Test drive Chevrolet Aveo (Kalos) Sedan 2004 - 2006 sedan

Aveo with "automatic"

In the opinion of the AI \u200b\u200bcorrespondent, this sedan is too comfortable
 
No one stops dreaming about Chevrolet Corvette, but to ride a Chevrolet Aveo. But, perhaps, even if the family budget allows you to contain several iron horses in the home stable, it is not reasonable to refuse a practical and well adapted to the city conditions of the sedan - a workhorse is always needed. During the month that Platinum spent this car in the top version, and the author of these lines, and other journalists absolutely assigned to his practicality and reliability, he never failed us. Nevertheless, personally, I - perhaps due to youth and characteristics of character - would prefer a simpler version of this pretty Korean machine.
 
Price and quality
 
More expensive than $ 16,630 AVEO sedan does not exist. It was this version that was tested. In general, the prices for this model in the Russian market begin at $ 11,150. Suppose, I would not pay attention to a 1.2-liter modification in too simple configuration, but to pay more than a thousand dollars for the automatic transmission, while the right hand is quite strong and The legs do not fail - would not. Why - I’ll say a little later, if anyone is interested, but for now I will share the main impression. It consists in an amazing sensation of spaciousness inside, and high -quality, which is amazing for a compact -looking machine, you can’t say otherwise - the organization of this space.
 
For those who do not remember the spring report in the AI \u200b\u200bfrom the first test drive (then, by the way, cars with an automatic gearbox were not presented), I will inform: the sedan is 75 mm longer, 40 mm wider, and 10 mm above the above. hatchback. The numbers do not seem to amaze the imagination, but in reality they make the sedan noticeably more spacious and cozy. Ahead is free, the driver's seat is equipped with a armrest, however, not adjustable in height and therefore not very convenient for me. But the ranges of adjustments of the chair itself are quite suitable, even if you have to rotate anachronous rollers to change the angle of inclination (and at the same time height) of the pillow and the angle of inclination of the back. The steering column moves only up/down, but this is enough to get comfortable. The seats are moderately tough, with some hint of side support.
 
It is no less important that there is enough space behind the two even very large people or three modest complexions to feel comfortable and be able to endure a long trip. All this, believe me, was tested in practice. The luggage compartment volume is 400 liters, in addition, the rear seat is folded entirely or in parts.
 
I was especially pleased with the quality of the finish. It is clear that the plastic in this budget machine, by definition, cannot be too expensive and soft, but this does not prevent it from being high -quality and selected with taste. In addition, the details are neatly adjusted to each other, no walking gaps, everything is verified. And in the top version, the interior also revive chrome rims around the devices and light inserts for metal. But, most importantly, everything is from the tiny remote control of an electric drive of lateral mirrors, to the panel of the climatic system - at hand. The control keys of the audio system with the CD player are carried out under the steering wheel. Finally, the car has very good sound insulation - compared to other classmates.
 
There is, from my point of view, and misunderstandings. First: as in the vast majority of cars comes from Korea, and even from Japan, the climatic installation in Aveo works in a peculiar way. There is no doubt about the air conditioning, if desired, the salon can be turned into a refrigerator. But in the offseason, Electronics begins to alternate, as if he cannot immediately understand whether to turn on the cooling system at a given temperature, or, conversely, the heating system. And it can easily use the air conditioner at +8 overboard. You have to help her manually. Second: in order to display the necessary data of the on -board computer to a small screen in the center of the dashboard, you have to press on the pin on the left - not very convenient. In addition, for some reason, the computer does not show data on the average fuel consumption. Maybe not
 
Obvious virtues
 
What will definitely appeal to the Russian owners of Aveo sedan is a feeling of unbearable pendants. They are surprisingly elastic and energy intensive. Moreover, this sensation does not disappear with a decent load of the car. Their same property contributes to the good controllability and predictability of the behavior of the machine, especially if it is equipped with 15-inch discs with normal rubber. The rolls of the body in vihi are noticeable, but still not critical. Aveo is sensitive to the wheel. Demolition or skiden began - anyway, you press the accelerator pedal, and the front drive wheels instantly pull the car. The main thing is not to get scared and not to lose the gas - you can get a not very pleasant outline of the stern, but there are no stabilization systems.
 
On the steering wheel is always an understandable picture of what is happening under the wheels. A progressive setting of a hydraulic wrap is felt, which makes the steering wheel light at low speeds, and with an increase in the engine speed reduces its effect on the steering wheel. The brakes equipped with ABS are also good.
 
As for the 1.4-liter engine, it is very alive, and allows you to go very quickly. If not for one but
 
Not obvious excess
 
This is, or this surplus, from my subjective point of view - an automatic. In the conditions of urban operation, the advantages of the car with the automatic transmission are obvious, and it makes no sense to argue with this. But the box - the box - discord. The one that AVEO is equipped clearly survived her time and, perhaps, at the end of the last century. She does not only slowly react to the supply of gas, but literally eats horsepower and the torque that the motor issues. With an enviable appetite of glutton, which is not for the future calorie.
 
In fact, this turns out to be a clearly slowed set of speed and an overspending of fuel. For example, you need to accelerate sharply, and you are taking the accelerator pedal to the floor. The tachometer arrow instantly jumps to the red zone, the engine explodes with a roar, and the car is mockingly slowly starting to drive faster. This roar subsides as the box thinks what is required of it, and passes the moment the front wheels.
 
I'm not talking about the fact that the 1,4-liter motor would have been more suitable for the variator. Let the automatic transmission be. I am even ready to come to terms with the fact that in a car of this class it is not necessary to supply a machine with a manual selection mode, although this is a very useful option. It is much more useful than the existing Hold mode - in fact, worthless in modern cars, which does not allow to promote the engine. But it is difficult for me to agree with losses - power, speakers, fuel, which is provided by the existing automatic box. From my point of view, this is too much payment for additional comfort.
 
As for the average fuel consumption, the number 7.0 declared by the manufacturer, I can safely say, is underestimated. According to my most modest calculations, AVEO with automatic transmission eats a good 12 liters per 100 km. Especially in traffic jams, and even with the air conditioner.
 
However, in olimpysk, a calm person, especially the lady, to save on convenience when moving may seem completely useless. Moreover, in terms of price/quality ratio, AVEO has very few competitors, even if it is equipped with a machine gun.
 
Daniil Smirnov
 

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 18 (107), 2006]