Surging problem?

My girlfriend has a 04 4 door Aveo LT... and in the lower gears, (1 and 2) you can feel a slight "surging" around 4,200-4,500 RPM's. Kind of like you would with a SOHC VTEC on Honda, or like a VVTi on Toyota's. In higher gearing, (3rd and 4th), it is not as noticeable, but you can still tell it is happening

Is this a normal thing with Aveo's? Does it have a variable valve timing system on the motor like on other imports? Or should we start thinking about a decent tune up.

There are alot of problems with the car right now... To my trained ears, it sounds like it needs new strut bearings up front, possibly a balljoint or a tie rod, and a set of brakes.

But anyways, any idea on the surging issue at hand?

And also, I am assuming that this car came with a 3yr./36,000 mile warranty from Chevrolet... so maybe we can handle this at the dealership?

Aveos do not have VVT engines.  The powertrain warranty is 60,000 miles.