BMW 128i
Inspired by its popular 2002 model of decades past, BMW introduced its 1 Series coupe this year that's available in two flavors, 128i and 135i.

The German automaker substituted performance for fuel economy in these little cars, which pack quite a punch.

The tested 128i is equipped with a 3.0-l. inline six-cylinder engine that transfers 230 horses to the rear wheels via an automatic Steptronic transmission (a $1,275 option) and produces 200 lb.-ft. of torque.  This setup achieves 19 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway, not the best for a vehicle that only weighs 3,329 pounds.

For drivers who seek more power, the 135i is equipped with a twin-turbo charger that produces 300 HP and 300 lb.-ft. of torque.  This version can reach 0-62 MPH in 5.3 seconds, making it quite a performer.

The 1 Series coupe's suspension gives it great handling.  It features an aluminum double-pivot front suspension with an antiroll bar and a five-link independent suspension in the rear made of lightweight steel.  The setup is designed for stiffness and light weight. BMW's Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) can work simultaneously for tricky driving conditions, such as in snow.

The interior is what you would expect from a BMW with tight tolerences and a sleek, sporty style.  The red Boston leather seats may not be appealing to some, but they are comfortable and hold the driver in place with excellent lumbar support.

With options that included a cold weather package, a sport package with 17-inch wheels, and a premium package that includes walnut wood trim, the 128i rolls in at $38,325, a lot of money for a little car.

Chevrolet Aveo5 LT
Unlike the 128i, Chevy's Aveo is centered on fuel economy at a reasonable price and could be interpreted as straight vanilla.  GM officials bill the vehicle as a smart choice for consumers seeking a fuel-efficient car, appealing to the more environmentally conscious motorist who may not want a hybrid.

The estimated fuel economy of the tested 2,546-pound Aveo5 LT, equipped with a manual transmission, is 27 MPG city and 34 MPG highway.  The manual achieves two more miles per gallon than the automatic in city driving.

The 2009 Aveo5 LT is powered by an inline four-cylinder 1.6-l. engine called the Gen 3 Ecotec.  The engine puts out 106 HP and 107 lb.-ft. of torque.  The lack of power combined with the small stature of the car made for an uneasy highway commute, especially around tractor-trailers.

The engine has several environmentally friendly features, GM officials say.  For example, the timing belt of the engine is designed to last 100,000 miles and has a replaceable cartridge-type oil filter, rather than the usual spin-on metal oil filter.

It is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, standard on all models.  An Aisin four-speed automatic transmission is an option.

The five-door hatchback was surprisingly spacious on the inside and was well equipped with A/C, XM satellite radio, and "leatherette" seating, not quite the real thing.

On the outside, GM used a deep grill design that closely resembles that of Audi and Volkswagen in an attempt to convey a premium look.  It is equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, new for the model year.

The Aveo5 is sold around the world in more than 120 countries under several nameplates and is the top-selling car produced by GM Daewoo in South Korea.  In the United States, the Chevrolet Aveo5 LT sells for less than $14,000, making it competitive with the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, and Nissan Versa.