SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.

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2009 Chevrolet Aveo Hatch LS Automatic

Roomy and economical

The previous generation of Chevrolet Aveo (pronounced ah-VAY-oh) is popular with those who own them, although it is conceded that they needed a bit more muscle. The General has obliged, not with a simple capacity enlargement, but with a whole new engine in the form of an Ecotec unit from his big corporate parts bin.

The new engine boasts 16 valves (previously 8), DOHC (previously SOHC) 1 600cc (previously 1 500cc) and a useful 24 percent power increase to 77 kW and 13 percent more torque at 145 Nm. It has also adopted variable valve timing that helps widen the power and torque bands, aiding performance and fuel efficiency. It’s still not a tarmac ripper though, as the improvements place it neatly in the middle of its engine size class, rather than at the top.

The body has grown 40 mm in length, 10 mm in width and is 10 mm taller.  What this means to you and me is increased headroom and more boot volume, while leg- and shoulder space stays pretty much the same.  Cosmetic changes to the outside are accompanied by better quality materials on the inside, resulting in a generally nicer looking car all around.

Priced at R135 900, the LS-specification automatic version tested is probably the least expensive 1600cc automatic available in South Africa and as such, will appeal to those needing a roomy and economical car with the convenience of an auto ‘box.

Obviously, one can’t have the best of all worlds, so the Aveo LS is built down to a price. As such, it foregoes such niceties as keyless entry with remote central locking, power mirrors, fog lamps, leather upholstery, an alarm system and power windows for the back doors.  These toys are all included on the range-topping LT variant that does not have an auto option.

This may be just as well, because in my humble opinion, the clutchless shifter spoils the car somewhat. I can’t explain just what the problem is, but the ‘box behaves like those fitted to Japanese cars of the late ‘eighties and early ‘nineties – very smooth but with lots of transmission slip.  When you put the boot in, expecting some athleticism, all you get is much noise as it kicks down a gear, but little increase in velocity.

Put simply, the LS automatic is fine for poodling along gently, but don’t expect fireworks. Buy a manual version if you want to use the car to its full potential.

What you do get is a sub-compact car that thinks it’s compact; with lots of shoulder room, adequate leg- and headroom in the rear, a boot of about average size for its class, fuel economy (the factory claims 7,7 l/100 km overall), air conditioning, a fair sound system that you can play your iPod through, power windows on the front doors, power steering, two airbags, isofix anchorages for child chairs, good road behaviour and a smooth and comfortable ride.

You also get a tilt-adjustable steering column, height adjustment on the driver’s seat, three cup holders, storage places for knick-knacks, pockets behind both front seats, four-channel ABS brakes, key-operated central locking and a transponder key immobiliser.

The Aveo sells under various names worldwide, including Chevrolet Kalos, Daewoo Kalos, Holden Barina, Pontiac Wave and Suzuki Swift+, so it’s a well-travelled little guy that has earned itself many fans in a variety of places.

The details

1 598 cc DOHC inline four cylinder with VVT
Power: 77 kW at 5 800 rpm
Torque: 145 Nm at 3 600 rpm
Average fuel consumption (claimed): 7,7 l/100 km
Fuel tank: 45 litres
Maximum speed (claimed): 176 km/h
Price of model tested: R 135 900
Other Aveo models range from R 112 900 to R 144 500
Warranty: 3 years/100 000km
Anti-corrosion warranty: 3 years
Service intervals: 15 000 km

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.

What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to in order to kick back and relax.  So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!

Comments?

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