Chevrolet

I stopped by the local Chevy dealer after work today to see what GM has to offer big fat Americans who want cheap little cars.  The short answer: Not Much

Aveo
This was actually the best of the three as far as getting into and out of the vehicle.  Despite it's small size, I was able to just step into the car and sit down with no contortions or dislocation of any limbs.  Unfortunately, despite having loads of room for my head, gut and ass, it didn't have enough room for my right leg.  With the seat as far back as it would go, my right knee was still pressed uncomfortably into the dash board.  I rather like my right leg, so I have to disqualify the Aveo from further competition.

It's just as well - they're discontinuing the model after this year and replacing it with the Sonic.  The dealership hadn't yet received one yet, so I was unable to test the Aveo's successor.


HHR
Bad news for those of you who like retroish mini truck/wagons - the HHR has been discontinued as well.  They still had one on the lot, so I climbed in just to satiate the completionist in me.  It was not particularly easy to get into, nor was it particularly comfortable to be in.  The seat was narrow, hard and flat.  With the door closed, it was pretty tight.  On the off chance you find one of these used somewhere down the line, I cannot recommend it.

Cruze
I actually wanted to like the Cruze.  It's the closest to a real grown-up's car out of the three Chevy options.  It looks nice inside and out - though the dashboard does remind me somewhat of a boombox that's trying too hard.  However, if looks were a major consideration, I'd have to disregard half the cars on my list.  What really matters is how well it can accommodate a man as large as myself.

This may or may not be the dashboard of a Chevy Cruze

Once in the seat with the (telescoping, nice touch) steering wheel adjusted, it's quite comfortable.  The seats themselves feel good - firm but not hard, and plenty wide.  There was enough head room, and unlike the Aveo, enough room for both of my legs.  The problem was getting into that comfortable position.

For reasons I cannot fathom, Chevy decided to make the actual door openings unbelievably tiny.  There is a good four inches worth of vertical lip on the threshold - if you've ever had to climb into a 90s jeep cherokee, it's like that.  In addition, while the roof itself is high enough for my noggin, there is another lip on the door frame that comes down farther than it has any right to.  I had to tuck my head forcefully into my chest just to get past this design flaw.  It was a complicated and uncomfortable process to get in and out in the showroom with the door fully open - I don't think I could manage it at all in a tight parking space with another car two feet away.  This is not a legitimate option.



Next I think I'll see what Toyota has to offer.