2007 Chevrolet Aveo

It is easy to say that subcompact cars are definitely not for everyone. But they are for a lot of people and consumers will find some big surprises in the little Chevy Aveo.

The new Chevy Aveo is diminutive in size but exterior impressions are big thanks to the longer and wider body compared to the previous model. I liked the chrome-accented grille and headlamp treatment that is integrated into the hood. The rear taillamps are attractively set with jewel bezels.

Because of the high roofline, passengers will find voluminous space inside the Aveo. This translates to headroom as well as legroom and ultimately overall comfort.

Aveo has two models: LS and LT; I tester the latter.

Power comes from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 103 horsepower. This engine, like many things on the Aveo, is small. The upside is the 26 miles per gallon city and 34 mpg highway.

The base price of the Aveo LT is $13,450. My tester had a few options such as a 4-speed automatic transmission ($850); anti-lock brakes ($400) and great 6-disc CD player ($250) that brought the final price to a still-surprisingly-low $15,700. This is especially attractive when you consider GM cars now carry a 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The interior of the Aveo is of higher quality than most any car in this class. It contains appointments that I'd expect only in more expensive sedans like a tilt steering wheel; the 6-disc changer; rear window defogger; and daytime running lights.

I enjoyed the 180-watt audio system (with an iPod connection) and the six speakers. A small cabin doesn't need a lot of watts to rock and the Aveo has enough for three cars. The interior noise level was low enough for enjoyment at slow and highway speeds.

The four-speed automatic offers the ability to manually shift gears. Lofty standards and options make Aveo a nice base or attractive vehicle to 'option up.' My tester had leatherette seats, a $250 extra, which improved the interior appearance.

The new Aveo has an improved suspension that delivers better ride and handling. Chevy says Aveo has a turning circle of 33 feet.

Small cars often take big hits (literally and figuratively) for being less safe than their larger counterparts. The National Traffic Safety Administration has awarded a five-star rating in the offset frontal crash test for both driver and front passenger. Aveo is built with a high-strength steel structure so the passengers are seated in a safety cage. It also has dual-stage frontal airbags.

Overall, the Aveo is small -- but the value is huge in considering this subcompact.