A BRAND name can have a lasting impact on potential customers - for good or ill.

Brands like Skoda have shrugged off negative imagery with high-quality, competitively-priced cars. Chevrolet, despite former links with Daewoo, is a name that conjures up images of supercars like the Corvette and Camaro in the UK and seems to be working.

The second generation of the Aveo is an excellent example of how the brand is moving on and joins the stable that offers the Spark, Cruze, Captiva and Orlando.

The first generation Aveo was a safe, but uninspiring motor, but the latest version offers plenty in terms of styling, efficient power units and economy.

Priced from £9,995, it is available in three trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ and all offer high levels of equipment and a five-year warranty for peace of mind.

The firm says the five-door hatch compelling choice for young and young-at-heart, style-conscious drivers but is also practical enough for a small family.

It definitely has a more dynamic look with motorcycle-inspired headlamps housed in dual tubes  with black bezels and chrome rings.

The  concealed rear door handles sit in the upper section of the door, creating a coupé-like appearance.

The Aveo I tried also featured attractive alloy wheels and the increasingly familiar Chevrolet 'bow' badge on a large twin grille.

In a nod to its supercar cousin, Cheverolet says the the dual-cockpit derives from the Corvette with a wraparound instrument panel that flows into the doors.

The instrument cluster adds to the motorcycle theme by incorporating a round speedometer and a digital readout with ice-blue ambient backlighting.

Smartly designed stowage features include two gloveboxes - one with an integrated USB outlet - plus various compartments and door pockets, as well as three cupholders. 

A second, large glovebox features a lid that is damped for quiet and smooth operation. Large pockets on both sides of upper console provide easy-to-reach storage areas for mobile phones, CDs and other items.

There is generous space throughout the cabin with under-seat pull-out drawer and a storage compartment beneath the boot floor.

The luggage capacity is good with 290 litres with the 60/40 rear seats up, and 653 litres with them folded.

Standard kit is impressive, even on the base model, but the range-topper LTZ seems to offer the lot, while still not threatening to break the bank.

On top of the usual electric aids, sound system and air conditioning, it adds goodies such as parking sensors, cruise control, MP3 and Bluetooth phone connectivity.

With a 1.4-litre petrol engine it is no hot hatch but has decent accleration and pull throughout the gears, but the claimed combined mpg of around 53mpg seemed pretty ambitious.

It rides and handles pretty well, feeling accomplished on corners while occupants can enjoy a relaxed journey without a crashy ride.

The petrol engine range also includes 1.2-litre units rated at 86ps plus a 1.3 VCDi diesel engine. The latter is the first VCDi diesel to appear in a small Chevrolet in Europe and claims to return a whopping 78mpg.

A competitive price, good economy, low emissions and insurance group means the Aveo will be cheap to run. It is also easy on the eye. Food for thought with high fuel prices.