Chevrolet Aveo

Forgettable, underwhelming Korean city car that just can’t match up to stiff competition. If you’d prefer this to a Honda Jazz, it’s time to take a long hard look in the mirror

• Comfort

  Decent legroom, but rear-seat adults will instantly discover a lack of headroom. Bootspace is woeful at just 220 litres.

  

• Performance

  There are two petrol engines: a slow 1.2-litre with 83bhp or a 95bhp 1.4-litre. If you really, really have to choose, go with the more powerful engine. It’s a relative description: it’s still woefully slow and noisy.

  

• Cool

  Law 276 of The World According to Top Gear: any car that has obviously had its badge stuck on as an afterthought cannot be considered cool.

  

• Quality

  The interior build quality is big step forward over Chevrolets of old, but the overall impression is still one of cheapness. Compare the Aveo to, say, a Fiesta, and the deficits become very, very obvious.

  

• Handling

  The suspension handles ruts OK, but the Aveo doesn’t really like corners. There’s too much lean and not enough grip.

  

• Practicality

  Tight in the back and boot, and only basic safety equipment as standard. The Aveo’s rivals use their interior space much more cleverly.

  

• Running costs

  Good fuel economy and low insurance groups makes the Aveo a cheap little runaround. That said, it’s more expensive than the old Kalos and now barely cheaper to buy than its European mainstream rivals.