2011 Chevrolet Aveo Trims and Specs

Despite bottom-dollar pricing, most subcompact buyers will skip the 2011 Chevy Aveo LS for lack of basic features made standard on other small cars. That's because the new Aveo LS is a straight carryover from the previous year’s model, powered by the same 1.6-liter, four-cylinder ECOTEC making 108 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque. Also, a widely spaced five-speed is the only gearbox available. The diminutive sedan – arriving with the same tedious outer shell and interior styling – is just as barren on standard equipment as its predecessor. The base LS comes with no floor mats, no air conditioning, no CD player, no trip computer, and no power anything. It does, however, have a standard auxiliary audio input jack and cloth reclining bucket seats with height-adjustable head restraints and a driver's seat armrest.

The redesigned, European-inspired Aveo RS sports hatch is confirmed and coming… just not this year. For 2011, Chevrolet Aveo5 LS buyers will have to live with a model identical to the 2010 version. That means the same off-the-rack exterior and bare-bones-empty interior devoid of air conditioning, floormats, a CD player, and power features. Reclining bucket seats with height-adjustable head restraints and a driver's seat armrest along with rear 60/40-split flip-and-fold seats with height-adjustable headrests are the only highlights in an otherwise dull hatch.

Under the hood nothing has changed either. The same 108-hp, 1.6-liter, four-cylinder ECOTEC engine, mated to a five-speed manual – the only transmission available – powers the 2011 Chevy Aveo5 LS.

The 2011 Chevrolet Aveo LT remains identical to the 2010 version. The same level of mediocrity shrouds the car both inside and out, while its 1.6-liter, four-cylinder ECOTEC – the same as last year’s – pulls the smallest Chevy from here to there with little to no excitement.

Being the midrange of the Aveo's three trim levels, the LT offers standard air conditioning, a 6-speaker premium audio system with CD/MP3 player, front and rear carpeted floormats, and two available convenience packages, which include a Driver Information Center, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a theft-deterrent system, power windows and door locks, and heated power-adjustable mirrors.

Subcompact buyers eyeing GM’s smallest hatch will find that the new 2011 Chevrolet Aveo5 LT isn’t new at all. A holdover from the 2010 version, the new LT offers little to brag about. It has plenty of headroom for tall drivers and passengers, with seating positions offering decent comfort and visibility.

The short list of features for the 2011 Aveo5 LT includes standard air conditioning, a 6-speaker premium audio system with CD/MP3 player, front and rear floormats, and two available convenience packages with power features, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a theft-deterrent system, and heated power-adjustable dual-fold mirrors. The car’s performance is even less impressive, thanks to its unchanged 108-hp, 1.6-liter, four-cylinder ECOTEC engine with an optional four-speed automatic transmission or standard five-speed manual.

2011 marks the last year of production for the first-generation Aveo5 LT2. For 2012, Chevrolet showrooms will make room for a completely redesigned Aveo hatch, featuring bold styling and European-inspired performance. Until then, the 2011 Chevy Aveo5 LT2 will remain GM’s sole offering to hatchback buyers willing to give up vim and refinement for bottom dollar.

Virtually identical to the 2010 version, the 2011 Aveo5 LT2 rides on 15-inch steel wheels and tops the Aveo trim lineup with heated, power-adjustable, body-color folding mirrors, power windows, cruise control, a rear spoiler, three months of XM radio, and an optional power sunroof. Pop the hood and you’ll also find the same lackluster 108-hp, 1.6-liter, four-cylinder ECOTEC engine with a standard wide-spaced five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic.

The 2011 Chevrolet Aveo LT2 bestows no surprises, since this little sedan was left virtually unchanged from the 2010 model year. Inside and out, the car looks the same. So if you’ve driven the 2010 Aveo – powered by the identical 108-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder ECOTEC – you’ll quickly discover the 2011 feels the same.

Like its predecessor, the 2011 Chevy Aveo LT2 tops off the trim-level hierarchy with 15-inch steel wheels, heated power-adjustable, body-color mirrors, XM radio with three trial months, power locks and windows, remote keyless entry, cruise control, and an available power sunroof.