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Front Comfort
With the emergence of numerous new models, the point has been proven that small cars are not necessarily uncomfortable cars. Add the 2007 Chevrolet Aveo to that list. Though our tallest editor found the front seat bottoms to be too short, other more vertically-challenged drivers described the front buckets as spacious. The seat back has a gentle, comfortable curve, and the side bolsters, while hardly aggressive, are sufficient for this daily commuter. A tilt steering wheel and folding, padded driver’s armrest help to ensure the driver will find a suitable position. There’s also a height-adjustable driver’s seat, but since it utilizes a dial instead of a lever, can be hard to operate, especially with the weight of the driver on top.
Rear Comfort
Except for a lack of knee room, and head room that’s on the low side, the rear seat area of the 2007 Chevrolet Aveo is a fine place to travel. The seatback is permanently set at a comfortable recline angle, the seat bottom is flat but soft, and outboard headrests are padded and adjustable. There’s gobs of foot room, and the front seatbacks are soft, so even those with long legs won’t have hard plastic rubbing against their knees. But a little more room would be a welcome addition, as would some padding on the doors, a second cupholder, and maybe a fold-down armrest (we don’t think that’s too much to ask for in an economy car running almost $17,000).
Interior Noise
Southern California is plagued by grooved, concrete highways that could make complainers out of the deaf – they really are that bad. So when we drove the Aveo on said highways, we weren’t entirely shocked to discover good doses of road and tire noise. When we drove Chevy’s least expensive car on smooth paved roads, the tire and road noise lessened dramatically, though not to the point of disappearing. Furthermore, by cutting out much of the road and tire noise, our ears were better able to notice the wind noise. Whatever the road surface, the high-strung four-cylinder engine’s song is always readily heard, yet its refinement is no better or worse than most others in the segment.
Loading Cargo
With the split rear seat folded down, the Aveo sedan will accommodate longer cargo, though the painted steel on the rear seatbacks are sure to get scratched after a little use, and the folded seats don’t create a flat load area. Front seats must be pushed forward to allow the rear seatbacks to fold. The trunk opening is large, but the liftover height is a bit tall, and the old-school hinges fold down and can damage cargo. On the plus side, the trunk is lined, including the lid, and should swallow all a couple of adventurers need for a weekend away.
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