We look at three of the more popular models within the last generation of Chevrolet vehicles to be sold locally to find out if they will make for good first cars.
In 2017, General Motors South Africa announced that at the end of the same year, they will seize the manufacturing and selling of Chevrolet products in South Africa. However, if you are concerned about parts and service, there are still accredited vehicle dealers that can service and maintain the vehicles as well as source parts locally.
When you search for used Chevrolet models on AutoTrader, you will find quite a few examples available locally and due to the low prices, could be a good value for money proposition. However, will these used models make for a good first car, let us find out.
What to look for in a first car
Many first-time car buyers might make the mistake of focussing too much on the styling or convenience features fitted on a car. While getting a vehicle you are proud of and ultimately will love during ownership is important, first-time car buyers should always be realistic about what they require within a vehicle such as a large boot, parking sensors or even just to be frugal on fuel.
Then only should a vehicle buyer search for cars and eliminate options that do not meet their individual requirements. Customers should also take into account their monthly repayment budget and all the additional costs associated with owning a vehicle such as insurance premiums, fuel as well as servicing and maintenance costs.
Spark
You don’t have to drive very far to find a Chevrolet Spark on the road as these little hatchbacks offered quite a lot of value for the price when they were still new. In terms of safety, lower grade derivatives such as the base, Curve and LS models came fitted with only two airbags, however, the higher specified LT models come with four which bolsters the overall safety dramatically. All models came with ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution as standard specification. Families will also be happy to note that ISOFIX is also available across the range.
While most new hatchbacks come fitted with tiny turbocharged engines, the Spark offers up a 1.2-litre, naturally aspirated, 4-cylinder petrol motor coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission. This combination is capable of 60 kW and 108 Nm of torque and is claimed to return an average fuel consumption figure of 5.4 L / 100 km. In terms of space, the small American model provides seating for five occupants, however, three adults wouldn’t want to spend too much time on the rear bench and the boot is rated at 170-litres which can be expanded if the 60:40 split-folding rear seats are folded flat.
Aveo
The Aveo came in two body styles namely a hatch and a sedan. While customers have a choice between three sedan derivatives, the hatch is only available in ‘L’ grade and with a 5-speed manual transmission. The sedan can be had in ‘L’ or ‘LS’ guises with the latter offered with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. One constant throughout the Aveo range is the 1.6-litre, naturally aspirated, 4-cylinder petrol engine capable of 77 kW and 145 Nm of torque. Chevrolet claims that when mated to the manual gearbox the powertrain should return 7.3 L / 100 km while those coupled to the automatic transmission should achieve 7.7 L / 100 km in fuel consumption.
The entire Aveo range comes as standard with ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, two airbags and ISOFIX anchor points for safety equipment. While both body styles do offer five seats, the hatch only provides for 220-litres of luggage space at the rear while the sedan will accommodate 440-litres.
Sonic
Like with the Aveo range, the Chevrolet Sonic is available in both sedan and hatchback configurations, this time, however, the customer has a choice between two hatch offerings and two sedans. Both sedan variants come in ‘LS’ grade and with identical, 1.6-litre, naturally aspirated, 4-cylinder petrol engines capable of 85 kW and 155 Nm of torque, however, where the one comes fitted with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the other gets a 6-speed automatic transmission.
One of the ‘LS’ trim hatchbacks also features the same 1.6-litre powertrain coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission, however, is claimed to return an average fuel consumption figure of 6.5 L / 100 km, whereas the manual sedan promises 6.4 L / 100 km and the automatic sedan 6.9 L / 100 km. The Chevrolet Sonic RS, the fourth variant claims an average return of 6.6 L / 100 km from its 103 kW and 200 Nm, 1.4-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Both ‘LS’ and ‘RS’ derivates come fitted with four airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist as well as ISOFIX anchor points as standard equipment, while the ‘RS’ variant further benefits from a traction control system. In terms of space, all four models offer five seats in the cabin, however, the sedan derivatives come with a 290-litre boot while the hatchback offerings provide 253-litres.
Verdict
As can be seen in this article, the Chevrolet ranges discussed here still competes with budgets vehicles in the same segments today even though these models have since been discontinued. Thus, if a first-time car buyer can get past the age of the vehicle as well as find an accredited service centre nearby that is still able to order parts, then there should be no reason why they shouldn’t consider a used Chevrolet model as their first vehicle.
Keyword: Are Chevrolet good first cars?