It seems like the entire world is downsizing, and at least here in North America not enough automakers have caught

The new Aveo5 offers a bold new look that appears much more upscale than anything else in the class. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

onto the reality of the situation. While most offer compact models, the hottest selling segments right now, not enough are servicing the lowest end of the market, where first-time new car buyers shop. Chevy has been taking care of such buyers for years now, first with its Suzuki-built subcompact models and now with its Korean-built Aveo.

For 2009, Chevy has changed the Aveo's face dramatically, as well as the rest of the car. It's a bold new look that for some takes a little getting used to. For such a small car, its grille is expansive, reaching from its sloping hood right to the lower lip of its front air dam, and just aft of the front fenders a classy chrome engine vent garnish offers up an upscale look than is hardly normal in this segment. It's almost radical for such a small car to be so big in personality, but I think that this rather daring move will pay off for Chevrolet. After all, just because you're buying an entry-level vehicle, doesn't mean it has to look or feel entry-level, right?

Inside, Chevy follows this theme with a nice, comfortable yet sporty cabin. I was able

Unique taillight design offers a different take on the subcompact monobox shape. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

to drive a number of trim levels, and appreciated how the designers and product planners tried to give the car a richer appearance than the outgoing car and in some ways nicer than some others in this class. Little details, like aluminum-look steering wheel trim, faux aluminum around the automatic shifter if so equipped, and a really attractive chronograph-style gauge package with aluminum bezels. Another bonus is the Aveo's extremely high-quality audio interface, as good as this segment gets and better than some cars in the larger and more compact class. It comes with a single-CD player and an AM/FM radio, of course, plus an auxiliary port for your iPod, and can be had with XM satellite radio too. Also, OnStar can be had, one of the more useful creations in autodom. And probably more important, the Aveo5's seats are really supportive, and I really like the two-tone cloth and high-quality fabrics. The ones in the rear are just as nice and totally flexible with a new flip-and-fold system that makes the most of the space on hand. And a few little details were a surprise to me, such as the

Stylish engine vent garnish is not the usual fare in the B-segment. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

inclusion of a sunglass holder opposite to the passenger's grab handle, while the twin cupholders that pop out from the centre stack really hold your drinks in place.

I wouldn't go so far to say that the Aveo5 is sporty when it comes to driving dynamics, but it's not slouch either. Chevy equips it with a fiery 107-horsepower 1.6-litre dual overhead cam four-cylinder with variable valve timing and dual cam phasing, mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic with Hold Control. A new exhaust system, quiet-tuned with a four-in-one sheet metal manifold, cuts back on noise, vibration and harshness levels, important in a class of cars with small displacement engines often criticized for being buzzy and unrefined.

The

Flexible seating system and lots of cargo space. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Aveo5 handles corners quite well considering its smaller 14-inch steel wheels and 185/60R14 shoes as standard, but again I wouldn't be calling it particularly sporty. You can get larger 15-inch alloy rims on 185/55R15 tires if you want to gain a little more high-speed control, but that's not the car's mission. Really, this is an A-to-B vehicle that Chevy has made a little nicer than average, to give it greater appeal in the market.

Chevy offers a special Security Package that really sets the Aveo5 apart from some others in this class. It includes driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact airbags as well as antilock brakes, so your ride can be as safe as many larger cars, while still enjoying the benefits of small car fuel economy. To that end, the Aveo5 is a true miser, only willing to use 7.9 L/100

A good choice in the subcompact class. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

km in the city and 5.7 in the city, when the manual car is employed, or 8.2 and 5.8 respectively with the four-speed automatic. That's an eight-percent improvement over the outgoing car, by the way, which is a positive step in the right direction. According to Chevy, it can travel up to 643 km (400 mi) between fuel stops. Not too shabby.

And really, fuel economy is one of the Aveo5's biggest drawing cards, well that and its amazingly low price of entry at $13,770, before discount… and GM has been discounting a lot lately. The outgoing version was selling for a mere $9,995 over the summer, and while the newly revised version might not go so cheaply, maybe your local Chevy retailer has a deal that'll fit your pocketbook. Certainly now is the time to buy a new car, as pencils have never been sharper.

Specifications (2009 Chevrolet Aveo5):

• Base Price Range (MSRP): $13,770 – $15,995
• Body: 5-door hatchback
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Engine: 107-hp, 106 lb-ft of torque, 1.6L DOHC 16-valve I-4
• Transmission: 5-spd manual (opt. 4-spd auto)
• Cargo Capacity (seats up/down): 189 / 1,189 L (7.0 / 42.0 cu-ft)
• Wheels: 14-inch (opt. 15-inch)
• Tires: 185/60R14 (opt. 185/55R15)
• Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive, 60/160,000 powertrain
• Direct Competitors: Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent Hatchback, Kia Rio5, Pontiac Wave G3,
• Website: www.chevrolet.ca

That nose! Would you just look at that nose! Chevrolet might be using the tagline, "The car you can't ignore" for the new '08

Chevy debuted its Aveo5 in LA, alongside some of its small city-friendly concepts. Notice the resemblance? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Malibu, but it just might suit the recently redesigned Aveo5 even better. The new corporate face is all about giving America's bread and butter brand a stronger image, which can be seen on the Chevy's new trucks, SUVs, and cars, and perhaps most clearly of all on this, its smallest model. The slightly blunted nose puts the golden bowtie up front, and combined with new one-piece headlamps, plus a lower valance that would be at home on a sports sedan, the new Aveo5 is anything but modest looking. Interestingly, we couldn't help but notice the similarities between the Aveo5's new snout and that of the Chevrolet Beat minicar concept vehicle. Could this be a hint at things to come?

The facelift comes at just the right time for the Aveo5. Since it entered the market, Toyota refreshed its subcompact hatchback, Nissan entered the spacious Versa, and the Honda Fit not only showed up, but it's about to be redesigned as well. Things within the Aveo lineup have already started to change, first with last year's update for the Sedan. It came dressed to the subcompact party to impress with its classy, chrome-trimmed exterior and handsome overall appearance. While the sedan looks a little more grown up, the 5 is fun and funky, no question about it. In addition to the work

It almost makes you want to ask it why it's so angry looking... (Photo: Chevrolet)

up front, its backside sports new taillights, a rear spoiler and a different back bumper too. In between, things remain pretty much the same, but for a pair of chromed fender vents, which mimic those fitted to the new CTS.

Inside, the Aveo5 receives the same interior that the sedan got last year, which is a massive step forward from the hatchback's previous cabin. Although we don't often talk about interior ambience in subcompact cars, it's worth talking about with the Aveo. The dashboard has a pleasing matte finish with a dimpled texture, and a centre console that's well organized with GM's high-grade corporate stereo and simple, basic climate controls. Besides being better built, the Aveo5 can be had with wood trim (carbon fibre and satin chrome are also available), and a two-toned faux leather interior, the sort of features you wouldn't expect from a car this size. It's no Rolls-Royce, but for the money it'll set you back, its accommodations are completely respectable. Other new features to the Aveo5 for next year include OnStar,

Finally, the hatchback gets the same interior as the sedan, and not a moment too soon. (Photo: Chevrolet)

and XM satellite radio in addition to the six-way adjustable driver's seat, power sunroof, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, keyless entry (with integrated fob) and heated power mirrors. In terms of safety equipment, the Aveo5 comes standard with front and side/thorax airbags. Four-wheel ABS brakes are optional.

Like many of its peers in the subcompact segment, the Aveo5 is a tall-form hatchback, which helps to improve passenger and cargo space. The upright body makes it easy for this small car to take on five passengers in comfort, and thanks to rear stadium seating, legroom isn't a problem. Though it doesn't have a sliding rear bench or the Fit's fancy Magic Seats, the Aveo5's rear seats split and fold offering up to 1,189 litres (42 cu-ft) of cargo capacity. Luggage space is a bit on the skimpy side when the seats are up though, at just 189 litres (7.0 cu-ft).

Perhaps the most important upgrade to the Aveo is its new engine. The old Holden-derived engine was course, loud and at 103 horsepower, at the bottom of the pack for power, but things are different with the new car.

Importantly, the new S-Tec II engine features variable valve timing for improved performance and fuel consumption. (Photo: Chevrolet)

GM has swapped in a new S-TEC II four-cylinder of the same displacement, but it gains dual continuous variable valve timing to make 107 horsepower and 106 lb-ft of torque. The addition of VVT also gives the Aveo a big 8-percent leap in fuel economy over the old car, affording it the ability to travel up to 643 km (400 mi) between fuel stops.

Addressing issues of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) is a quiet-tuned exhaust system that features a four-in-one sheetmetal exhaust manifold which should cut back on the buzziness.

Lastly, buyers have their pick between a five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic with "Hold" mode for easier starts on slippery surfaces.

The Aveo5 has always been a simple solution to motoring, but over the years GM has transformed this little subcompact machine bit by bit into a better vehicle by addressing appearance, performance, quality and features. With these model year '09 improvements, there's no question that it's a better way of getting from A-to-B, and now with a more efficient engine, C. The new Aveo5 will start showing up in dealerships mid 2008, and Chevrolet claims to have done some adjustments on the pricing in order to make it the cheapest new car on sale in the States. If that doesn't grab the attention of new car shoppers on a budget, we don't know what will.

Specifications (Aveo5):

• Base Price Range (est. LS - LT MSRP): $12,995 - $15,995
• Body: 5-door hatchback
• Layout: front engine, FWD
• Engine: 107-hp, 106 lb-ft of torque, 1.6L DOHC 16-valve I-4
• Transmission: 5-spd manual (opt. 4-spd auto)
• Cargo Capacity (seats up/down): 189 / 1,189 L (7.0 / 42.0 cu-ft)
• Wheels: 14-inch (opt. 15-inch)
• Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive, 60/160,000 powertrain
• Website: www.gmcanada.com