Here is my test ride of the chevvy aveo 1.6.... Its now where near fiesta in FTD factor..... Fiesta is miles ahead.
Looks: Its a handsome looking car with just the right amount of flash. The version i test drove was the top end 1.6 which had power everything and alloys. The chrome strip breaks the montony at the back. The deep set chevvy grill looks good. The car sits high up the ground to make up for numerous potholes and monumental speedbreakers on indian roads, due to which the alloys look a tad small. The tyres specs are nice.... 185 section, tubeless and is a step in the right direction.
Interiors and Comfort: It has the best interiors in its class... Period. Everything inside is well built, Two tone dashboard, fake wood accents, save for few switches like the one used to control the AC. Visibility all around is good, the driver seat has all kinds of adjustments and finding a comfortable driving position is easy. I must mention the clutch effort, Aveo has one of the lightest clutch in its class if not the lightest, its even lighter than the Swift!
Its reasonably roomy.... didnt sat at the back so cannot comment.
Engine and Performance: Favours end here... the engine is lazy, flat out performance is nothing to write home about. Below 2500 rpm nothing happens, but mid-range is strong since the VGIS kicks after 2500 rpm. The engine is tweaked for fuel average and it shows in the performance. The car feels wanting for fuel at lower revs, the engine feels strained at higher revs. The claimed power output from this engine is 102 bhp, Fiesta's 100 throughbred horses are lot more agile and fast.
Not everything is wrong with the engine though. The driveability is good, you can potter around at 45 kmph in 5th gear and if you accelerate, it will do it without even a murmur, which is a good thing because the gearbox is horrible. Shifting is heavy, and try as you might, you just cannot shift fast. Its the biggest problem with the AVEO, GM needs to do something about the gearbox.
Chasis, Suspension and Braking: Aveo rides well... didnt get a chance to drive it on potholes but going over an odd pothole on the road, the suspension worked well, with muted thump, its silent and works unobstrusively. Steering is vague and even new car had a bit of play! Its not sharp and the feedback is absent, Numb is the right word. The biggest minus for me was the overall feel of the car... its just doesnt feels tight enough, doesnt have the built to last european feel that Fiesta has. The high speed manners are pretty average, i pushed it till 160 kmph on the greater noida expressway at which point it was literally flying! The brakes are another weak link, they just dont inspire enough confidence. They are wooden, press the pedal and almost nothing happens, you press a little more and then the brakes start to respond, but the feel while braking is absolutely pathetic.
Overall: I would prefer the Fiesta over the Aveo anyday. Fiesta has got a better engine, ride, chasis, suspension, gearbox, engine and brakes. Aveo has got great interiors, looks better, has better flash value and engine is also nice if you are the one who potters around the town in higher gears at low speeds.
The thing with Fiesta is the overall driving experience, after a few minutes behind the wheel you feel one with the car whereas with Aveo its just the other way round.
Fiesta Anyday! |