2004 Daewoo Kalos SX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Welptons of Hessle, my local Daewoo dealer have fixed the rear number plate by drilling through into the bodywork of the tailgate instead of using the pre-prepared fixing mounts.

The car is very comfortable.

The car has a very good seating position, both in the front and rear and the equipment on the SX model is very good. Air conditioning, electric front and rear windows and remote locking are all new to me and very useful as is the reversing aid.

I part exchanged my previous 18 month old manual transmission Kalos for an automatic model for health reasons. I was extremely pleased with my last car as I was with the present model until the local dealer, Welptons of Hessle, drilled unnecessary holes into the tailgate to fix the rear number plate.

I find the front corner pillars between the windscreen and side windows create quite a large blindspot.

The automatic transmission model is quite uneconomical - only about 30 miles per gallon.

I have a 2004 Chevy Aveo 5-door, the US version of this car, and I have to agree, it is one of the best cars I have ever owned. It is small, very responsive and very well balanced. There is very little difference in the passenger interior room between the Aveo and our other car, a Chevy Cavalier. The 1.6, 16-valve engine (103hp) with a 4 speed automatic transmission gives me about 23mpg. Not the greatest, but more than acceptable, especially when in-town driving is combined with 75mph jaunts down the interstate. The trunk room is adequate with the back seat up and fantastic with it folded down.

I bought the Canadian Pontiac Wave 5 which is the same as a Daewoo Kalos, Suzuki Swift+ and the Chevrolet Aveo. My Wave is the Automatic transmission version and I disagree, it is very economical. I have put 12,000 Km on my car and find it handles great, is very comfortable. I am getting 41 MPG on the highway and about 36 in the city. This is the best car I have owned over the 35 years of driving and I will be getting another when the lease is up.

My Aveo gets nowhere near that mileage... You really must short-shift, and drive 80 on the freeway. I know I drive stupid quickly (I go from Ottawa to Toronto on a weekly basis, and the trips are nicer when they end quickly). My mileage is about 20-25 mpg. I do drive 140-150 on the highway, so obviously that impacts it. Realistic mileage should be around 35 mpg. I also hate the small size of the gas tank, but that's only because I travel long distances.