Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Small car, big sense

It's taken some time coming but Chevrolet's new small car is a clever combination of looks, a peppy engine and space, says ASHISH MASIH

SPACE WAGON The Aveo UV-A might not have the panache of the Swift, but it truly comes across as the best solution for a practical-minded, small-car buyer

Chevrolet knows what Indians want - good looks, roomy interiors, a peppy engine and all this at a decent price. And that's exactly what the company has delivered with the Aveo U-VA.

The U-VA has clean, uncluttered lines and a solid no-nonsense look about it. It looks less dramatic than the Swift but no less charismatic. It's a modern looking and fresh design that won't excite but surely won't disappoint either.

Engine and performance

The four-cylinder, 1150cc engine is smaller than the 1298cc unit of the Maruti Suzuki Swift and the 1341cc unit of the Hyundai Getz. But despite this, the U-VA's motor puts out a respectable 76 bhp, (about 11 bhp less than the Swift and 7 bhp less than the Getz) and delivers a good torque figure of 11.2 kgm. All-out performance, as expected, isn't scorching, but that's not to say that it's bad or lethargic, not in the least. It takes 16.4 seconds to get to 100 kph from rest, identical to the Palio 1.2, but slower than the Swift's 12.29 seconds. But the U-VA never feels underpowered in the city and you'll never feel the need to switch off the aircon while overtaking. The engine is a smooth and refined unit with a responsive nature, especially at low revs, and this makes the car a delight to use in city. It's only on the highway that the engine feels out of breath and a bit strained and you miss a little extra cubic capacity - shifting into a lower gear is mandatory out there while overtaking.

The U-VA rides better than it handles, which means that it doesn't feel as lively around corners as the Swift. But it's nowhere near as bumpy as the Swift either. The suspension filters bumps quite well, but it doesn't like any sharp changes in direction. The Swift has the edge for those looking for a dynamic drive but the U-VA does a better job of keeping its occupants more comfortable. The brakes offer positive feedback and have a confidence-inspiring feel about them.

Passenger space is the U-VA's trump card. The cabin is roomier than the Swift and feels airy as well. Chevrolet has given the U-VA's interiors a circular design theme, which looks quite fresh and pleasant. The gauges, aircon vents and centre console are all circular. Even the door release handles inside the cabin are circular. However, the sea of grey plastic seems a bit dreary. The dashboard is funky and it all feels well built - you will especially like the rubberised feel around the centre console.

The driving position is comfortable but it's in the rear where the car excels, with generous space for three adults. Tall drivers will be comfortable, while rear passengers can stretch their legs and tuck them under the high-mounted front seats. Unfortunately, the rear seats are a touch too hard and upright as well, which compromises on sitting comfort. The boot is slightly smaller than the Getz's and not very spacious either.

The circular gauges are quite easy to read and the information display at the top of the centre console displays the time — a thoughtful touch. The big windows and rear-view mirrors make navigating through traffic easy enough. But the ergonomics aren't perfect. Rear visibility is poor thanks to tall rear seats, which partially block the rear windscreen, and this can be quite irritating while reversing into tight spots. Also, the indicator stalks are placed on the left, so there will be plenty of times that you'll end up using the wipers to indicate a turn. And, there's only one cabin light near the rear-view mirror - it isn't sufficient to light up the cabin. Besides, the horn button is placed in the centre of the steering wheel and is inconvenient to operate.

What we think

The 1.2 engine means that the U-VA will meet the tax benefits the government now allows to cars below 4,000 mm in length and with a sub-1200cc petrol engine. And that puts the U-VA right there with the Swift LXi as far as price is concerned. The Swift has the edge on styling and image, but the U-VA more than makes up with its space, practicality and a responsive engine. What's more, we expect Chevrolet to offer warranty and service packages similar to its other cars. This Chevy makes good sense and is perfect city car for a family who needs space. And we suggest that you add this car to the list of options if you're shopping around for a small, practical urban runabout.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail