Engineers and designers of the largest automobile concerns have always faced a difficult task: how to make an affordable, recognizable among competitors, safe and in-demand car for the masses of motorists? We will look for the answer to this question in a comparative review of the “affordable sedans” so beloved by domestic consumers, as the manufacturers themselves position them.

Chevrolet Aveo is already in its third generation. Production of the new model began in 2011. This car is a front-wheel drive compact sedan of class “B”, also known under the nickname Sonic. The majority of cars received a modern naturally aspirated petrol unit of 1.4 and 1.6 liters, which can optionally be combined with either an automatic or a manual transmission.

Volkswagen Polo the model is not new, but the sedan is the new product that was created specifically for the markets of the CIS countries. The front-wheel drive B-Class car is an extended version of the Polo hatchback platform, but has its own distinctive features. The model was presented to the public in 2010. ICE options are limited to a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine. A choice of automatic or manual transmission is available.

The cars presented in the review have 1.6 liter power units paired with an automatic transmission.

Chevrolet Aveo

From the front, the car looks very aggressive and unexpectedly fresh for a budget sedan. The main role in this is played by head optics that are non-standard for modern cars. We are used to seeing round twin headlight wells on Italian Alfa Romeo or BMW from the era of the 90s, but not on a modern mass-produced car. The wide hood has clearly defined ribs, which suggests even a certain amount of “sport” in the appearance of the front end. The cornerstone radiator grille puts an impressive point on the overall perception of the Aveo's front.

The side part laconically continues the given note. From the rear to the front there is an inclined line of stamping at the bottom of the doors, rapidly tightening the sides of the car. The rear is of particular interest. Looking at the car from behind, bitter disappointment immediately arises. There is no trace left of sports aggression! And the point here is not at all in the narrowed trunk lid, which looks on the body of the car like short trousers that do not fit the size of a lanky young man. It's all because of the taillights, which would have suited a completely different car. They are wide, slightly reminiscent of a rectangle with beveled lines, and located vertically. The rear design looks cheap and fails completely.

Volkswagen Polo Sedan

The front part of the sedan is made strictly, ascetically and very “German”. There is a significant similarity with the Polo hatchback. The only differences are in the finishing touches: a narrow radiator grille with chrome stripes, a strict front bumper with mounting niches for fog lights. Sharp “cuts” in the lines of the head optics and a large corporate logo make the car recognizable, steadily following the general design concept of VAG. The result was a kind of “intellectual” who was about to take part in a street fight for the first time.

The profile looks a little stretched, but this nuance is well hidden by the “step” stamping at the bottom of the doors and the strict line above the door handles, which stretches from the edge of the rear headlights to the very edge of the headlights. The round gas tank flap can add its own special charm if you consider exactly the side where it is located. The rear part, unlike the Aveo, did not receive any design refinements. In the list of potential budget employees for personal purchase, Polo confidently takes its place in the top 5 main contenders for purchase. The simple rear lights and the slightly narrowed, taut and strict trunk lid catch the eye. The ironed lines of the bumper successfully complement the overall picture.

If we look at cars exclusively from the front and sides, the Chevrolet Aveo looks much more profitable than the Volkswagen Polo Sedan. It is more modern, bold and youthful. Middle-aged people will also like the car. A surprise will await you only when you decide to gaze admiringly at a cute little car with a bright golden bow tie floating by. Be prepared to be at least surprised, and, to be more frank, completely disappointed by the appearance of the rear of the car.
Polo Sedan does not have any surprises in store, checked! Walk around and look at it at least a hundred times from any angle, but the strict and laconic design idea dominates everywhere, giving the impression of reliability, good quality and... boredom! An ordinary sedan from Volkswagen, only a little smaller.
The winner is the Aveo model. One way or another, Chevrolet designers achieved their main goal! The car arouses interest and attracts increased attention, which cannot be said about the Polo Sedan model.

Salon

Chevrolet Aveo

Surprises await riders inside the car, and this time they are pleasant. Although high-quality plastic is the main finishing material for most elements of the interior space, everything is assembled with high quality, without cracks, rough cuts or gaps. The main color was black, which was diluted with inserts and chrome trim of functional elements.

The most interesting solution in the interior of the sedan was dashboard. It is made in a “motorcycle” style, representing a combination of an analog tachometer under a small visor, as well as a large digital display that displays large speed numbers and other useful information. For some drivers, this decision may require some getting used to, but after 5 minutes behind the wheel of the car, everything returns to its usual place. The speedometer is informative, the readings are read just fine. Externally, the dashboard is rectangular in shape, the numbers are clear, and there is no need to worry about glare. It turned out stylish, non-standard, innovative. In a word, the surprise was a success and turned out to be very successful.

Seats in the sedan they are made of high-quality fabric, pleasant to the touch. The profile is implemented as standard for a car of this price category: mediocre lateral support, poorly developed lumbar support. The stiffness of the seats is at an average level, nothing unexpected. Seat height adjustment is available, and the power reserve of the backrest and cushions in the planes should be enough for a driver of any size. The cushion may seem a little short for tall drivers.

Now a few words about the design of the dashboard and center console. Such things as air deflectors have become an important element on the dashboard. Those round “vent” holes on the sides look very classy and expensive. The designers did their best, the front part of the cabin looks fashionable and modern. In the center are the usual rectangular airflow elements.

The next position in the interior that attracts attention is the center console. It protrudes above the general plane, has a functional shelf on top and side “ears”, which are convenient open niches for storing small items. This beauty is emphasized by the silver lines in the upper part, which are contours. Next comes a nice multimedia device with a medium-sized longitudinal narrow screen and two stylish controls at the extreme points. Button elements are placed in a separate area a little lower. It looks beautiful, to say the least.

Climate control unit is located under the center console ledge and is painted gray. At the top there is an alarm button, and the bottom serves as a place for three large controls for the climate system. They are round in shape and have chrome rims.

Steering wheel has a large radius. The background of the dashboard makes it seem even larger than it actually is. The rim is comfortable to hold, although it may feel a little thin. The steering wheel is three-spoke, multifunctional. It has the ability to adjust reach and height.

Central tunnel sloping, separating the driver and passenger areas in the front row, but it cannot be called very high. The gear selector lever has an ergonomic teardrop shape. Next comes the parking brake handle, which is located in a classic way. The central armrest can be called “decorative”, since it is narrow and does not promise high comfort on a long trip.

The Aveo interior is filled with a lot of functional niches, drawers and compartments. The ergonomics of most solutions are excellent; there are no complaints about the functionality of the interior. The backlighting of the instrument panel and control elements is made using blue, white and yellow colors.

In the back row everything is much simpler, an ordinary sofa and boring dark plastic. There is a strong contrast compared to the front seats.

Volkswagen Polo

Strict German “classics” have climbed into all corners of the interior space of the compact sedan. The high-quality texture of the plastic material and the excellent fit of the dashboard elements immediately attract attention. A minimum of chrome and a maximum of black became the main color scheme of the Polo interior.

Seats Made of good quality fabric, pleasant to the touch. The profile is not harsh, everything is balanced for a typical city car. There is lateral support, but it is expressed at an average level. The anatomical structure of the chairs did not cause any comments; the seat was comfortable and quite comfortable for the back and lower part. There are enough adjustments, you can change the height of the pillow, actively adjust the backrest angle, etc.

Central panel I got nice rectangular air deflectors with soft outer corners. Chrome rims dilute the ascetic black color of the dashboard.

Herself console made so as to simultaneously protrude, but not visually stand out above the general plane. The upper part has a pair of deflectors, then there is a longitudinal row of function keys with a central “emergency warning” button. The audio system has a fairly wide monochrome display and two nice controls on the sides, which have a chrome finish.

Climate system has a similar design, only the screen is much smaller. It is worth recognizing that recognizing climate system readings is not always convenient from the driver’s seat. It may sound a little picky, but it seemed so subjective.

Overhang central tunnel ends with a large niche, inside which is a cigarette lighter. Next comes the gearshift lever itself. It is not very tall, has a very comfortable handle and a thin chrome belt. The parking brake lever occupies its usual place for most drivers.

Central armrest proudly rises above the handbrake, without particularly interfering with the full use of this element. The armrest itself is wide, with good support for comfort on long trips. Under the parking brake handle itself there is a small recess for small items, which seems to be a convenient solution. No need to look for space in the cabin for small items.

Steering wheel has an excellent diameter. The steering wheel itself is light, three-spoke, multifunctional, and covered with excellent material. You can observe a light chrome finish, which fits very organically into the overall concept of the interior decoration.

Separately worth mentioning armrests on door cards. Their width is quite enough to not only lean on, but also completely rest your left hand during idle moments. The shape of the armrest itself also directly contributes to this function.

Dashboard classic, without any excesses. The tachometer and speedometer scales, and between them the trip computer. This element has a small diagonal, but given its convenient location, information can be read without any problems. The main colors for highlighting elements are white and red.

The interior should be assessed with one significant amendment. Everything will depend on the age of the appraiser, his aspirations and personal preferences. For lovers of the classics, the functional and modest design of the Volkswagen Polo will be quite enough. There is nothing superfluous, everything is in its rightful and painfully familiar places.
Those who strive for novelty and modernism will definitely like the Aveo interior. It has style, personality and charm, which is perfectly combined with functionality and ergonomics. Chevrolet designers surprised us once again with their bold decisions, and everything in the interior looks exclusively positive. The Chevrolet Aveo model captivates with its modern look and style, becoming the winner at this stage of comparing the two sedans.

Ride quality

Chevrolet Aveo received a front McPherson with anti-roll bar. The rear part has a semi-independent, spring suspension.

The bottom thrust is normal for a city sedan; the engine comes to life only in the middle speed range. This nature entails slightly increased fuel consumption when trying to set and maintain a brisk pace. Noise insulation is average, the engine can be clearly heard in the cabin as the speed increases, and the wheel arches remind you of the change in quality of the asphalt surface at speed.

The chassis settings allow you to comfortably move over small bumps and minor holes. The suspension is afraid of larger potholes, willingly breaking through with a dull muttering blow.

The steering wheel is light and precise, with a well-defined zero position. On a straight line, the car willingly adheres to the given trajectory. It is worth considering that the car has a slight windage. Front and rear axle drifts can begin much earlier than many expect. So you shouldn’t cross the permitted speed limits when actively maneuvering.

Brakes and electronic systems form a tandem typical for a low-ambitious representative. The front has disc mechanisms, and the rear has drums.

Volkswagen Polo sedan equipped at the front with the usual McPherson strut with anti-roll bar. At the rear, the sedan has a semi-independent, spring suspension design. Pickup is fairly smooth throughout the entire rev range. The sound insulation of the engine compartment is at a sufficient level, but the wheel arches are slightly inferior in terms of the quality of protecting the interior from external noise.

The chassis is energy-intensive, but you shouldn’t get carried away. The suspension breaks through on sharp asphalt cuts relatively easily, which is reflected by a muffled knock.

The steering settings make it easy and comfortable to drive a car that readily obeys the steering wheel and holds its trajectory well on straight sections. The sedan demonstrates good resistance to axial drift at a reasonable speed.

Front brakes are disc, ventilated. Rear drum type mechanisms. The car slows down well, and electronic assistants are competently connected to work if necessary.

The driving performance of the Volkswagen Polo allows it to outperform the Chevrolet Aveo at this stage of comparison. The German sedan turned out to be better balanced and more honest to drive. An important role in this assessment was played by suspension settings and sound insulation. These qualities allowed the Polo to become a more profitable car compared to the Chevrolet Aveo, which, although slightly, still lagged behind its competitor in terms of rating characteristics and overall driving impressions.

Capacity

Chevrolet Aveo (Sonic) shows good capacity in its class. The front is quite spacious, especially in height. The margin in width is not completely absent, but there is a slight feeling of tightness, characteristic of the class of the car.

The rear row of seats produces a similar impression, but three people can still fit on the rear sofa only with questionable and relative comfort. The advantage is the same headroom. But the legroom is minimal, and to be honest, it’s practically non-existent.

The trunk has good capacity, which is limited by the narrow loading opening. This feature will not allow you to place oversized cargo.

Volkswagen Polo sedan looks spacious in width. This is actually true. There's plenty of shoulder room in the front row, but headroom can be tight.

A similar picture is observed in the back row. With a hint of comfort, you can accommodate three passengers on the rear sofa. It is worth mentioning that the wheelbase provides quite an acceptable margin in the area of ​​legroom for rear passengers. The only thing that remains a little controversial is the headroom.

The trunk is not the largest in the class, but the fairly wide loading opening slightly compensates for this shortcoming. The second advantage can be considered the ability to recline the seat back in the back row with a small shelf.

The leader at this stage of the comparison is a car from Volkswagen, whose interior spaciousness turned out to be slightly better compared to its competitor. The Polo offers more legroom for rear passengers, more space in width, and a better trunk compared to the Aveo in terms of ergonomics and ease of loading. The only advantage of the Chevrolet can be considered the height in the cabin and the larger capacity of the trunk, but this does not allow it to become the winner in the overall ranking in terms of spaciousness.

Economical

The Volkswagen Polo takes a slight lead in terms of fuel efficiency, although this cannot be called a clear victory. The Chevrolet Aveo received slightly better dynamic and torque characteristics compared to its competitor.

Safety

Basic model Chevrolet Aveo:

Basic Volkswagen Polo model:

1. ABS system
2. driver/passenger front airbags

Euro NCAP crash test result: 5 stars.

A comparative review of car safety determines the Volkswagen Polo as the winner, since the presence of an anti-lock braking system ABS is an advantage of this car relative to the Chevrolet Aveo.

The editorial debate about which of the sedans is prettier ended before it even began.

The Polo sedan won unconditionally. Stylish optics, minimal gaps between the elements (a little finger can fit between the headlight and the closed hood of the Aveo without any problems). The only thing that “wet the score” was the rear view, which in the Chevrolet seemed a little more solid and balanced, while the rear of the Polo was designed in such a way that it seemed thinner than it actually is.

The Aveo was also let down by the decorative hubcaps and the not-so-serious blue color; in black and with alloy wheels it would be more competitive. Maybe.

Salon

Inside, like the outside, the VW is a step more modern, both aesthetically and functionally. Although the hard steering wheel, which does not even have control buttons at maximum speed, slightly spoiled the more than decent interior appearance. However, the plastic itself, which is used to trim the doors and dashboard, is quite hard; The question logically arose - how much more expensive would the car be if VW plastic were used like in a regular Polo... But the organization of the driver’s tools is like in a real Volkswagen. The instruments are perfectly readable, with a small on-board computer screen between them. The information displayed on it can be controlled by buttons on the steering column stalk with wipers.

Aveo is simpler. But everything vital is also in place: the air conditioner and the standard double-size radio, unpopular with thieves, are firmly established on the center console. Good news: there are two buttons on the steering wheel. The bad: these are horn buttons that you can’t hit if you press on the steering wheel out of habit...

It's a bit cramped in the back of the Polo. That is, there is enough space for the knees, but the hard roof trim touches the head. And there will only be enough shoulder room for two. Aveo is more spacious in width, although those taller than 180 cm will also complain about the height to the roof.

Dynamics

At first glance, the comparison is unfair: under the hood of the Polo sedan there was a 1.6-liter 105-horsepower engine, while the Aveo only had a 1.4 engine. But the power of the Chevrolet, whose engine capacity is a whole glass smaller, differed by only 4 hp. Therefore, there is not much difference in dynamics, only in the nature of the set.

The six-speed automatic transmission (not bad for a budget employee, right?!) diligently changes gears, suggesting a more frugal use of fuel - the salon managers drove before us so that the average consumption according to the on-board computer was about 15 liters per hundred! The Japanese Aisin automatic transmission works great, and in sport mode it allows you to hold the gear longer and helps you move around the city faster. Aveo is not inferior at the start, winning due to the rare gear changes - the Chevrolet automatic has only 4 gears, but in the city this is enough. Despite its age, this transmission copes with its duties just as well; we especially liked the invisibility of upshifts and the predictability of downshifts.

The Volkswagen's steering is more transparent: the neutral position is better marked, and the slightest deviation causes an increasing desire of the steering wheel to return back. The Chevrolet is a little less informative, and at low speeds the handling becomes sharply less sharp, unlike the Polo.

The suspension of both sedans is quite stiff, but as the quality of the road deteriorates, the Aveo looks more comfortable. However, the Polo sedan is rehabilitated on smooth asphalt by the fact that it holds a straight line perfectly, turns even with slight rolls (the almost off-road ground clearance has an effect), but without leaving the intended trajectory.

The ground clearance of the Polo sedan is 1.5 cm higher than that of the Aveo (170 versus 155 mm), this can be useful on a bumpy country road, say, on the way to the country. But even the Chevrolet’s more modest ground clearance won’t cause any discomfort on city streets – for example, both cars can park with their front wheels close to the curb.

Money

The entrance fee to the club for owners of the Polo sedan and Aveo with automatic transmissions is 512,000 and 513,000 rubles, respectively. In the case of Chevrolet, in addition to the automatic, the buyer also receives a fully equipped car with the maximum equipment. However, for this amount the Aveo will not have heated seats and longitudinal steering column adjustment. But in Polo there is no music or air conditioning - everything is for a fee.

What's the result?

The Volkswagen Polo is worth the wait. Moreover, the Kaluga plant is about to increase car production several times, and the queues will be shorter. More likely. But Polo is your option, but it can no longer be called inexpensive (compared to its competitors). If money is tight and every ruble is important, Aveo is a classic “budget car”: they won’t charge you extra for the German-style and ergonomic interior and body, but only for all the essentials already included in the list of equipment.

One of the popular and inexpensive models of the sedan class, which we will subject to a comparative analysis today, is the Chevrolet Cruze, as well as its worthy rival or simply its German analogue - the Volkswagen Jetta. Putting unnecessary facts and unnecessary little things into the background, let’s compare cars whose automobile industries are quite original and based on different approaches and traditions. To say unequivocally which of these cars is more prestigious would not be entirely correct. Both the “German” and the “Korean” with an Americanized name have their own strengths and weaknesses, which will be discussed further in this material.

For a general vision of the confrontation, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the table of technical characteristics of each of these cars. So, half the battle is already done. Now let's go directly through the appearance of the participants and dwell on the important details.

Model	Chevrolet Cruze	Volkswagen Jetta
Engine and transmission
Engine power, hp	122	105
Fuel supply	Multipoint fuel injection and common rail
Mass and volume
Weight, kg	1360	1320
Vehicle turning radius, m	10	11
Trunk volume (min.), l	500	510
Tank volume, l	60	55
Towing weight with brakes (max.), kg	1200	1400
Performance
Starting acceleration up to 100 km/h, s	12.2	11.3
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (mixed mode), l/100 km	6.3	5.6
Emissions
CO 2 emissions level, g/km	151	109
additional characteristics
Length, mm	4681	4644
Width, mm	1797	2020
Wheels and tires, mm
Wheelbase, mm	2685	2651

Appearance and design solutions

No one is surprised by the conservatism of the “German”’s designers, who do not leave the car a single chance for its individuality. However, as most critics and experts note, it is this approach that gives rise to something more, namely the invaluable traditions of Volkswagen, which have been maintained for a long time. That is why the Volkswagen Jetta is distinguished by the features of a strictly verified design and harmonious lines.

On the other hand, the black color does not suit the Chevrolet Cruze; such a car is not much different from the color of dirty asphalt, and in winter it looks like just a black crow on white snow. The positive point in all this is the strictly individual design, thanks to which the Chevrolet Cruze cannot be confused with any other car model. However, there is always a representative of the sedan class that can provide worthy competition for our participants in terms of design. In this case, whether it is a Chevrolet Cruze or a Volkswagen Jetta, as a result, each of them will become an outsider in the competition. In the meantime, we continue to further examine all the possibilities, advantages and disadvantages of the participants in the Chevrolet Cruze vs Volkswagen Jetta confrontation.

Ride quality and acceleration dynamics

An important parameter for driving on Russian roads is the ride height. According to this criterion, which is significant for Russian car owners, the victory goes to the Volkswagen Jetta - 160 mm, while the Chevrolet Cruze has only 150 mm. The Jetta is distinguished by the presence of sufficient interior space, which is advantageous in many aspects, especially for rear seat passengers. And this is with a relatively small wheelbase, the length of which is very modest and not much more than 2.6 m. In the Jetta, passengers sitting in the back seat will find a place not only to comfortably place their arms and legs, but also to easily determine where to put their glasses . And in addition to the shelves and radiators, there is a 12-volt socket.

There is only one “but” in all this interior splendor - the pedestal is too protruding and is close to the rear seat, and when traveling with three, it is somewhat difficult to find a seat for one of the passengers. In the front of the Jetta, everything is as unified as possible - a simple dashboard on which the main dynamic sensors are displayed, the car's interior is comfortable, but there is work for designers here. Therefore, there is no high rating for the performance of the interior of the Volkswagen Jetta model.

Designers from Korea worked like professional surgeons on the skillful outlines and smooth transitions of the body of the Chevrolet Cruze. Even if you can notice some distant reminder of the Daewoo Lacetti, however, this is only a very slight similarity of the car. Thanks to this auto design project, the Koreans won among many studios that competed for the right to create an image for this car. As the authors themselves say, they drew inspiration and basic ideas from the traditions of the old American automobile industry from Chevrolet. Therefore, today, looking at the Chevrolet Cruze model, you feel how the roof line of the car flows to the rear lights from the low hood through the high trunk.

But in terms of free space inside the cabin, the Chevrolet Cruze is among the representatives of its class in a not particularly prestigious middle position. The rear seat is quite spacious, and the legs of the passenger sitting behind do not rest against the front seats, due to the concavity of the latter. The gap between the heads of those sitting in the rear seat and the ceiling is not too large, due to the large slope of the roof towards the rear. Another indisputable disadvantage of this car is that warm air is supplied only to the soles of the feet.

Interior equipment Chevrolet Cruze vs Volkswagen Jetta

The Chevrolet Cruze differs from the Jetta in that it is more equipped with buttons and adjustment knobs. But sometimes, while in the Cruise cabin, a feeling of budget and economy creeps in, in terms of style and interior design. Hard plastic, the most ordinary seat upholstery and the presence of a distinct plastic smell in the cabin. Cruise also has some disadvantages in the design of the tachometer and speedometer, which also have insufficient backlight brightness. In contrast, the Jetta's driver's seat is comfortable and well padded.

The Jetta's luggage compartment is more than 500 liters, which gives the car the ability to transport even skis, since there is a window between the trunk and the passenger compartment. The rear seats are equipped with a fastening mechanism that can be unfastened from the trunk. The cargo trunk of the Chevrolet Cruze is medium in size and amounts to 450 liters. The rear seats can also be unfastened from the trunk.

Reasons and reasons for choosing Chevrolet Cruze vs Volkswagen Jetta

Comparing which is better than the Volkswagen Jetta or the Chevrolet Cruze, we found out several reasons that may contribute to the purchase of a Chevrolet Cruze:

• The first reason why a purchase can be made is the price factor. The price of the car is competitive with other brands in the same class.
• The second factor favoring the purchase is a bright and eye-catching car that stands out from others. With a length of more than 4.5 m, it can conditionally be classified as a D-class car.
• Thirdly, the maneuverability and speed parameters of the Chevrolet Cruze appeal to many who love driving fast. Its suspension and steering feel excellent at speed, making the car easy to control.
• Fourth, a powerful engine (1.8 l) with a 6-speed automatic transmission. With such power, it is economical.
• And, lastly, the Chevrolet Cruze is included in the list of models, upon purchase of which, you can return your old car and receive a discount of 50 thousand rubles.

But, despite all the excellent reviews about Chevrolet, there are also disadvantages to this choice. Therefore, taking into account all the pros, there are also three cons:

1. The car, equipped with a 1.6 liter engine, accelerates poorly and moves rather sluggishly. This was facilitated by its predecessor, the Daewoo Lacetti, on the basis of which Cruise appeared.
2. The price of a car with a 1.6 liter engine is somewhat steep, given the first negative factor.
3. Some sparse interior design made of plastic in dark colors may seem dull.

Compared to the 1.6 liter engine, the 1.8 liter looks significantly attractive, increasing the power and maneuverability of the car, giving it dynamics. As for the Volkswagen Jetta, the car is amazingly built and has its own memorable face. Space in the cabin, climate control, protection from external odors and noise are important advantages. One option is a car equipped with a DSG automatic transmission. But this is a car for wealthy customers, although in the urban cycle the automatic transmission justifies itself.

Outside the city, in combination with a 122-horsepower engine and a DSG gearbox, the Volkswagen Jetta is capable of reaching 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds. The manual transmission installed on Jettas operates smoothly and without complaints. European buyers are offered cars with 6 power units - 2 turbodiesels: 1.6 liters and 2.0 liters, there are economical 1.2 liters and 1.4 with turbocharged engines.

Thus, buying a Volkswagen Jetta today means giving preference to a truly German classic of the automotive industry, with significant development in favor of the priority of progress and attracting new design solutions. In addition, this car has proven itself to be a worthy assistant in family affairs, capable of transporting large loads, turning a long trip into a pleasure, and also taking care of each passenger individually. And thanks to its sporty appearance and its modest external elegance, it will allow every car owner to emphasize his independence and the indestructible character of a conservative and at the same time a true fan of Volkswagen.

The active promotion of German “people's cars” to the Russian masses has long been hampered by high price tags. Now that the model range has been replenished with truly affordable Volkswagen, the public, accustomed to counting every ruble, has poured into dealer showrooms. Prices for the Polo sedan start at 399,000 rubles for the Trendline version with a 1.6 engine (105 hp) and manual transmission. A car with an automatic transmission will cost at least 512,300 rubles, and this is one of the best offers on the market, especially since the automatic transmission here is quite modern, 6-speed, with manual shifting. The Chevrolet Aveo has an old automatic transmission, 4-speed, without manual mode. And it is available only in the most expensive LS version paired with a 1.4 engine (101 hp), at a price of 513,880 rubles. At first glance, Polo looks clearly preferable, but again - it's a turn... Perhaps Aveo is not much worse?

In the city

In an urban environment, Chevrolet is really not much inferior to its newly minted rival: despite the fact that the automatic transmission here is not the most advanced, Aveo accelerates vigorously and organically fits into the rhythm of the metropolis. It's lighter and shorter than the Polo, requiring less parking space, but even with power steering, the steering can feel stiff at low speeds, especially for women. The Volkswagen steering wheel is easier to turn in parking lots, but the dimensions are felt worse - the parking radar, apparently, will become one of the most popular options for the Polo. The acceleration dynamics of the German car will pleasantly surprise many, but in the city, where the speed is constantly changing and frequent switching is required, the “automatic” works, albeit quickly, but somewhat nervously - a consequence of a high degree of adaptability.

In the country

On highways, the Volkswagen Polo confidently takes the lead: excellent directional stability, confident overtaking and an energy-intensive suspension make long trips in this car quite comfortable and not too tiring for the driver. Driving fast in a Chevrolet Aveo requires much more stress: at three-digit speeds, the lack of gearbox gears becomes obvious - you have to overtake while the engine is strained to howl.

The Aveo holds a straight line worse than the Polo, which, coupled with the less informative steering, is tiring.

Passengers are more concerned about shuddering and swaying of the body on large uneven road surfaces and high noise levels. In addition, Aveo is forced to stop for refueling more often: its tank holds 10 liters of gasoline less than that of Polo.

Controllability

Volkswagen cars have always been distinguished by the highest level of chassis refinement, and the Polo sedan demonstrates the breed without any discounts on budget. Exemplary information content of the steering is combined with no less exemplary directional stability, roll in corners is minimal - driving the Polo along a winding country road is easy and pleasant. The only thing we can blame it for is the lack of information content of the brake drive, but this will be noted only by those who have driven a Polo hatchback - it is easier to control deceleration there. The Aveo brakes in normal modes are quite comfortable and reliable, but in an emergency stop you have to apply too much force to the brake pedal, and the Brake Assist system here, alas, is not even offered as an option, nor is ESP, whereas the Polo has a handling stabilization system included in the optional Premium package.

In addition to the lack of ESP, the desire to drive the Aveo is discouraged by a lack of feedback on the steering wheel, low stability at high speed and significant body roll in corners, which is frightening when driving with a full load. The Volkswagen Polo is more tolerant of loading and overall gives the impression of a safer and more enjoyable car to drive.

Ergonomics and comfort

Compared to the hatchback, the interior design of the three-volume Polo bears obvious traces of simplification and reduction in cost. This had almost no effect on the ergonomics of the driver's seat, but from an aesthetic point of view, the sedan has lost a lot: plastic everywhere is hard, like wood, other finishing materials are simple and drab, but nothing creaks while driving. The driver's seat has a wide range of adjustments, but finding a comfortable fit is hampered by the overly convex profile of the backrest and stepwise adjustment of its angle. The back seat is very spacious by class standards: there is a pleasant amount of space in the legs, but there is practically no space above the head. It’s not very pleasant for three of us to sit on the second row, but it’s possible. The noise level in the cabin is moderate, the acoustic palette is dominated by the sound of the engine, but thanks to the sufficient number of gears in the box, you don’t have to listen to its annoying howl very often.

The Chevrolet Aveo engine also sounds loud, and you hear its high-speed howl more often than in the Polo, since the gearbox has four, not six, gears. The Aveo's anti-gravel protection is also worse: on a country road, small pebbles continually drum along the bottom and wheel arches.

The interior of Aveo is decorated simply, but quite elegantly and cheerfully. The driver's seat has a better profile than its rival, but less developed lateral support, which is perceived as a significant drawback when there is noticeable roll in corners. The rear seat is noticeably tighter in the legs than in the Polo (affected by the shorter wheelbase), and there is just as little headroom. A third passenger can be seated here only if absolutely necessary, since those sitting on the edges will then have to sit half-turned.

The standard audio systems of both cars sound rather mediocre; they are equipped with not the most sensitive radio tuners, but they read MP3 regularly. Volkswagen Polo reproduces low frequencies better, but worse mids and highs, making the sound seem muffled; Chevrolet Aveo, on the contrary, produces relatively good highs and mids, but weak booming lows. Both will dissatisfy even a novice music lover, but they are quite suitable for listening to the radio.

Practicality

Both cars have substantial luggage compartments, capable of holding much more than you'd expect from a compact car. If the cargo is not heavy, but large, then both Polo and Aveo allow you to increase the trunk capacity by folding the rear seats. The difference between the rivals is that the Aveo only folds the backrest, revealing a narrow and uneven opening, while the Polo can fold both the backrest and the cushion, and the opening is larger and smoother.

Under the floor of both trunks there is enough space for a full-size spare tire and a small tool kit.

In my opinion...