The latest competitor in the subcompact car market from Chevrolet comes in the form of the 2009 Chevy Aveo. This model is slowly but surely winning over drivers who prefer larger vehicles, with its charm.

You can opt for one of three models where the Aveo LT represents the flagship of this range. Hand gear models as well as an automatic version – available in the LT series only – is available. As far as price is concerned the Aveo comes in as very affordable.

The shift to smaller cars came about as the cost of driving large cars has escalated tremendously. Fuel prices and fuel economy factors sway a lot of buyers and the Aveo sports, variable timing of valves in the 4 cylinder engine got a bit of a re design before release. The higher economy rate this delivers makes for a very strong point in favor of the Chevy.

The automatic gear models prove even better regarding consuming fuel, as the hand gears sometimes cause unnecessary engine revs while the driver gets used to the longer gear shifts.

Chevrolet also worked on the overall safety aspects of the Aveo, as they know that huge a drawback in the small car market is the feeling drivers have that these cars will not protect them during an accident. They have introduced side placed airbags in the front of all their models and designed a nifty anti lock system for the breaks.

Severe crash tests as done by the National Highway Traffic safety Administration saw the Aveo get a 5 star rating for driver protection. This is the top score the NHTSA give out. Four stars were awarded for passengers in the front seat and three for side impact test. All in all great safety results!

The Aveo is available in two body styles – the sedan as well as the four door hatch back model. All models seat 5 passengers in a freshly designed interior with many added features. Standard on all models are intermittent windscreen wipers, a stereo featuring am and fm stations, four speakers and an auxiliary jack. OnStar comes standard as well.

The LT model steps up comfort with a more sophisticated speaker system (six of them) in combination with a CD player. You can choose extra features like keyless access, electric windows, central locking and a satellite radio.

The choice of cloth in the interiors give all the models a classy feel – a step up from the previous models that had a cheaper feel about them. Metal trim finishes and luxurious cloth choices set the LT model apart. As with all subcompacts the baggage storage area seems a bit small, but the LT offers quite an improved size.

The Aveo has proven to be a good choice in small cars to save money on daily commuting.

Andy Zain is the admin of Chevy Aveo Forum , a place where fans and owners can get the right information for tuning, customization and general discussions on anything about Chevy Aveo. Get the information you need when you visit Chevy Forum