2010 Chevrolet Aveo

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Safety - What the Auto Press Says

Additional air bags did not make the list of improvements to the 2010 Aveo, and reviewers continue to be mildly disappointed in the standard fare. When it comes to crash tests, the Aveo receives moderate scores from both the federal government and insurance industry.

Crash Tests

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the 2009 Aveo sedan. five out of a possible five stars for the driver's protection in front crashes; four out of five stars for the passenger's protection in a front crash; four out of five stars for the driver's protection in a side impact collision; and three out of five stars for the rear passengers' protection in side crashes. The Aveo5 earns five stars for front impact crashes, and four out of five stars for side impact tests. Both the four-door and five-door Aveo receive a four-star rollover rating.
• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Aveo the second hightest rating, "Acceptable," in frontal offset tests, but the second lowest rating, "Marginal," in side impact tests.

Safety Features

Although visibility is one of the Aveo's greatest safety strengths, the list of standard and even optional safety equipment for the compact is devastatingly small. The car has four airbags -- dual-stage frontal ones for the driver and right-front passenger, and seat-mounted side impact airbags. Side curtains are not available. 

• "The generous side mirrors and extensive side glass helped us see people and vehicles outside. Visibility also benefits from retractable rear headrests and relatively narrow B- and C-pillars. The A-pillars are a little too wide." -- Autoweb
• "One of the first questions you have to ask is what kind of safety equipment you get ... All you need to do is make a list of all the safety hardware that is not available." -- Detroit News
• "Front-seat side airbags are standard on all trim levels, but side curtain airbags (a feature that is increasingly common on subcompacts) aren't available. Antilock brakes are optional on the LT models, but only on those with the automatic transmission." -- Edmunds
• "It's a small car. The laws of physics rule. Mass usually wins in contests between large and small. But the Aveo has other potential vulnerabilities. It has side air bags, but lacks head air bags. It offers antilock brakes as optional equipment. That equipment is standard on many rival subcompacts. It lacks electronic stability and traction control." -- Washington Post