CHEVROLET AVEO (Kalos) Sedan West Drive Sedan

From three to five

A formal reason for this test was the Chevrolet Aveo debut in a three -door version
A similar modification of Toyota Yaris, which appeared in Russia, also fell into the line. And the company will be a kind old Nissan Micra, for six years now offering us from three to five doors.
The updated Chevrolet Aveo looks more solid, or rather, more aggressive than his predecessor. True, the huge shield of a false radiator lattice with a hypertrophied family cross would look even better if his substrate with a license plate. But the headlights from the flagship sedan Epica and the ventilation grilles at the base of the front racks, borrowed in the Cadillac model range, came in the way. Like a plastic body kit, which carries not only a decorative, but also applied function, protecting the thresholds from the stones flying from under the front wheels.
The second generation of Toyota Yaris debuting in Russia in the spring of 2006, and even more so the Nissan Micra veteran does not need a detailed performance. (The recent appearance of the three-door Yaris could be considered news, it differs from the usual version with something except the price and number of doors.) We only note that ideologically these machines are largely similar, offering a maximum of internal volume with relatively modest external dimensions (although in In case of Micra, practicality was still partially sacrificed to the original design).
The interior of the updated Aveo has changed slightly. Designer breakthroughs are still not noticeable here, and the persistence with which the Koreans adhere to traditions in some details, by golly, worthy of better use. (This is, in particular, about the steering wheel switches, stubbornly inherited by each new model with the old woman Nexia.) Although, by and large, there are few complaints to the driver’s driver’s place. I would like to finally get the adjustment of the steering wheel, a more ergonomic chair in which the back would better endure many hours of ordeals in traffic jams. And tell me the mercy, to whom it occurred to supply the rear -view mirror from the driver's side with a magnifying glass?!
Against the backdrop of an Aveo coal-black desert, the Micra Cream Salon with elaborately decorated and richly decorated elements of door decoration and torpedo seems paradise for paradise. (True, only TEKNA top version provides such a striking contrast, and in cheaper Micra execution versions it is much more boring). The driver's seat is quite comfortable and can even have an adjustable lumbar backup. The steering wheel, however, is regulated only in height.
You can’t call the materials that make up the Yaris interior, but you can’t give up the assembly quality. Not like ergonomics. Despite the possibility of adjusting the speakers in two directions, low drivers will want to pull the steering wheel a little more, and raise it taller than it. Alas, the settings of the settings of latitude do not differ. (However, the appearance of a telescopic steering column itself is already a real breakthrough.) But the seats are convenient, an electronic instrument shield, as if soaring in the black bowels, inspires mystical horror (ay, shaitan!), And the number of branches for the trifle (at the disposal of the driver and the driver and Their front passenger is about a dozen of them) forces the genius of practicality to recognize Yaris.
For comfort for the rear passengers, Yaris is the leader again. Here, perhaps, the most convenient seat, parts of which can be moved back and forth, and even change the backs of the backs. The tunnel on the floor is almost invisible, which cannot but delight the owner of the central place (although if he is not a child among adults, it will still be burned in the shoulders).
The rear seat of Micra is also mobile (in the absence of passengers, the trunk can be increased by 120 l), but it is more difficult to sit back: a low opening and a high threshold interfere. And sitting closely: the legs rest on the back, and the head is on the ceiling.
But if the inhabitants of the rear seats Micra and Yaris, thanks to the settings of the seats, are hypothetically able to conquer their living space from the mute suitcases, then Aveo passengers can only rely on the mercy of Korean designers. And they, constrained by the rigid framework of the budget, secured the seats tightly, completely and completely subjugating the interests of the gallery to the whims ahead. Well, at least Aveo wheelbase is slightly larger than competitors
However, it is time to announce the results of the running tests, having conveyed them, as usual, a brief description of the Russian lines of the power units of our heroes. The good news for fans of Korean Chevrolet: both engines of the updated Aveo have become more powerful. A modernized 1.2-liter engine produces 84 hp. Against the previous 72, and a 1.4-liter top version is forced up to 101 hp. This, by the way, is the most powerful unit in our Trinity today. As a transmission, acquaintances are offered by the Drestyling Machine ICP-5 or AKP-4, who have not undergone noticeable changes.
From engines of the same volume, Nissan still removes 80 and 88 hp. respectively. The composition of the gearboxes has not changed either: the base 5-speed mechanics or an optional 4-speed machine.
Yaris has a single 1.3-liter 87-horsepower engine in the Russian market, aggregated with MKP-5 or (in senior trim levels) with a robotic 5-speed transmission of Multimode.
On the bottoms of Aveo 1.2 with a mechanical box, there is not enough torque. However, by twisting the motor in the ringing, it is still possible to achieve acceptable agility from the Korean. Of course, if you manage to intuitively feel the switching algorithm: the lever (in neutrals, in transmission) dangles like a flower in a hole.
Yaris with a robot, unpleasantly stumbling when accelerating on each gear shift, also delivers no more positive emotions. (True, if the Toyota box is removed from the usual, economical mode, by pressing the ES button, then switching occurs faster, and the gas pedal becomes responsive.) Of course, you can switch the programs manually, but why will it be forbid to the pseudo -automatic?
In general, this time the four -speed Micra automaton turned out to be the most adequate. The box pleasantly surprises in character with abuse. And by reducing the number of gears to three (Over Drive OFF mode is activated by a small button on the selector handle), you can count on a completely dynamic ride.
And the handling is generally good. Key definitions of the characters of Micra and Yaris softness and predictability. Both cars willingly enter the turns and keep the road well even at the limit of the adhesive properties of tires. The difference is only in the nuances. For example, Micra reacts more acutely to rigid irregularities, and Yaris to ruts. The help of the steering wheel electric power amplifier in both machines is too intrusive, but the Nissan steering wheel is still a little more informative.
The Aveo steering wheel is frankly empty at zero, and the reactive effort is not quite natural. However, it is possible to understand where the car is going. In turns, the body is more desired, but the car does not swing on the asphalt waves, and most of the flavor flaws are easily rounded by a rather energy -intensive suspension.
However, the unconditional champion in the smoothness of the Yaris course: more adult cars can envy its ability to overcome deep potholes. Although Micra call the tongue a stool does not turn
Be that as it may, all the subjective assessments of a particular car objectively blocks one very significant factor price. She, as they say, explains a lot. For example, the presence of Chevrolet Aveo in the TOP-25 of the Russian market (17th place for the end of the half-year with the result of 18,733 cars sold) and the absence of other participants in this test in this rating. And for the absence of Micra and Yaris in the body line, so popular in our country sedans (Aveo is taken mainly in this body) this incident can not be written off. Money ruled the ball. At least in this segment.
And while the Chevrolet Aveo hatchbacks will cost from 311,200 rubles, and the Nissan Micra and Toyota Yaris from 400,200 and 480,000 rubles, respectively, are hardly hoping for a change in the existing status quo.
Chevrolet Aveo crash test
The only Chevrolet Aveo crash test according to the EURONCAP method was carried out in 2006 and brought, to put it mildly, disappointing results: the car could not gain two full stars. The consequences of a frontal clash (3 points out of 16 possible) turned out to be especially crushing. The driver hit his chest on the hub and the rim of the steering wheel, and the knees on the front panel and the ignition lock. In addition, the legs were at risk due to the clutch pedal that had shown back. Fortunately, Aveo defeated the passengers-children (four out of five stars) well and successfully withstood the hit on the side (15 points).
Toyota yaris crash test
In the rating of EURONCAP Toyota Yaris, five stars earned 35 points. Moreover, 15 (94%) were received for the frontal blow, and 18 points (100%) for the side. The car protects the car passengers into three out of five stars, and for pedestrians the experts awarded Yaris two out of four stars. Already in the basic configuration, the machines are equipped with frontal and lateral airbags, belt attachments, ISOFIX and ABS mounts. Safety curtains and a knee pillow for a driver in more expensive versions. There is no stabilization system.
Nissan micra crash test
Nissan Micra was tested by EURONCAP in 2003. The car was awarded a four -star ranking, receiving 25 points in the amount of 25 points, 9 (56%) were awarded for the frontal blow, and 15 points (83%) for the side. The relatively low results of the frontal dough are explained by the fine for the fact that the pillow could not prevent the contact of the chest and head of the driver with the steering wheel (fortunately, non -layer). Experts estimated the safety of pedestrians at 12 points (33%). In this discipline, Micra earned two out of four stars. Children's tests were not provided for the then regulations.
Chevrolet Aveo
+ An interesting design, a decent engine, a rather spacious trunk.
- Non -informative clutch pedal and μP lever, mediocre smoothness.
Toyota yaris
+ Practical and roomy salon for compact dimensions, generous equipment.
- A robotic transmission, a boring-gray interior, a small trunk.
Nissan Micra
+ Decent dynamic qualities, pleasant design, practicality.
- Automat without manual control, non -optimal transformation of the rear seats.
Andrey Tsybulsky
Photo author: Armen Meetarjyan
 

Source: Mkobil magazine [September/2008]