Chevrolet Aveo 1.2 (2012) CAR review

Bit of a surprise, Chevrolet's new Aveo supermini; pretty good looking inside and out, and, on an all-new platform, a rather tidy performer to boot.

I must confess to having quickly given up the frantic, five-speed stick stirrings necessary to wring the neck of the 1.2-litre petrol engined version, and settled for amiable bumbling instead.

Not that the Aveo won’t handle; it’s actually remarkably tidy through the twisty stuff, just rather hard work trying to elicit enough power to tax the gently adept chassis.

What's the Chevrolet Aveo like to bumble around in?

Thanks to a comfy seat and a surprisingly refined, supple ride, it does the bumbling thing rather well. My only criticism might be aimed at the slightly unseemly levels of road noise that creep aboard, marring otherwise encouragingly smooth progress.

The 1.3-litre diesel version is much ballsier, displaying admirable vim, but I suspect the front struts have been surreptitiously beefed to cater for an increase in engine weight, so the ride quality isn’t quite up there with that of the petrol.

And inside the Chevy Aveo supermini?

I’ve read much about the unremittingly harsh nature of the cabin finishes, but at least Chevrolet hasn’t wasted money on expensive, soft-touch trim in areas you’ll never fondle.

Almost everything I came into contact with on a regular basis gave no cause for complaint, and if it helps keep the price of the car down in an era when both the price (and size for that matter) of superminis is getting somewhat out of hand, then that’s fine by me.

Besides, if Chevrolet were to up their game in the interior trim stakes, I’d rather, in the Aveo’s case, it was in the interests of noise suppression.