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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 Chevrolet Aveo

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Want to save money? Check out the 2010 Chevrolet Aveo

Overview

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2011 Chevrolet Aveo Review

By KBB.com Editors

The 2011 Chevrolet Aveo, a smartly styled subcompact, offers excellent fuel economy, a long list of standard features and a bargain-basement price. The Aveo's appeal extends to budget-conscious first-time buyers, anyone on a limited income and unhappy SUV owners looking for an affordable and fuel-efficient way of getting to and from the office. Available as a sedan or sporty five-door hatchback, the Aveo's uncommonly high roof means tall occupants can sit comfortably in both front and rear, a major bonus for those who might stay clear of some small cars due to their cramped interiors. An all-new Aveo is slated for arrival in 2012, meaning come year's end you might be able to make an excellent deal on a remaining 2011 model.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for budget-conscious, efficient basic transportation you'll like the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo. Practical, utilitarian and with no complicated high-tech systems to learn, the little sedan is also a good choice for RVers looking for a haul-behind car. Another plus: The high seating position for driver and passenger.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're seeking a small car that can also perform like a sports car, the Aveo's economy-minded engine and suspension may leave you wanting more. You may also find that properly-secured children are the best bet for occupying the rear seat. With the front seats all the way back, there is very minimal legroom for rear-seat passengers.

What's New for 2011

For 2011, a cabin air filtration system is made standard on all trims.

Driving the Aveo

Driving Impressions Driving a car as uncomplicated as the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo releases you from constantly checking the myriad of messages or dealing with the intricate controls found on the lavish instrument...

panels in pricier cars. With an eye occasionally on the speedometer, the driver is free to enjoy the surprising capabilities of the Aveo's miserly 108-horsepower engine. There is no available stability-control system, although anti-lock brakes (ABS) are an option. A slight lean is noticeable on corners taken at speed but the overall driving experience is precise and pleasant, with the car holding the line during straight, hard braking. As to be expected from this category of car, some tire, wind and engine noise is par for the course.

Favorite Features

Auxiliary Audio Input Jack
With an eye on youthful buyers who enjoy music 24/7, even the most basic Aveo has an auxiliary input jack for iPods and other music players and electronic devices.

Fuel Economy
Saving on fuel bills is high on many folks' lists and Aveo buyers are obviously looking for this benefit. The LT with automatic transmission rewards you with 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, depending upon road conditions and driving style.

2011 Chevrolet Aveo Details

Interior

With small touches of metallic grain, satin chrome trim and a faux leather interior, the Aveo LT retains an upscale look uncommon in this class. Front seats with tilt headrests, storage pockets in doors and seatbacks, a sunglass holder and six-way adjustable driver's seat are features you'd expect in a higher-priced car. The dashboard is simplicity at its best, clearly showing all the information the driver needs. The front passenger seat reclines and, with a trunk capacity of 12.4 cubic feet and rear 60/40-split seats that fold almost flat in the sedan and feature a flip-and-fold-flat design in the five-door, there's plenty of room for good-sized boxes or long, skinny stuff like skis.

Exterior

A full-featured economy subcompact built by General Motors Daewoo in Korea, the Aveo is a competently-designed vehicle with sheetmetal that blends smoothly together to present a neat package. The V-shaped hood and split grille reveal its Chevrolet heritage and emphasize its wide stance. Large "shoulders" over the wheels, oversized front and rear lights and a height of almost five feet give it the appearance of a larger sedan.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Despite its entry-level status, the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo offers a surprisingly high level of standard equipment, including front side-impact airbags, height-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, tilt wheel, interior releases for trunk and fuel door, variable wipers, OnStar and a rear window defogger. The upscale 2LT trim adds air conditioning, remote keyless entry with alarm, 15-inch wheels, cruise control and power and heated mirrors. Music lovers will appreciate the CD/MP3 player and 180-watt six-speaker system with auxiliary input jack. Power windows and door locks lift this model above many of its similarly-priced competitors.

Optional Equipment

The four-speed automatic overdrive transmission with Hold Control uses adaptive-shift technology. It helps to reduce wheel spin and loss of traction by allowing the driver to manually select and then hold a gear so that torque to the wheels is reduced, much as with a true manual transmission. Like audio controls at your fingertips? The Aveo can be equipped with an engine oil pan heater, while LS trims can be equipped with dealer-installed air conditioning. The Aveo LT has them at thumb level on the steering wheel. Other options include a power moonroof, leatherette seats, XM Satellite Radio, fog lamps, a rear spoiler, anti-lock brakes (ABS), an engine-block heater and an anti-theft system.

Under the Hood

General Motors' 16-valve four-cylinder engine powers every 2010 Aveo and produces 108 horsepower. An electronic throttle control and variable induction system help maximize power across the rpm range for consistency and fuel economy, and the four-speed automatic transmission's Hold Control mode provides a pseudo-manual operation the driver can select for sportier or more controlled driving.

1.6-liter in-line 4
108 horsepower @ 6400 rpm
104 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/35 (manual), 25/34 (automatic)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Chevrolet Aveo vehicles for sale near you.

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2011 Chevrolet Aveo Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.4

Out of 10

Based on 33 Ratings for the 2011 models.

Review this car

Value

8.0/10

Quality

7.6/10
Reliability

8.3/10

Performance

7.3/10
Comfort

7.9/10

Styling

7.6/10

My Best Friend!

By B.Nacole (FL) on Tuesday, April 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 93,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Gas Mileage, Reliable"

Cons: "A/c Vents, Small Rear"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love my Chevy Aveo! I have had it for a little over 2 years, used. This was my first car and is perfect for a first time driver like I was. It is so small and compact, great and easy to drive, GREAT on gas, and very reliable. Never had any MAJOR problems with my Aveo but when minor ones do occur, they are very simple to identify and not very expensive to fix (brakes, tires, a/c, parts under hood, etc) Since I am a single young adult with no children, this car fits my South Florida lifestyle, as the backseat is not very accomidating. Trunk is spacious, interior is easy to clean as well. This car is great for roadtrips, trips to beach, fun outings with friends, everyday commute but not so ideal for a large group, as expected with such a tiny car. I love my Aveo!"

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Chevrolet Aveo saved my day

By ChevyGal (CA) on Saturday, January 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 38,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Most reliable and affordable car"

Cons: "shaky on windy days, factory tires"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"My old car broken down in which I had no choice but to rush my judgment to buy this car. I'm also on a limited budget and any transportation will do to carry me from point A to point B. My new car, Chevy Aveo, surprised me and exceed my expectations of a $12,000 car. Altho the horsepower is at 106, it has a turbo power to speed up to 60 mph in 10 seconds at 3 RPM. The trunk can be packed with 6 luggage in which has a lot of space. The backseat can be comfortable for some people and uncomfortable for others. My driver's seat gives me an enough space for a woman who's big and tall. Neat interior, looks so cool from the outside. I love the remote key functions. Great for people who are on limited budget that need a reliable car and it saves you a lot of gas. I just wish it could handle better on some windy days. I drove my car on rainy days and I had no problem driving it."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Reliable little car

By Anna (IA) on Friday, December 28, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 21,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "great gas milage"

Cons: "hard to drive in wind"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"This car has served me well. It is a rather small car and convenient for parking and as someone who is only 5'2" it is nice. However my six foot roomates and father don't fit in it as well so I wouldn't recommend to someone who is tall. It gets great gas milage, but doesn't handle well in the wind and that is my only complaint. Overall it is a very dependable car."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Exactly what I needed for my commute

By Big John (RI) on Thursday, October 04, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 29,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Everything"

Cons: "Tires"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 3

"THis is not an SUV, hot rod, sports car so if you expect that you will not get it. I use my car to and from work daily, I get 30-35 for gas mileage. A lot of room for even the biggest person. I have friends that are over 6 foot 2 that are shocked at how much room there is. I have taken the car full of people and luggage on vacation in the mountains and got around no problem. A/C works great, many nice little extra features, no complaints here! Same as prior posts, the factory tires are garbage and will not last 25K."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Great car!

By Perfect! (CT) on Wednesday, August 08, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 25,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Everything"

Cons: "Factory Tires"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is a perfect car for me as I commute 95% of the time but even on family outings there is plenty of room for all. Nothing fancy, don't care about 0-60 as I am not in a race. I get 35mpg consistently with mixed driving. The only part that is bad are the factory tires. 20K and beat."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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i love my aveo!

By shelby (AZ) on Tuesday, May 01, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 56,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "perfect sized, good gas milage, drives smooth."

Cons: "no power windows."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I absolutly love this car! It has really good gas milage, $26 fills it up for at least 2 weeks. And it drives really smooth, when I test drove it I was really surprised at how smooth it was. And its pretty roomy. It also has good air conditioning. The only thing I would change is the fact that mine does not have power windows."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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See all 33 reviews