2009 Chevrolet Aveo5

This 2009 Chevy Aveo5 is an interesting vehicle. Unfortunately, the XFE Cobalt starts at $16,330 (plus destination) and returns better fuel economy on the highway (25 city/37 highway and a combined 30 mpg) and gives you a little more power. Since I drive mostly highway miles, I'd much rather fork over the extra cash and get a Cobalt. Inside, the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo is a strange mix of cheap appointments and wood trim. The driver's side of the car doesn't have a grab handle, but there is a sunglasses holster where you'd expect one. I wonder how many of these will get ripped off by accident. Luckily the radio looks and sounds good and offers an auxiliary input. I'd love to know why there is wood trim in this thing; it's not like you're going to trick anyone into thinking this is a luxury ride. If you just want a small car, the Chevrolet Aveo5 fits the bill. If you're looking to save on gas, there are several Chevrolet vehicles that offer better highway mpg numbers than the Aveo and give you more room.

As driving enthusiasts, we understand that not all cars are intended to be driven hard and fast, and subcompacts definitely fall into that category. So we've moved from subcompact to subcompact, understanding that 12-second saunters to reach highway speed are part of the game. But the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 isn't just subcompact slow. Accelerating, stopping and turning become as awkward as a middle school dance as you negotiate uncommunicative controls and wimpy mechanicals. It's a driving experience that places the 2009 Chevy Aveo5 at least five years behind its competitors in terms of refinement.

The Aveo5 plays the subcompact game very well on paper, in pictures and sitting in the driveway. Its recent redesign has breathed some much-needed style into the car. The spec sheets look competitive with the rest of the class. Inside, the interior has been finished with well-chosen materials and excellent precision. Unfortunately, when you pull out of the driveway, the 2009 Aveo5 reveals itself to be an awkward and uncomfortable reminder of small cars past.

Chevy's Aveo and Aveo5 have never been that much fun to drive--even by small-car standards--but they've sold incredibly well nevertheless. Credit decent fuel economy, bargain-filled window stickers, and a host of impressive standard features. Would the 2009 Aveo sell as well in the United States if it wasn't badged as a Chevy, and bore a Daewoo front grille? Probably not. But that doesn't change the fact that it's a decent car, and economical, reliable transportation. It's also one of the cheapest new cars you can buy.