What is the crash test rating for the 2008 Chevy Aveo?
The 2008 Chevy Aveo’s crash-test results show a mixed safety picture for a subcompact car of its era. The short answer is that NHTSA assigned an overall 3-star rating, while IIHS data for that model year isn’t publicly published in the standard ratings. Here is a fuller look at what the testing agencies reported and what it means for buyers and owners.
Crash-test ratings overview
Two major U.S. safety organizations assess vehicle crashworthiness using different rating systems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) uses a five-star scale for frontal, side, and rollover tests, which combine into an overall score. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) uses Good/Acceptable/Marginal/Poor designations across several crash tests or views specific to model years. Below, we summarize what each body has to say about the 2008 Aveo.
NHTSA crash-test results
The following outlines the basic NHTSA results for the 2008 Aveo, as reported in the agency’s five-star framework for frontal, side, and rollover protection. Note that the overall rating aggregates multiple subtests and can vary by trim and test date within the model year.
- Overall rating: 3 stars
- Frontal crash rating: 3 stars
- Side crash rating: 4 stars
- Rollover risk rating: 3 stars
The NHTSA results suggest the Aveo performed at an average level for its class in frontal protection, offered comparatively stronger side-impact protection, and carried a moderate rollover risk by the standards of that period.
IIHS crash-test results
IIHS uses separate criteria and publishes ratings across front, side, and other crash tests, but for the 2008 Aveo, published results in the standard rating database are not readily available for that model year. In practice, this means IIHS’s publicly accessible ratings may be missing or listed as not rated for the 2008 Aveo in their traditional matrices.
- Front offset and overall frontal ratings: Not available for 2008 Aveo in IIHS’s standard published data
- Side-impact ratings: Not available for 2008 Aveo in IIHS’s standard published data
- Other IIHS tests (e.g., small overlap): Not published for this model year
If IIHS did test the 2008 Aveo, the results would appear in their database with the year and trim-specific details. Prospective buyers should verify directly on IIHS’s site or through their published test summaries for the exact figures.
What this means for buyers
Crash-test ratings are one component of overall vehicle safety. For the 2008 Aveo, the available data from NHTSA points to average performance for its time, with better protection in side impacts than in frontal scenarios and a modest rollover risk. When evaluating a used Aveo, consider not only the crash-test history but also the vehicle’s maintenance status, airbag and restraint system functionality, seat and headrest condition, and any recalls or safety campaigns that may affect its current protection performance.
Safety context and how ratings can change over time
Safety ratings reflect technology and standards of their era. Improvements in higher-binned models—such as reinforced side-impact structures, curtain airbags, and more advanced restraint systems—can significantly shift a car’s safety profile over time. If you are researching a 2008 Aveo today, verify that the specific vehicle has all safety systems in working order and review any recall history, as these factors influence real-world safety even when formal crash-test numbers exist.
Summary
In summary, the 2008 Chevy Aveo shows a 3-star overall rating in NHTSA’s crash tests, with relatively stronger side-impact performance and a moderate rollover risk. IIHS data for that exact model year is not readily published in their standard ratings. For the most precise, model-year-specific results, consult NHTSA’s Safercar.gov entry for the 2008 Aveo and IIHS’s database, and verify the condition and safety features of any used vehicle you are considering. If you’d like, I can pull the latest official figures and provide exact subtest counts and dates.
