Carguide Magazine by Rob Beintema - We automotive journalists naturally have a tremendous amount of pull in the industry.  Why, not long ago, I had a hankering for something sporty, hmmm, maybe a orvette.  So I made my desires known to General Motors of Canada and in no time at all I was at the wheel of my new test cr - a 2009 Chevy Aveo5.

“Ha,” Brenda laughed”.  “At least it’s yellow.”  Brenda is the keeper of the keys at GM and, therefore, the most important person in the corporation.  Looking over the little econobox, I wasn’t too sure she held me in the same high regard.

But, then again, I started rationalizing, I had asked for one of the most important cars in the Chevrolet lineup.  And that was probably exactly what she had given me.

Automotive companies subscribe to a belief in the “halo car”, usually a sportscar like the Corvette or some other prestigious piece of high-priced mechanical fluff designed to draw customers into the dealers.  Of course, in a changing market, the shine of stardom might shift to a different ideal, like maybe that of the upcoming Volt plug-in hybrid.

But I wonder if maybe the “halo cars” of these more sober and realistic times are the actually affordable models, like this very Chevy Aveo and its Pontiac Wave sibling.  You could probably make a case for their status if you measure importance by sales numbers.

The Chevy Aveo nameplate is one of the dozen or so brand names used globablly to market the same car - the Daewoo Kalos, a Euro-designed and Asian-built subcompact from a Korean plant absorbed by GM and Suzuki after Daewoo’s downfall.

The Aveo lineup - a sedan and the Aveo5 hatchback wagon reviewed here - was revised for 2009.  Past criticisms were mainly about the motor which was rated as uncompetitive in power and fuel efficiency.

The 1.6L 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder Ecotec engine has been enhanced with variable valve timing and is now rated at 106 hp @ 6400 rpm and 105 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3800 rpm.  Not exactly a huge change in power and attitude - up 3 hp and actually down 2 lb.-ft. of torque, both ratings achieved at a higher rpm than the previous model.  But the ratings do promise an up to ten per cent improvement in fuel economy, now rated at 7.9/5.7/6.9L/100km (city/hwy/comb) for the base manual five-speed model and 8.2/5.8/7.1L/100km (city/hwy/comb) with the optional Aisin four-speed automatic transmission.

GM designers also decided to add a little pizzazz to the packaging, especially in the Aveo5 model which was restyled inside and out.  New exterior styling for 2009 includes a revamped front-end design with signature upper and lower grilles in the Malibu style, spearated by Chevrolet’s classic bowtie emblem and flanked by sweeping headlamps.

The inside was, frankly, better than I expected.  The small-but-tall design allows for easy access, plenty of head room, enough elbow room for four, five in a pinch.  And the Aveo5’s hatchback cargo versatility offers up to 1,190 litres (42 cubic feet) of cargo space with the rear seats folded down.

There was a nice feel of unexpected quality to the interior of my tester.  It was nicely buttoned and ergonomic in layout with a metal-banded steering wheel and complimentary metallic accents on the shift surround, dash and door panels.

Conveniene items include the standard folding driver’s armrest, dual visor vanity mirrors, a sunglass holder on the driver side headliner, door and seatback storage pockets, and hooks on the headrest posts for packpacks or shopping bags.

We’ve mentioned a few of the changes to Aveo, available in a simple two model sedan or hatchback selection, in base LS or upscale LT trim levels, but other new or revised features for 2009 include:

• OnStar standard on LT models
• XM Satellite Radio available
• New 15-inch aluminum alloy five-spoke wheels
• Three new exterior colours: midnight black, blue moon and tahiti green
• Available leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
• Auxiliary input jack included on all radios
• GM oil life monitoring system
• More powerful 95-amp alternator
• Variable intermittent windshield wipers
• Enhanced ergonomic controls and features

There are two ways of approaching the purchase of an Aveo.  Owners prepared to sacrifice for comfort can get the real deal, the base LS with the five-speed manual, no air conditioning but with front and side air bags, tilt steering, AM/FM stereo and a few other goodies, normally starting at $13,770 but currently offered at a bargain basement price of $9,995.

If you really have to have the A/C or an automatic transmission, you can pick and choose your options or move up to the LT model with a full slate of conveniences, listed at $16,370 but also now on sale for a reduced $13,999.  And in these troubled times, there might even be a little more wiggle room on price or packaging at the dealers.  Troubled times can also be times of opportunity.

Yes, Chevrolet will be bringing out their all-new and undoubtedly more stylish subcompact, the Chevy Spark, by 2010 but do you really think it will start at under $10,000 like the Aveo?

And yes, there are more fuel-efficient cars on the market.  But at half the cost of a Prius, with improved fuel economy, revitalized inside and out and with all the small car utility needed as a second car or downtown commuter, the 2009 Chevy Aveo is an affordable low-tech alternative for consumers who are being careful with their money.

And, hey, who isn’t being careful with their money these days?