Best economy car, hatchback 2011 Honda Fit *Est. $15100
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Best sporty compact car 2011 Volkswagen GTI *Est. $23695
Best nonhybrid fuel economy 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI *Est. $23225
Best cheap compact car 2011 Nissan Versa *Est. $9990

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2008 Chevrolet Aveo

*Est. $10,225 to $13,920

Pros

Low base price
Well-designed interior
Good ride quality and maneuverability
Side-impact air bags are standard

Cons

Underpowered engine lacks refinement and pickup
Unimpressive fuel economy
Cramped legroom
Reliability record

Our Analysis

The Chevrolet Aveo sedan was redesigned for 2007, so it was the subject of more critical professional reviews during the 2007 model year than in 2008. However, we found helpful, up-to-date reviews pertinent to 2008 sedans and hatchbacks at Consumer Reports magazine, ConsumerGuide.com, and Edmunds.com. The online home of Kelley Blue Book, KBB.com, includes the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo on a list of editors' recommended models, and it provides a comprehensive overview of this model in its review section. A review from CarCritic.com focuses on issues like reliability and customer satisfaction, while Automobile.com offers detailed and balanced coverage of its testing of a 2007 Aveo. Money magazine features an article discussing the Aveo's repair history, though it only utilizes data collected prior to the end of 2006.

Most buyers won't expect the bargain-priced 2008 Chevrolet Aveo to come with many upgrades, so most sources appreciate the Aveo's standard front- and side-impact air bags and its optional antilock brakes. Available sedan and hatchback body styles also offer a measure of versatility. However, reviews highlight the 103-horsepower, 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine as a glaring weakness, especially since the 2007 redesign made the Chevrolet Aveo sedan heavier than before. Reviews also question the long-term predicted reliability. With a sticker price that's a few hundred dollars more than the Chevrolet Aveo, the Toyota Yaris (*est. $11,350 to $14,450) gets better reviews for several reasons, including superior fuel economy estimates, crash-test ratings and predicted reliability.

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Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Although the performance and ergonomics of the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo are evaluated, editors haven't road-tested this model since 2004. Information on safety features, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction and long-term costs is included.

Review: 2008 Chevrolet Aveo Review, Editors of Consumer Reports

2. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com presents its road test results as numerical ratings for various aspects of performance. The 2008 Chevrolet Aveo scores below the average for subcompact cars in most categories.

Review: 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Sept. 9, 2008

3. Edmunds.com

This comprehensive single-vehicle review notes that the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo sedan reaps some benefits from its 2007 redesign, but that the aging Aveo5 (scheduled for a 2009 restyle) lags behind competing subcompact hatchbacks in almost every way.

Review: 2008 Chevrolet Aveo Review, Editors at Edmunds.com

4. CarCritic.comDetails/Subscribe

With this site's focus mainly on long-term predicted reliability as measured by owner surveys, Vorderman opines that a used Honda Civic is a better bet than the insubstantial and underpowered 2008 Chevrolet Aveo.

Review: 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, Don Vorderman

5. Kelley Blue Book

The Chevrolet Aveo, described here as "utilitarian," is one of five recommended models in the under-$15,000 compact car category. There are links to Kelley Blue Book's detailed overviews of each vehicle but no direct comparisons of the models.

Review: Recommended Shopping Lists: Compact Cars, Editors of KBB.com

6. Automobile.com

This balanced review of the Chevrolet Aveo notes that the 2007 model's performance 'hasn't been significantly improved over earlier versions. Fuel efficiency is mediocre, and the Aveo's warranty is not as comprehensive as some competitors'.

Review: 2007 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan LT Road Test, Editors of Automobile.com

7. Money Magazine Details/Subscribe

Money magazine delivers a rundown of the most- and least-reliable vehicles as determined by Consumer Reports' extensive collection of owner-survey data. The 2007 Chevrolet Aveo makes the "least reliable" list.

Review: Most Reliable Cars, Editors of Money magazine

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