed to Benjamin Howard:
The Aveo sedan gets 1mpg less hwy than the Fit. And while the Yaris gets 3 better and both have better city ratings, you conveniently forgot to mention the following:
Kia Rio MT: 32/35
Hyundai Accent MT: 32/35
Nissan Versa MT: 30/34
Scion xA MT: 32/37
The Aveo’s city mileage is lower, but it beats or ties four of its six major competitors on the highway. And again, keep in mind that this is a FACELIFT and yet they’ve managed to extract 3 more mpgs out of the SAME ENGINE. That IS progress.
I might have mentioned this before: My 1985 Nissan Sentra, which I bought with 130,000+ miles on it, consistently delivered 39 to 41 mpg in my daily (mostly freeway) commuting, and never less than 28 mpg in pure city driving; this with a carbureted 1300cc powerplant, and 5 speed manual transmission.
The Nissan had better legroom and headroom than the Chev Cavalier that eventually replaced it (because of terminal rust, not mechanical failure).
For comparison, my daughter’s 1993 Buick Century consistently delivers 31 mpg on the highway, cruising “slightly” in excess of posted speed limits, with the A/C on. It has a V6 and auto transmission. I don’t think it has quite the headroom or legroom of the Nissan.
The Aveo doesn’t deliver the economy of the Nissan and lacks the plushness of the Buick; I really don’t see Aveo as a better alternative to other Asian-built cars, especially when I can get a comparable (or better) Korean-made Hyundai or Kia for less money, better finance rates, and- most compelling- a warranty that won’t expire until after the loan is paid off.
Still looking for a minivan that converts into a pickup truck; I think Hyundai is interested in the idea.
This car looks like the answer to the consumption guzzlers we have amassed in NA. Just returned from Europe and was refreshed to see so many small and mid-sized cars there. Maybe this car will be enough to motivate us back to reason…. Thanks for the post.
To Fred S:
Like I already mentioned before, people shouldn’t forget, that cars became significantly heavier during the past, because of more comfort- and safety-gear! For that reason you can’t expect today’s cars being THAT dramatically more fuel-efficient than 10 or 20 years ago, despite of technical advancements. By the way, electronic fuel-injection, enhanced ignition-systems, aerodynamic shape or 5-speed-manual transmissions also already had been applied in the mid-80’s! So, I believe, it’s unrealistic to expect tremendous improvements in fuel-efficiency all the time.
I think this will be a highly successful car. It looks better than the average econobox, has lots of modern safety and convenience features, and is a great value. Good job GM!
The Aveo has a real place in the market — everyone should know by now that the Aveo isn’t class leading.
By the same token, GM has been careful to include features in the Aveo that are simply NOT available in most competative models. So the Aveo remains a valid choice — humble but valid.
Why can’t GM bring over some of their small (compact and economy) cars they sell in Europe under the Opel and Vauxhall badges. They have the Corsa and Astra cars which are both well regarded, new in the case of the Corsa and fuel efficient. GM needs to make more of their small European cars.
Well, that’s a little off-topic, but did anybody read Tony Paradiso’s response at the Nashua’s Telegraph to Mr. Brian Akre’s (GM) letter?
If Mr. Paradiso seriously is of the opinion, GM would build “inferior products”, since there are “only” three GM-brands above industry-average at the latest JD-Power-ranking, then look at the results of the German manufacturers! If he calls GM-products already “inferior”, then consequently German cars would be nothing but pure trash! Mr. Akre seems to be right, Mr. Paradiso isn’t familiar with the industry. At least he obviously has lost any relativity!
We sold the first two we got in within a day each. Both sold to young people, accompanied by parents. One looked at Toyota and Honda before coming to our dealership.
As to the gas mileage, one could hope for better, but the vehicle is selling because of its price/value perception. Keep in mind, we only have the sedan at this time, the five-door has appealed to the younger set a little more, it seems, so the best may be yet to be. I wouldn’t bet against this car, only time will tell.
I really wish the auto industry would stop using the EPA highway estimate to advertise the fuel economy of their vehicles. I know GM didn’t start this, I believe the first time I saw it was in a Toyota or Honda ad. The highway estimate is very misleading, and practically meaningless unless your daily commute is on a desolate stretch of interstate in Wyoming. The City estimate isn’t even mentioned anymore, which is closer to what consumers will see in actual use. I think the only way to stop it at this point would be for the EPA to drop the highway rating test, which is a meaningless number anyway in the real world.
For GM the profits are probably not in the Aveo. However it is a good vehicle for public perception and to keep buyers in the fold.
I would recommend the following ad campaign to promote the mileage of the larger vehicles which are more profitable:
CONSERVE ENERGY…
CONSERVE YOUR LIFESTYLE…
Now show a life style (examples: going to dinner – Impala, Going to beach – SUV, sport driving – Corvette, etc)
Then show the vehicle in the background and flash the name of the vehicle and the highway mileage.
Have separate commercials for each lifestyle. You could get very creative here.
I don’t know!
I mean you have Toyota doing the Scion and now your getting hit with the Fit and Yaris. Then you got the Cube. Now Daimler wants to launch the Smart lineup next year. Then you have Volkswagen doing the Rabbit and the Beatles. Not to mention BMW and the Mini.
Now you got the #1 automaker with help from one of the lowest cost and fastest growing automakers in the world, Daewoo going up against the hottest and most competative segments, with gas prices going through the roof…well you get the picture.
So like I said, I don’t know…but I will say this. No car or segment is unimportant and this segment is where you highlight your fuel efficiency prowess. Along with that you are making a first impression on first time buyers that may shape their opinion for life.
So like I said, I don’t know but the timing is perfect and no time is a bad time for a new car, still, I think we could have done a little more. Think out of the box if you will with a Mini or the Honda Civic CRX Si, even Honda was not sharp enouph to keep that one.
And by the way, that Opel Corsa should have been here a long, long time ago. I was glad when I had the pleasure of seeing the cutest small car in the world but wondered at the same time why I had to travel 5,000 miles away and an ocean away from GM’s home just to see it.
In short, General Motors needs to bring General Motors to this category too.
As many of the posts here state, the Aveo’s fuel economy is UNDERWHELMING. Once again, GM tries to market itself out of being runner-up from poor managment, and insults the consumer’s intelligence.
Segment leader… who cares?! “Segment” is relevant only to GM, not to car buyers. Older Corollas and the new, larger, Civic beat the Aveo in MPG. And let’s talk about reputation, reliability, and resale, shall we?
As Chevrolet’s 8% vs. Toyota’s 24% market share in California shows, GM’s days of fooling and bullying the market is over. This seems to be clear to everyone but GM’s decision makers.
I’m disappointed to see that the hatchback isn’t getting a similar refresh, because I have a soft spot for that little car. At the very least, GM should offer a sport package to give it a little edge like the xA and Fit.
Could it be that, by releasing a sub-par small car, GM is hoping to make the “people don’t want small cars” myth a reality?
Maybe I need my tin foil hat adjusted.
I hope you guys are paying attention to the comments on this blog. You are getting some excellent input, day after day.
Take a look at the excellent mileage comparison posted by Benjamin Howard, 8/17, 3:20 PM. To compete in the marketplace, you have to get your mileage as good as, or better than, these other cars.
You can do it. Get some weight out of the thing, and give some more attention to the engine management system. The Fit has a 5 speed automatic. The Versa has a CVT or a 6 speed manual. The Yaris weighs about 2250 pounds (the real answer).
Some days ago, a blogger suggested using the 1.4 Ecotec. Sounds like a good idea to me, if this engine can’t get the job done. As I said that day, Jon Moss would swap it in there in a heartbeat.
As I have said a dozen times before, the Corvette racing team could give you killer mileage in about 6 months if you gave them the assignment and told them it was as important as winning Le Mans and Sebring. It is actually more important.
Of course it is inevitable that high mileage and “green” cars will be coming out with the very high price of gasoline.
As in the past, auto consumers will acclimate to the price of gasoline, and not only that the rapid ascent of gas prices only means there will be a precipitious decline. I say this from what has happened in the past (when gas prices spiked then leveled) and because of the “green” vehicles coming out from all the manufactures. This will not only have a real effect on gas prices, but a psychological one.
Therefore a return to lower m.p.g. vehicles is inevitable.
I like how people rant and rave about the mileage ratings and compare them to what they claim to get with their own ten year old vehicles.
Shouldn’t it be stated that the ratings that the manufactures give are math based and depending upon who is driving, the car will perform accordingly?
BTW, for the person stating that GM has no competitive midsize car, I’ll gladly take the Aura over the ugly as sin Camry.
Looks to me like everything about the new Aveo is a hit except the fuel economy. I loved the interior in person. But the fact that it only manages 37mpg highway with pretty miserable 0-60 performance is almost embarrassing.
So I was thinking this morning that GM should invest heavily in a line of intensively green, high mileage vehicles all under one umbrella, where building the Saturn Green Line brand would be the most natural choice. I’m not just talking about hybrid versions of the Vue and Aura, but also one or two specialized models that pull out all the stops with fuel economy. Ultra lightweight materials, low-rolling resistance chassis, EV1 type aerodynamics, and super efficient powertrains of both hybrid and non-hybrid varieties, maybe expanding into a full electric again. This is not only a growing niche market to be exploited, but would be a major PR maneuver to outstrip Toyota’s Prius magic.
There are plenty of people with money who’ll spend big to get the greenest thing going. Look at the Tesla roadster, a nearly 6-figure all-electric sports car that sold out immediately. How about buying Tesla?
Sure, the reality is a bunch of rich people who fancy themselves pro-environment will end up driving their electric cars to the yacht club so they can go burn 500 gallons on a pleasure cruise, but no matter. People need to associate GM as a company with a strong environmental conscience (hello, they don’t, right or wrong!), and trickling out hybrid models and an experimental hydrogen car is likely not to create that effect. Think of what turning around the green perception could do for your horrible CA market share?
The problem is that GM has not demonstrated the corporate resolve to do its own fuel economy “moon shot,” and I’m not convinced they’re pouring enough resources even into the hydrogen fuel cell, when the much smaller Honda corp. can steal their thunder with its own production announcements. And as long as that is the soul of the corporation, GM will continue to see their image and market share slip. Sadly.
-Bob Larson
2004 Corvette coupe
2005 Envoy XUV
Maybe I am a “day late, and a dollar short” but is the Aveo another name for the Aerio from Suzuki? Or, vice-versa? They look VERY similar!
just wondering.
The problem with GM is that they continue to lack any understanding of how to maintain the integrity of their upscale brands. They launched their “platforms” with the Malibu, then the SAAB, then the G6, the BLS and finally the Aura. Any decent brand doesn’t launch a product with your cheap stuff first. When the perception is that the BLS or 9-3 is a tarted-up Malibu, it makes it tough to justify the expensive stuff. The product launch of this platform, or any future shared platforms should be the expensive stuff first. The product launch for any future should begin with Caddy/SAAB/Hummer, then Buick, then Pontiac/Saturn, then Chevy. Look at the negative noise we hear about the fact that the MKZ is based off of the Fusion, which is based off a Mazda 6. The MKZ should have come first, then trickle down to the entry level brands.
Hmmmm. I can wait, buy a Elantra(2007) with leatherette, saem stuff as a top of the line, fully loaded Aveo, for same price, and similar MPG. Exception? 10/100K warranty at Hyundai. Oh, and the car might weigh 2,800 or so lbs, but have around 138HP.
To GM personel:
The Aveo LOOKS good. Problem?
Friend of ours had an older Lanos(saem car as this, of course, Aveo is “updated” some). At 45,000, he needed 4 wheel bearings replaced(about 18 months back).
Luckily, for him, he did not need to travel too far for replacement parts, and warranty work, as he told us, a Chevy dealership took care of it for him.
He got rid of it 6 months later.
He got a Neon.
He is about 30.
That does nothing to bolster my confidence enough to consider buying on of these.
Also, any “top guys” reading this? I hope so. Why?
I wanna see GM do better in the marketplace, even though I currently own a Sonata and a Scion tC.
Scion tC, automatic, 160HP, similar size and weight of Cobalt(?), gets 32-34MPG hwy, and 30-31 city. Worst was 28.9, when new.
Cobalt perhpas gets similar MPG, but, 18 HP less(and NOT as much interior room. My father inlaw is 6′ tall, and has headroom in the tC, he can Not sit in the Cobalt, like he does his trucks or the tC, which is straight, upright position). His wife had a 90 Cavalier for 213,000, and only needed an alternator, and got 34MPG(same as todays’ Cobalt).
I think the Old 90 was better than the new Cobalt.
Look ya want my business? make cars that don’t need brake pads every 20-25K(mainly hwy) miles, like the inlaws Cavalier did(and have heard others complain of 200 cavalier doing the same).
My cars get 90-120K before replacing any brake pads.
HHR? We liked it, Except, why the odd driving positioning?
Like having to Reach Up to drive the thing, which is NOT COOL.
That killed the deal for us.
My spouse adn I drove about 20 minutes, and both had complained of the steering wheel (not enough down travel, and dash positioning is akin to a Semi-Truck!).
even with the seat raised, it was not comfortable, like the PT Cruiser was that we test drove.
Your cars are either too cramped, or have oddball (Uncomfortable_) positioning of steering columns/dashes…. why do I wanna drive with my hands at shoulder position, when they are usually chest height, or slightly lower?
HHR is not bad, BUT PLEASE, go sit in the PT, and do the exact same thing, for dash/steering column/seating positions.
Aveo?
Maybe add 5/100K, and 4/60K warranty would help, get us import drivers to check it out.
As for Opels? forget it.
You show 3 door vehicles,that would “out cool” Scion(like the 3 door Antara concept) then tell us we get (BORING-ME TOO) 5 doors at Saturn.
Guess ya don’t want youth/import conquest sales?
GM, please, get your acts together, and soon.
Also, we only had been to 4 dealerships in Ohio and Indiana, and only 1 was great. 2 refused to let us test drive the HHR!
1) Fix dealerships attitudes, if possible
2) Fix your vehicles(add more room, fix it for drivers aren’t punished, with better positioning of steering column/dash/seating)
3)add some more warranty.
Thanks.
Not trying to nasty, but someone (import buyer) gotta speak up.
PS: won’t buy Nissan,again, since our 97 200sx was total junk by 67,000 miles.
So, I am not “one company/imports only” fan.
PT is big on our list.
Thank you Bob Larson, 8/29/06/3:27 PM.
Absolutely, positively, 100% right!
Gee, bashing cars must be fun.
I held my breath when the Aveo came out. I thought it would be under-supported by GM. I was wrong. I thought it would be a hasty effort, but after a car clinic I realized I was wrong. I thought it couldn’t have a refined engine or good ride, but as Vince Burlapp pointed out on his blog, I was wrong.
The Aveo came out of nowhere, and with unexpected success. It’s easy to point out advantages of the Yaris (but didn’t its predecessor, the Echo, fail in the marketplace while the Aveo is a resounding success?); the Fit (but what’s economical about a $16k economy car that’s no bigger than the Aveo?); the xA. Or to point out the slightly better city gas mileage on some of those cars.
BUT when you compare actual selling prices, the minor actual gas mileage differences are moot, unless you are purely going for bragging rights. Meanwhile the new transferable, extended powertrain warranty with road service simply blows me away.
Send your kid to college in one of these and pocket the savings.
Ed,
I was browsing around and came across the new Opel Astra. Not only is that car a beautiful five-door, but the 1.7L diesel engine gives it almost 50mpg while keeping a decent 0-60 time. That’s the kind of car I’d love to buy.
When will GM be bringing it to the US, if ever? And will it have the diesel engine?
Mr. Peper: The increased width of the new Aveo with it’s attractive new look, refined interior and competitive price should boost sales.
Maybe Chevy could offer a LTZ model with a 6-way power seat, side head curtain air bags and 5-speed automatic. The competition offer these features and the 5-speed automatic will help the MPG.
When will the updated 5-Door be available?
I had an opportunity to drive a 2006 Aveo sedan for a two-week vacation. Put 3400 miles on the rental. My trip included the Rocky Mountain states. I found the car seats comfortable, engine peppy once you got it moving and 37-40 mpg, all 100% highway. I was very pleased with the Aveo and would recommend it.
Great looking car, competitively priced, reasonably spunky engine, etc. I’d seriously consider this car if it was about $3500 less than a Toyota Yaris or Honda Fit. Why the discount? Mainly questionable reliably of a Daewoo product.
Gerald, if you question the Daewoo reliabilty so much you needn’t worry anyways, you’ll have a long warranty, cpomplete with road side assistance and loaner cars.
And to those that complain of fuel economy, it is up to the auto manufacturers to report them. Both my GM’s have been on the spot (with highway mileage a smidge higher if I took it easy). Toyota and Honda on the other hand seem to have huge shortfalls, according to none other than Consumer Reports.
I just purchased a 2007 Aveo(30 days old today) while I love the looks of the car, I am very disappointed in the mileage. At the present I am getting 21.7 around town — since mileage was the main reason and affordability the second, I’m not happy.
This car can’t compare to some of the imports right now.
For example, the Toyota Corolla is both larger in car dimensions, and also as far as engine size, it comes with a 1.8L rated at 125hp. And gets 40mpg highway, 35mpg city.
It also starts at around $14,000. I bout a slightly used one with 12k miles on it for $11,550. Beat those specs and I’ll switch to an Aveo.
Mr. Peper,
I bought a 2007 Aveo5 SVM on 10/31/2007. Three months into owning it I am very happy with it in all respects. My driving consists almost exclusively of less than five mile commutes and errands. My mileage started out at just under 21 mpg and is now, after 1357 miles, up to 23 mpg. I am quite happy with this as I live in a very congested suburban area and all my driving is stop-and-go. As the car continues to break in I think my mileage will gradually improve.
The car is responsive and fun to drive. My wife thinks it is cute, which is a plus. I know the car is aimed at the twenty-something crowd, but it has made this 54 year guy very happy. One other thing, at $10,550 for everything (car, 5% sales tax, full tank of gas, alarm system, and registration) the car was significantly less expensive than any other new car, yet the build quality is quite good. My previous car lasted 20 years and I am hoping that with careful attention to maintenance and sensible driving this car will do the same.
Thanks, GM.