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COULD YOU LOVE A LACETTI?

Models Covered: 5dr hatch, 4dr saloon, 5dr estate: [1.4 SE, 1.6 SX, 1.8 CDX, 1.8 Sport]

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

The Lacetti was the first new car produced by Daewoo under the stewardship of General Motors but it arrived too late to save the ailing Korean marque. Don’t let that put you off, though. GM rebadged the Lacetti as a Chevrolet and, in so doing, gave it a second chance at success. With neat, well-resolved styling and a simple value proposition, the Lacetti has quietly done very well. Picking up a low mileage used example is a great way to land a modern hatch for a lot less than you may have expected.

A lot was riding on the Lacetti when Daewoo started the planning process. The company had just emerged from a troublesome period and the benefits of General Motors’ investment, know-how and marketing muscle were starting to bear fruit. Lacking a credible contender for some time, it was vitally important for Daewoo to establish a meaningful presence in the family hatch sector and the Lacetti was earmarked as the model to do it. By the time the car hit the showrooms in March 2004, however, Daewoo’s problems were deemed unrecoverable and by October of the same year, it had been announced that the Daewoo products would be rebadged Chevrolet from the start of 2005. So it was that the Lacetti entered into a new existence less than a year after it was originally launched. As well as the hatch versions, GM decided that the Nubira saloon would also wear a ‘Lacetti’ badge, creating a wider Chevrolet Lacetti range. A Sportwagon estate version was also introduced and the line-up was further supplemented by the arrival of a 1.8-litre petrol engine that powered the good-looking Lacetti Sport.

Styled by Italdesign, the Lacetti certainly doesn’t smack of something bargain basement. Daewoo forged quite a relationship with this design house, having been extremely happy with the styling work performed on the Matiz citycar and the Kalos supermini – cars which also took on Chevrolet badging. The Lacetti’s shape is well resolved; a purposeful wedge with strong shoulders and a very pert rump. The wheel at each corner look not only gives a dynamic stance but also maximises internal space. Break out the tape measure and you’ll find that the Lacetti’s wheelbase is a full 2600mm long, longer than cars like the Alfa 156 and the Audi A3. Given that most models in the Mondeo class campaign with a wheelbase of around 2,670mm, you’ll appreciate that the Lacetti offers a surprising amount of room for a ‘compact’ car. With 932mm of rear legroom and 275 litres of boot volume, you’ll not feel claustrophobic in the back of a Lacetti. Fold the rear bench down, keep a keen eye open for animal welfare types and you’ll be able to swing a generously sized cat in the 1,045 litres of fresh air at your disposal. The rear light clusters are an interesting design feature, bisected as they are by the shutline of the hatchback, and the stub tail and roofline of the car look very much like a Vauxhall Astra -which may be something less than a coincidence. The almond-shaped clear glass headlamps and well-defined wheel arches are signature post millennial design features and the Lacetti looks the part even in traditionally frumpy five-door guise. A three-door model was never offered which is something of a shame, as this would have been quite a looker.

As you can imagine, Daewoo Lacettis are pretty thin on the ground but you will be able to locate them priced from around £5,500 on 04 and 54 plates. The more common Chevrolet-badged cars are available from around £5,700 and that will get you a 54-plate 1.4 SE five-door hatch. The SX is £200-£300 more and the estates kick-off around £7,000. If you fancy the added urge of the 1.8-litre engine, the £6,900 is the going rate for the first CDX saloons with an automatic gearbox commanding another £300. The range topping 1.8 Sport is available for £7,300 or its £11,797 list price on a 54-plate. Insurance is eminently reasonable, ranging between groups 5 for the 1.4s and group 9 for the 1.8s. Those looking for bigger bargains may well prefer to observe the ‘buy at two years old and sell at four’ in order to get the best deals.

To date no significant faults have been noticed with the Lacetti. In order to get the best from the warranty package, check to ensure that servicing has been carried out at the specified intervals. Good showings in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey bode well for used buyers.

(approx based on a Lacetti 1.6 SX) Parts are a little pricier than from mainstream manufacturers but given that Chevrolet is part of General Motors, you should expect to see affordable spares prices. A clutch assembly will be around £70 and an air filter should be close to £8. Brake pads are around £17 a front set with a cam belt relieving you of £30.

Chevrolet, by and large, did their homework well. The company claimed that almost two-thirds of all petrol engines in this segment, for example, have a capacity of between 1.4 and 1.8 litres, so the three power units available for the Lacetti would seem to fit this bill very well. There are, however, lies, damned lies and statistics. The 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8-litre engines with which Chevrolet went to battle in this segment had an Achilles heel. They all drink from the green pump. Those statistics quoted take into account diesel cars too, which represent a growing proportion of UK new car registrations and without a diesel to campaign with, the Lacetti found itself at a major competitive disadvantage. The engines that are available are all tried and tested twin overhead camshaft powerplants driven by a toothed belt with four-valve technology. The entry-level power train in the Lacetti 1.4 Hatch generates 92bhp and will accelerate the car through 60mph in 11.3 sec and on to a top speed of 107 mph. Overall fuel consumption is a very creditable 39.2 mpg. Next up is the 109bhp 1.6-litre unit, offered with all three bodystyles. This manages a top end of 116.2 mph and it dispatches the benchmark sprint in a sprightly 10.4 sec. With an even better fuel economy figure than the 1.4 (39.7mpg combined), the Lacetti 1.6 has a range of over 520 miles from the 13 gallon tank. The 122bhp 1.8-litre engine used in the saloon and in the Sport hatch provides some entertainment and can notch off the dash to 60mph in 9.3 seconds and will only run out of puff at a heady 121mph. Despite these eyebrow raising performance statistics, its average fuel consumption is just 37.6 mpg. As an alternative to the manual five-speed transmission, an electronically-controlled adaptive four-speed automatic transmission is available on the 1.6-litre Hatch and the 1.8-litre Saloon.

If you want a new car feel and a recent number plate, the Lacetti is one of the most painless ways of getting one at distinctly used pricing. We’d opt for a 1.6-litre model, although it has to be said that it may pay to hold off for a while to net the best bargains. The 1.8-litre Sport is another worthwhile choice for those looking for a hot-hatch styling without the prohibitive insurance costs.

LONG SERVICE MEDAL
Our long term Chevrolet Lacetti has been notching up the miles and the miles with us and it’s attracted rather a following around the office…

Six months in a Chevrolet Lacetti. It might not be a dream assignment but it’s been an interesting one. Expectations obviously have to be managed a little when we’re talking about a full-sized, well equipped family hatchback for under £10,000 but once you’ve got your head around this, there’s plenty to enjoy about the Lacetti’s simple competence.

For a start, nothing major has gone wrong with the car and that’s a factor that’s never to be underestimated at the budget end of the market where the Lacetti operates. We’ve managed close to 10,000 miles of faultless reliability over the twenty seven weeks we’ve been running it. That’s a substantial distance that goes some way towards dispelling the preconceptions that surround low cost vehicles. Buyers with £10,000 in their back pockets, have vast swathes of the used car market at their mercy with all manner of desirable possibilities leaping at them from the small ads but are you really better off with a pre-owned model than a brand new Lacetti packing a full warranty? It’s largely a matter of taste with a little bit of luck thrown in but there’s going to be some uncertainty attached to any used car purchase and our experience with the Chevrolet, although limited in the grand scheme of things, has been reassuring. The Lacetti isn’t the last or the first word in chic, modernist car design but it’s not an ugly looking thing and is never going to polarise opinion in the way that some of today’s trendier hatchbacks do. Leave it in any suburban supermarket car park and the majority of people won’t notice it and those that do will have very little opinion one way of the other. Ordinary? Boring? That’s about as extreme an opinion as anybody’s likely to have on Chevrolet’s offering, so if you like your car to do the A to B thing without making any kind of fashion statement or revealing anything much about the person who’s driving it, the Lacetti fits the bill.

"With the Lacetti, what you see is what you get"

It’s more of the same in the interior. The layout is simple and reasonably functional, many of the plastics feel on the cheap side and the cloth covering for the seating isn’t something you’ll be running your fingers over for the sheer pleasure of it. You can see where the money that goes into creating the interior ambiance of plusher hatchbacks hasn’t been spent here but that won’t matter to the Lacetti buyer. The car is comfortable enough to sit in and the basic equipment that you wouldn’t want to do without is included as standard. Rear seat accommodation is quite generous provided the front seats aren’t right back on the extent of their travel and there’s a surprisingly big boot that could easily take the family’s luggage on a week away. Storage is never in short supply though, with no fewer that 25 different places to put your odds and ends dotted around the cabin. Special mention goes to the water bottle holder next to the handbrake (that’s ideal for those 1.0-litre bottles often sold at filling stations) and the box under the armrest that takes a good handful of CDs. The driving position in the Lacetti is quite polished. There’s only rake adjustment for the steering column in the 1.4-litre model we’ve been testing but that hasn’t hampered a number of differently proportioned drivers in getting comfortable. The gearlever is well located as well and its action around the gate is positive if slightly ‘long throw’. The suspension is well judged, giving reasonable composure at the kind of cornering speeds that most owners will attempt and good ride quality even over difficult surfaces. The weighty steering helps make the Lacetti a relaxing motorway car without sacrificing convenience when parking or turning at lower speeds but the wheel could be attached to an oil tanker’s rudder for all the feedback you get from it. The Lacetti isn’t a car that responds well to being driven quickly but if driving quickly isn’t your thing, it’s not half bad. You’re never going to get savage performance from a 1.4-litre engine in a car this size but the Lacetti’s powerplant pulls well enough. It’s been found out on a few occasions, one in particular when a full load of passengers and luggage meant that 1st gear and full throttle had to be engaged to crest a particularly steep hill, but otherwise complaints have been rare. Refinement is particularly good with the measures taken to soundproof the cabin really paying dividends on longer trips. We’ve averaged around 35mpg on the test and that’s more than respectable. The Chevrolet Lacetti was never a car destined to set the motoring world alight with its technology or design innovation. It’s a fairly standard and unremarkable hatch with a low price. Buyers seeking a decently sized family car with inoffensive styling that isn’t going to cost the earth to run will like it and our experience with the car has been preferable in many ways to the time we’ve had with more advanced products with ill-judged features that try to be too clever by half. With the Lacetti, what you see is what you get. Buyers need only decide if what they see is what they want.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4SE 5-door PRICE: £9,995 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 171g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph – 11.6s / Max Speed – 108mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 30.8mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 1925/1452/1180mm

HOT OR NOT?
Chevrolet’s Lacetti Sport offers a good looking & practical alternative to the usual crowd of sporty hatches. Andy Enright reports

Right from the outset, Chevrolet are at pains to stress that this Lacetti Sport most certainly isn’t a ‘hot hatch’, so don’t bother comparing it to obvious examples of the breed. It doesn’t really campaign in the less powerful ‘warm hatch’ class either, populated mainly by younger unattached drivers unable to afford the insurance on powerful sporting hatchbacks. This Lacetti is a five-door for a start, with room for the whole family, and has the looks – if not the power – to carve its own, more practical niche in the shopping rocket market.

So while we wave goodbye at this point to those who would really rather ‘red mist it’ in a shopping rocket, let’s look at what this particular Chevrolet actually offers. Well, it looks good, which always helps. The Sport has a purposeful stance with lowered suspension and the 15-inch alloy wheels fill the wheelarches nicely. The front spoiler has integrated foglamps and there’s also a rear spoiler that further differentiates this model. The cabin is a good deal more upmarket than you may be expecting at this price point with full leather seat trim finished in smart charcoal grey, while a leather-covered steering wheel and gear knob, plus metallic-effect inserts on the doors and facia aim to add to the car’s sporty appeal. Chevrolet claim the Lacetti Sport will appeal ‘to both young singles and families’. It’s certainly not shy of standard equipment. Many cars several thousand pounds dearer don’t feature half the kit the Lacetti packs for around £12,495. As well as anti lock brakes and front and side airbags there’s air conditioning, a Blaupunkt CD stereo, audio controls on the steering wheel, heated door mirrors, remote central locking and electric windows all round. Hide the Chevrolet badge on the front and most would reckon this to be the thick end of £16,000 worth of car.

"Hide the Chevrolet badge on the front and most would reckon this to be the thick end of £16,000 worth of car"

There are no real engine mods in evidence but the Sport features the marque’s most powerful petrol engine, a 121bhp 1.8-litre unit. This offers performance that is crisp rather than searing, the car breaking 60mph from a standing start in 9.8 seconds and registering a top speed of 121mph. The engine thrives on revs, with maximum power registering when the rev counter is nudging 6,000rpm but it’s not overly harsh on the ear. Drive the car a little more sensibly and you’ll easily match Chevrolet’s combined fuel economy figure of 38.1mpg. The ride and handling have been optimised for European driving conditions, Chevrolet doing most of their chassis tuning at MIRA near Nuneaton. Twin front and side airbags, four-channel anti lock braking and five three-point seat belts are offered as standard on every model, the front belts featuring load limiters. Styled by Italdesign, the Lacetti certainly doesn’t smack of something bargain basement. Chevrolet have forged quite a relationship with this design house, having been extremely happy with the styling work performed on the Matiz citycar and the Kalos supermini. This model’s shape is certainly well resolved; a purposeful wedge with strong shoulders and a very pert rump. The wheel at each corner look not only gives a dynamic stance but also maximises internal space. Break out the tape measure and you’ll find that the Lacetti’s wheelbase is a full 2600mm long, longer than cars like the Alfa 156 and the Audi A3. Given that most cars in the Mondeo class campaign with a wheelbase of around 2670mm, you’ll appreciate that this Chevrolet offers a surprising amount of room for a ‘compact’ car. With 932mm of rear legroom and 275 litres of boot volume, you’ll not feel claustrophobic in the back of a Lacetti. Fold the rear bench down, keep a keen eye open for animal welfare types and you’ll be able to swing a generously sized cat in the 1,045 litres of fresh air at your disposal. There’s also the option of an estate model should you need extra carrying capacity. The rear light clusters are an interesting design feature, bisected as they are by the shutline of the hatchback, and the stub tail and roofline of the car look very much like a Vauxhall Astra -which may be something less than a coincidence. The almond-shaped clear glass headlamps and well-defined wheel arches are signature post millennial design features and the Lacetti looks the part in five-door or Sport Wagon estate guise. A three-door Lacetti Sport would have been a real cracker. Although the Sport is without doubt the most enjoyable car in the Lacetti line up, it’s not clear if there will really be enough sporty-minded but sensibly-orientated family motorists queing up to buy it. It certainly offers very good value for money and is attractively styled. Moreover, give it a chance and you’ll find a very accomplished car with a whole host of standard features. Whether this is enough remains to be seen.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti 1.8 Sport 5-door PRICE: £12,695 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 9 CO2 EMISSIONS: 183g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph – 9.8s / Max Speed – 121mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 38.1mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 1925/1452/1180mm

WELCOME TO THE SPACE STATION
The Chevrolet Station Wagon offers estate drivers a lot more for their money. Andy Enright reports

Starting as it means to go on in the UK, Chevrolet has hit the ground running with a car set to shake up rivals in the compact estate segment. The Station Wagon is a small estate that isn’t, well, that small. It isn’t that expensive either, priced at £11,915 for the 1.6SX.

Once upon a time ‘styled in Korea’ meant a car whose looks could curdle milk but the Station Wagon is a different proposition. Credit for the estate conversion goes to the Chevrolet design centre in Bupyong and they’ve done a very effective job. We can all think of estate conversions that resembled saloons that looked as if they’d reversed into somebody’s conservatory but take a walk around the Station Wagon and you’ll be amazed at the cohesiveness of the design. Of course it helps that the existing lines of the Lacetti saloon with its rising hipline lend themselves well to an estate conversion but the stylists have attempted to give this estate a little personality of its own. The chromed grille takes a little getting used to if you’re accustomed to the front of four and five-door Lacetti models, while the rear lamps are stacked vertically, thus ensuring a decent wide hatch. The loading bay is generously proportioned, this most modern of estates subscribing to the old school ‘more is better’ philosophy when it comes to hauling ability. A recent package of changes aims to further strengthen the car’s value proposition. Buyers can now, for example, expect to find little touches like alloy wheels, preparation for trailer connections, rear seat heating ducts, a rear seat coathook and a space saver spare tyre.

"Some estate conversions have resembled saloons that looked as if they’d been reversed into somebody’s conservatory. Not so this one…"

There’s 400 litres of space available with the rear seats in place but a whopping 1,410 litres available should you drop them down. The rear bench features a 60/40 split for added versatility and there’s an auxiliary 12v power supply in the luggage bay. Plus there are no fewer than 25 individual storage spaces. There’s also generous headroom for the driver and front seat passenger and the legroom in the rear is among the best in class. The SX model is fitted with a 109bhp 1.6-litre petrol unit. This engine will get the car to a respectable 116mph and yet will also return a combined fuel economy figure of 34.5mpg. There’s also a 1.8-litre petrol version available only with an automatic gearbox. What you can’t have (yet) is diesel power and until Chevrolet get sorted out on this front, the lack of this could prove something of an Achilles heel in this section of the market. The suspension has been set up in tune with European requirements. Heavily disguised test ‘mules’ bashed the UK’s highways and byways for thousands of miles in order to optimise the damper, spring, bush and anti-roll bar settings as well as the steering feel. The UK set up is more suitable for high-speed motorway driving as well and body roll has been reduced when cornering. Denis Chick, Manager of Product Communications for GM UK, highlights the culture gap. "Korean drivers prefer a softer ride. We know that Europeans prefer a sportier feel with more precise steering and firmer suspension." The power steering system has, as a result, been thoroughly revised with a tougher torsion bar and a beefier pump tuned to give more feedback. Wafting through downtown Seoul may be one thing, but when you’re in the cut and thrust of a UK city, you need a bit of information coming back through the wheel and the seat of your pants. Piloting a soggy South-East Asian hovercraft around just doesn’t ring our collective bells. Therefore we get firmer damping to cut out bounce, stiffer springs and a bigger gauge anti-roll bar. Tyres were also an integral part of the equation and the Station Wagon’s tyres feature a stiffer sidewall to complement the sportier suspension. Chevrolet currently sells in over ninety countries worldwide, one reason why the marque builds one car every seven seconds. In fact, one car in every sixteen sold worldwide is a Chevrolet and over 175 million of them have been sold to date. This hasn’t stopped the brand from struggling somewhat in recent times but now, with a more sustainable long-term plan in place, the marque looks healthier than ever. Targeted products that are right for key markets have replaced their old ‘one size fits all’ philosophy. Hence the Station Wagon’s European look and feel. With a resurgence of interest in compact estate cars, the Station Wagon looks set to capitalise. Although the lack of a diesel engine will strike it off a few shortlists, it’s still a compelling proposition. Rivals that offer as much space for the same money aren’t likely to be too plentiful. Although it’s a resolutely modern offering, the Station Wagon falls back on some very traditional Chevrolet principles.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Station Wagon 1.6 SX PRICE: £11,915 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 6 CO2 EMISSIONS: 183g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph - 10.7s / Max Speed - 116mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 36.2mpg / (extra urban) 44.1mpg / (combined) 36.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Height mm 4562 / 1725 / 1459

ALL THE CAR YOU NEED?
You won’t need to hit the bottle to make Chevrolet’s flagship Lacetti Saloon look attractive. Andy Enright reports

Your mental image of the typical Chevrolet buyer may well be due for an overhaul. Surely it’s someone in one of those huge Yankee 4x4s, guzzling fuel and a bottle of Bud. Wrong. The ‘bow tie’ brand are committed to selling in Europe these days and are doing so with a range of compact Italian-styled family models like this 1.8-litre Lacetti Saloon that make a lot of sense.

The 1.8-litre CDX Lacetti saloon flagship we examine here retails at £12,715, which makes it look a better bet than products offered from other Far Eastern ‘value’ brands and a good deal easier on the eye. A recent equipment upgrade that includes metallic trim on the doors and dash, plus passenger seat lumbar support is welcome too. Sized between a Ford Focus saloon and a Mondeo, the 1.8-litre Lacetti also comes in hatchback form (with a sporty bodykit) and as an estate. With 120bhp on tap, the 1.8-litre Lacetti Saloon feels surprisingly zippy but you will have to work the throttle hard as the 16-valve engine thrives on revs. Manufactured in Australia by GM Holden, it’s the antithesis of the typical lazy Aussie lump. Its enthusiastic nature means that you’ll enjoy letting it off the leash, and 60mph can be reached in 9.3 seconds – faster than a 2.0-litre Audi A4. A top speed of over 120mph and a combined fuel economy figure of 37.7mpg are also very creditable. A four-speed automatic transmission is available as a £1,000 option. Built by ZF, it’s one of the new crop that allow drivers to replicate a manual sequential shift should they so desire. A ‘hold’ feature enables the driver to lock the car into gear when approaching a series of fun corners, whilst the sport button moves the upshift points nearer the redline. Mind you, the fuel consumption penalty of some 6.7mpg is quite a price to pay for this sort of fun.

"The CDX trim level entitles buyers to all manner of refinements that you’d never expect to find on a sub-£13,000 family car"

The CDX trim level entitles buyers to traction control, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, 16-inch alloy wheels and all manner of other refinements that you’d never expect to find on a sub-£13,000 family car. The steering wheel’s adjustable for reach, there are neat front fog lamps integrated into the grille and then there’s the leather trimmed steering wheel, chilled glovebox, twin front and side windows and so on. We could go on, but you probably get the picture. The Lacetti Saloon 1.8 CDX isn’t shy of kit. Nor is it shy when it comes to flaunting its chiselled looks. Chevrolet claim the Lacetti Saloon is ‘a synthesis of Pininfarina’s experience in creating dynamic yet elegant forms’. We’d call it a quietly good-looking family car. Some of the styling touches, especially around the rear three-quarter, are reminiscent of the current Vectra, although Chevrolet’s traditional grille and the big headlamps give it a distinctive look. Although development cars have been tested everywhere from Alice Springs to Arjeplog in Sweden, UK cars have been set up with suspension in tune with European requirements. Heavily disguised test ‘mules’ bashed the UK’s highways and byways for thousands of miles in order to optimise the damper, spring, bush and anti-roll bar settings as well as the steering feel. The UK set up is more suitable for high-speed motorway driving as well and body roll has been reduced when cornering. The power steering system has also been thoroughly revised for our market, with a tougher torsion bar and a beefier pump tuned to give more feedback. There’s also firmer damping to cut out bounce, stiffer springs and a bigger gauge anti-roll bar. Tyres were also an integral part of the equation and the Lacetti Saloon’s tyres feature a stiff sidewall to complement the sporty-ish suspension. At 4500mm long and 1725mm wide, the Lacetti Saloon is a fair bit larger than you might expect, although still someway shy of being truly Mondeo-sized. Chevrolet has been clever in the packaging department, though; the long 2600mm wheelbase improving all-round interior space and giving this model decent rear legroom. Shoulder width for three across the back is a bit tight due to the car’s inherent narrowness, the flipside of which is that the Lacetti Saloon is easy to thread through gaps that would have a Vectra driver slamming on the brakes. Chevrolet know that UK buyers tend to be quite cool about compact saloons and expect the five-door hatch to outshine this car in the sales charts. Putting aside our inherent distrust of anything with four doors that’s smaller than a Mondeo, the Lacetti Saloon 1.8 CDX looks a very accomplished performer. Ultimate handling and interior quality aren’t class-leading but at the money, you can forgive that. If what you really want is value, and you’re after a sub-£13,000 saloon, then this car needs to be on your list.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti Saloon 1.8 CDX PRICE: £12,715 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 9 CO2 EMISSIONS: 183g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph – 9.3s / Max Speed – 121mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 28.8 (extra urban) 45.6 (combined) 37.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Height mm 4500 / 1725 / 1445

PEAK PERFORMANCE
A Trip To The Staffordshire Peak District Told Us Plenty About Chevrolet’s Lacetti 1.6 SX. Steve Walker Reports…

A lengthy motorway journey followed by a close encounter with some twisty, undulating B-roads, it was a trip with all the ingredients to provide an accurate impression of any car’s true abilities. The Peak District was the destination and Chevrolet’s Lacetti 1.6 SX was the car.

The general consensus of opinion pre-trip was that the smartly styled Chevrolet would devour the motorway mileage with a flourish and barely a flicker of its fuel gauge. The Peak District’s serpentine back roads, it was thought, would present more of a test - putting the cat firmly amongst the pigeons. In the end, that’s just about how things panned out but there were more than a few surprises along the way. Like most cars of its ilk, the Chevrolet Lacetti is well equipped to soften the hard edges of long distance motorway travel. The interior is of much better quality than you might expect for a car costing just over £10,000 – and surprisingly well equipped. In the 1.6 SX model we tried, you get air conditioning, side airbags, electric windows all round and a leather covering for the steering wheel and gearknob. The result is a relaxed, comfortable quality ambience - a cocoon of tranquillity for the bothered executive and an ideal environment in which to undertake a trip of a few hundred miles or more. Meanwhile, the high quality sound system provides the entertainment and the optional satellite navigation system that was fitted to our test car deals a terminal blow to the tired old road atlas. Actually, we took the tired old road atlas anyway - past experiences have taught that a healthy mistrust of satellite navigation is often, well, healthy. Just 50 miles in and it was apparent that motorway cruising is a walk in the park for the Lacetti. Concerns that the car was prone to horrendous wind noise proved unfounded once we realised that one of the windows was very slightly open and the suspension was obliterating the carriageway expansion joints to impressive effect. Even with the manual gearstick occupying the 5th gear slot, a prod of the throttle rapidly puts on the 10mph you need to bypass a pair of overtaking HGVs. The torque emanating from the 1.6-litre 16v engine means accelerating back up to speed out of heavy traffic is a breeze and even if you drop down to speeds of 40mph, the Lacetti will still pick up easily.

"On our trip, the car averaged 40mpg. And it was driven hard……."

The roads around the village of Warslow in the Staffordshire Peak District could have been created expressly to upset the equilibrium of a modern family hatch. Winding across the landscape connecting clusters of small stone houses, the narrow tracks twist up inclines and plunge into shallow valleys. These roads would ask big questions of a well-balanced roadster - an observation conformed when a convoy of day-glow Vauxhall VX220s, complete with grinning drivers, blasted past in the other direction. The Chevrolet fared better than many people would imagine here. The suspension still soaks up the undulations and ruts to a great extent, which can be a little disconcerting, but when you ask it to brake in a hurry or turn sharply around a dry stone walled hairpin, it does so with reassuring agility. The gearbox isn’t slick enough for this kind of driving and finding the required ratio quickly can be difficult. Performance-wise, the 1.6-litre engine is a real pleasure to punt around. It’s smooth and quiet but when you stir it up there’s genuine bite to the acceleration. 0-60mph in 10.4 seconds is the official performance figure but powering out of a corner up a Peak District hillside, the flexibility of the powerplant makes it feel considerably quicker than that. The Lacetti’s handling on some taxing but enjoyable roads felt very secure, which is more than can be said for yours truly during a night at Warslow’s Greyhound Inn. The 17th century pub was brimming with character and hospitality but the landlord’s spirited rendition of the ghost story attached to the building did little to facilitate a good night’s sleep. Still, £35 a night for a well-appointed double room and breakfast seemed excellent value. The next morning it was a short drive through rolling hills bordered by streams and criss-crossed by the dry stone walls to a destination that would put the Lacetti’s high speed manoeuvrability firmly in perspective – Alton Towers. With names like Nemisis, Submission and (I can hardly bring myself to type it) Oblivion, the rides at this theme park lead you to suspect that you’re in for something mildly unpleasant but the reality made the Greyhound ghost story seem like an episode of The Tweenies. When you’ve had your sense of direction turned inside out by the dizzying Spinball Wizzer, been fired headfirst through the woods by Air and endured a 50ft vertical drop into a misty pit on Oblivion, the Lacetti’s cosseting interior was a joy to collapse into for the drive home. The trip proved that this Chevrolet can function not only as a family runabout but that it is also a more than capable long distance cruiser if need be. It’s also actually very capable in the twisty stuff for a car of its kind. The gearbox wasn’t conducive to quick, fluent changes but the engine was outstanding for powering up the Peak District’s many inclines, traction was near faultless and the chassis remained poised on some testing thoroughfares. Lacetti buyers will be pleased to know that their car can cut it cross-country but there’s no doubt that the motorways and A-roads are its preferred habitat. Effortless performance, well-crafted interiors and a quality ride all help here but the biggest draw of all for Chevrolet Lacetti customers may well be the fuel economy. On our trip, the car managed nearly 40mpg. That’s very impressive for a decently powered petrol family hatch being driven reasonably hard.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti 1.6 SX - Travel story PRICES: £10,595 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 7 CO2 EMISSIONS: 178g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 10.4s / Max Speed 116mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 1925/1452/1180mm

THE JOY OF SPECS
The entry-level 1.4-litre version of Chevrolet’s Lacetti undeniably offers a great deal for the money. Jonathan Crouch checks it out

Probably the most positive thing you can say about Chevrolet’s Lacetti is that should you choose to park one on your driveway, the neighbours will assume you’ve bought something much more expensive. Certainly more than the £9,995 your dealer will relieve you of for the 1.4-litre SE Five-Door version we’ve been driving here.

A recent package of changes aims to further strengthen the car’s value proposition. So despite the fact that this variant’s price has recently been reduced, it still now additionally comes with alloy wheels, an alarm and rear parking sensors. The Lacetti was the last of the products developed by the old Daewoo organisation and given that pen was being put to paper on this car when the balance sheet wasn’t looking to rosy, you might expect a few corners to have been cut, especially on this entry-level version. In fact, your first impressions are likely to be very positive. For a start, as already suggested, it looks right. This, you might expect, given that the lines come courtesy of Italian styling house Italdesign (also responsible for Chevrolet’s smaller Kalos supermini). They did this five-door Hatch version but not the saloon and Station Wagon models that also sit on this platform. These extra derivatives however, are not offered with the 94bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine we look at here. This powerplant is a modern 16-valve unit as you would expect and has a big job to do, given that for the time being, Chevrolet has no diesel option to offer budget-minded Family Hatchback buyers. This unit also sits in the top version of the Kalos and as in that installation, feels smooth and vibration-free. Puling power isn’t a major feature (the maximum torque figure of 131Nm at 4,400rpm means enthusiastic drivers will need to make full use of the 5-speed gearbox) but fuel consumption at 39.2mpg on the combined cycle is reasonable. You’ll be opting for the 1.6 or 1.8-litre versions if performance is a higher priority but, for the record, the 1.4-litre car accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 11.6 seconds on the way to 109mph.

"This entry-level 1.4-litre model probably makes the most sense in the Lacetti line-up. …"

Break out the tape measure and you’ll find that the Lacetti’s wheelbase is a full 2600mm long, longer than cars like the Alfa 156 and the Audi A3. Given that this car competes against Focus-sized Family Hatchbacks and that most cars in the next Mondeo-sized class up campaign with a wheelbase of around 2670mm, you’ll appreciate that this Chevrolet offers a surprising amount of room. With 932mm of rear legroom and 275 litres of boot volume, you’ll not feel claustrophobic in the back of a Lacetti. Fold the rear bench down, keep a keen eye open for animal welfare types and you’ll be able to swing a generously sized cat in the 1,045 litres of fresh air at your disposal. The rear light clusters are an interesting design feature, bisected as they are by the shutline of the hatchback, and the stub tail and roofline of the car look very much like a Vauxhall Astra -which may be something less than a coincidence. The almond-shaped clear glass headlamps and well-defined wheel arches are signature post millennial design features and the Lacetti looks the part even in traditionally frumpy five-door guise. A three-door model isn’t offered which is something of a shame, as this would be quite a looker. Just how much value the interior designers attached to passenger comfort is evidenced not only by the steps they took to maximise sound insulation, but also by their attention to detail. The divided rear seat bench can be folded down in a ratio of 40:60, and there are many trays and holders to keep things tidy: cup-holders in the front centre console, a pocket on the side of the front passenger seat, compartments in all four doors and a ticket clip in the driver's sun visor. Other practical features are the central locking system and tinted windows. Power steering, ABS, dual front airbags, power windows at the front, central door locking with keyless entry, electric front windows, a remote release for the boot, height-adjustable driver's seat and adjustable steering wheel rake are all standard. You’ll need to trade up to the £11,415 1.6SX version if you want air conditioning. On our French test route, we found that the ride and handling had been optimised for European driving conditions, Chevrolet having done most of their chassis tuning at MIRA near Nuneaton. Twin front and side airbags, four-channel anti lock braking and five three-point seat belts are offered as standard, the front belts featuring load limiters. The entry-level Lacetti probably makes the most sense. It was a good deal more appealing than we were expecting and with the right deal on the table, could make much more sense than many of the cars further up the Family Hatchback buyer’s usual shopping list.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4SE 5-door PRICE: £9,995 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 171g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph – 11.6s / Max Speed – 109mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 1925/1452/1180mm

THE BUSINESS
What Is It About Chevrolet’s Lacetti That Makes It Appeal So Strongly To Business People Who Have To Spend Their Lives On The Road? Jonathan Crouch Has Been Finding Out At The Wheel

Life as a rep isn’t so bad these days. The quality of the Little Chefs is better. There’s the Birmingham Toll Road to make cross-country commuting more bearable. And the standard of the kind of medium range motor the fleet manager’s likely to give you for the journey has changed beyond recognition.

Think back ten years – then ten years before that. Motorway marathons were things you psyched yourself up for with a stock of Mars bars and a few bottles of Red Bull. No longer. At the wheel of a car like our long term Chevrolet Lacetti 1.6, you’ve the kind of luxury normally reserved for the Chairman. Of course it helps that our long term car is a SX model equipped with all the bells and whistles that you might not bother with if you, rather than your company, were paying the ownership cheque. Having said that, even the most basic repmobile these days comes with things like air conditioning, front and side airbags and a decent stereo. To these things, our Lacetti test car added satellite navigation, leather trim and electric almost everything. It’s well equipped, as we said. As for the price, well the SX version we have lists at £11,415 but you can buy Lacettis from around the £10,000 mark and there’s a choice of hatch, saloon or estate bodystyles. For business buyers of course, these figures are often only the starting point for negotiation and Fleet Sales people selling cars like this have in times past often had to be very flexible, given the product on offer elsewhere. The current Lacetti however, is good enough to make their lives a lot easier in this respect. It’s priced as a Focus-sized Family Hatch yet offers interior space approaching that of a Mondeo or Vectra class of car.

"To overlook the Lacetti in this sector would be a mistake. Any Sales Rep who’s tried one will tell you that….."

Break out the tape measure and you’ll find that the Lacetti’s wheelbase is a full 2600mm long, longer than cars like the Alfa 159 and the Audi A3. Given that most cars in the Mondeo class campaign with a wheelbase of around 2670mm, you’ll appreciate that the Lacetti offers a surprising amount of room for a ‘compact’ car. With 932mm of rear legroom and 275 litres of boot volume, you’ll not feel claustrophobic in the back of a Lacetti. Fold the rear bench down, keep a keen eye open for animal welfare types and you’ll be able to swing a generously sized cat in the 1,045 litres of fresh air at your disposal. The 109bhp 1.6-litre unit in the version we’ve been using manages a top end of 116 mph and it dispatches the benchmark sprint in a sprightly 10.7 sec. With an even better fuel economy figure than the 1.4 (39.7mpg combined), the Lacetti 1.6 has a range of over 520 miles from the 13 gallon tank. As an alternative to the manual five-speed transmission, an electronically-controlled adaptive four-speed automatic transmission is also offered. Plus there’s a faster 1.8-litre Sport model, priced at £12,495. Only a diesel variant is missing from the range – something Chevrolet will put right next year. The ride and handling have been optimised for European driving conditions, Chevrolet doing most of their chassis tuning at MIRA near Nuneaton. Twin front and side airbags, four-channel anti lock braking and five three-point seat belts are offered as standard on every model, the front belts featuring load limiters. Styled by Italdesign, the Lacetti certainly doesn’t smack of something bargain basement. Chevrolet have forged quite a relationship with this design house, having been extremely happy with the styling work performed on the Matiz citycar and the Kalos supermini. The Lacetti’s shape is well resolved; a purposeful wedge with strong shoulders and a very pert rump. The wheel at each corner look not only gives a dynamic stance but also maximises internal space. The rear light clusters are an interesting design feature, bisected as they are by the shutline of the hatchback, and the stub tail and roofline of the car look very much like a Vauxhall Astra -which may be something less than a coincidence. The almond-shaped clear glass headlamps and well-defined wheel arches are signature post millennial design features and the Lacetti looks the part even in traditionally frumpy five-door guise. A three-door model isn’t offered which is something of a shame, as this would be quite a looker. In a market sector dominated these days by excellence, it’s easy for motoring journalists and Fleet Managers alike to take the Lacetti’s talents for granted. Even to overlook the car in conversations dominated by cars like the Mazda6, the Honda Accord and the Peugeot 407. That would be a mistake. Any sales rep who’s tried one will tell you that.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti 1.6 SX PRICE: £11,415 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 7 CO2 EMISSIONS: 178g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph – 10.7s / Max Speed – 116mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 1925/1452/1180mm

SERIOUS VALUE
Chevrolet’s range of Lacetti hatches, estates & saloons aims to prove that spacious family motoring doesn’t have to cost the thick end of £15,000. Jonathan Crouch reports

Every sixteenth car on the planet is a Chevrolet. Not in Britain of course, though over time, that is going to change now that the marque is establishing itself on these shores. Key to that process is sales performance of the Lacetti range we’re looking at here, a car now being offered not only as a five-door hatch but also in saloon and Station Wagon forms.

Smartly styled by Guigiaro, the Lacetti certainly doesn’t smack of something bargain basement, even if prices starting at around £10,000 for the entry-level 1.4SE 5-door Hatch pitch it against Superminis rather than larger family fare. Actually, in size, it sits somewhere between the Focus and Mondeo-sized classes, though if you’re travelling in the rear (where the legroom is particularly impressive), you might pitch the car towards the upper end of that comparison. A recent package of changes aims to further strengthen the car’s value proposition. The price of the entry-level 1.4-litre version has been reduced, despite the fact that the car now comes with alloy wheels, an alarm and rear parking sensors. Other prices in the line-up are pretty much unchanged, again, despite careful extra tweaks to the specifications of various models. The 1.6 SX variant for example, gets little touches like preparation for trailer connections, rear seat heating ducts, a rear seat coathook and a space saver spare tyre. It features alloy wheels too.

"Chevrolet have, by and large, done their homework well…."

Break out the tape measure and you’ll find that the Lacetti’s wheelbase is a full 2600mm long, longer than cars like the Audi A3. Given that most cars in the Mondeo class campaign with a wheelbase of around 2670mm, you’ll appreciate that the Lacetti offers a surprising amount of room for a ‘compact’ car. And as we’ve suggested, with 932mm of rear legroom and 275 litres of boot volume, you’ll not feel claustrophobic in the back of a Lacetti. Fold the rear bench down in the Hatch for example and, while keeping a keen eye open for animal welfare types, you’ll be able to swing a generously sized cat in the 1,045 litres of fresh air at your disposal. If space is a particularly key issue, then the 1.6-litre Station Wagon version could well appeal. There’s 400 litres of room available with the 60/40 split rear seats in place but a whopping 1,410 litres on offer should you drop them down. Alternatively, there’s a 1.8-litre Station Wagon with automatic transmission or a five-door hatchback Sport version. Chevrolet have, by and large, done their homework well. The company claim that almost two-thirds of all petrol engines in this segment, for example, have a capacity of between 1.4 and 1.8 litres, so the three power units available for the Lacetti would seem to fit this bill very well. There are 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8-litre engines which all drink from the green pump. The petrol engines available are all tried and tested twin overhead camshaft powerplants driven by a toothed belt with four-valve technology. The entry-level power train in the Lacetti 1.4 Hatch generates 92 bhp and will accelerate the car through 60mph in 11.3 sec and on to a top speed of 107 mph. Overall fuel consumption is a very creditable 39.2 mpg. Next up is the 109bhp 1.6-litre unit, offered in hatch and estate bodystyles. This manages a top end of 116.2 mph and it dispatches the benchmark sprint in a sprightly 10.4 sec. With an even better fuel economy figure than the 1.4 (39.7mpg combined), the Lacetti 1.6 has a range of over 520 miles from the 13 gallon tank. The 122bhp 1.8-litre engine used in the Saloon provides some entertainment and can notch off the dash to 60mph in 9.3 seconds and will only run out of puff at a heady 121mph. The Lacetti’s ride and handling have been optimised for European driving conditions, Chevrolet doing most of their chassis tuning at MIRA near Nuneaton. Twin front and side airbags, four-channel anti lock braking and five three-point seat belts are offered as standard on every model, the front belts featuring load limiters. Equipment levels have to be good to give the Lacetti any real chance against cheap Korean brands and by and large they are. As well as the features already mentioned, all buyers can expect to find central locking and electric front windows, while only the entry-level 1.4-litre Hatch does without air conditioning. Credible, quality, affordable cars always have a place in the family hatch sector and of late there have been precious few to fulfil those three criteria. Korean built it may be but Louis Chevrolet would have found a lot to like at the wheel of a Lacetti.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti range PRICES: £9,995-£12,845 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 4-7 CO2 EMISSIONS: 171-210g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.8] 0-60mph – 9.8s / Max Speed – 121mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.8] (combined) 38.1mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 1925/1452/1180mm

GAME, CET AND MATCH?
The 1.6-litre mid-range model in Chevrolet’s Lacetti line up offers the marque’s usual excellent value for money & a wider choice of bodystyles than you might expect. Andy Enright reports

Chevrolet are not a manufacturer who do things by halves. Over 175 million Chevys have been sold to date and at present, one is manufactured every seven seconds ready for sale in one of ninety markets around the world. You’d expect then that customer choice would be a major part of their selling proposition – as it is in the case of the 1.6-litre Lacetti model featured here.

The SX trim level is available as a 5-Door Hatch (£11,415) or as a Station Wagon (£11,915). For this kind of money, you’re getting something a good deal smarter than many far more expensive cars. The well built and stylish interiors are certainly a cut above what you’d expect for this kind of money. Admittedly that’s no great achievement, but when you realise the fit and finish are in fact superior to some of the mainstream bestsellers, the Lacetti suddenly seems a credible prospect. A recent package of changes aims to further strengthen the car’s value proposition. Buyers can now, for example, expect to find little touches like alloy wheels, preparation for trailer connections, rear seat heating ducts, a rear seat coathook and a space saver spare tyre. Remote central locking and anti lock brakes are, as before, fitted as standard to SX models, along with four airbags, 15-inch alloy wheels, powered and heated door mirrors, air conditioning and steering wheel mounted stereo controls. The steering wheel and gear knob are leather-covered and the exterior door handles and bodyside mouldings are colour-keyed.

"You’re getting something a good deal smarter than many far more expensive cars…"

The 109bhp 1.6-litre unit manages a top end of 116 mph and it dispatches the benchmark sprint in a sprightly 10.7 sec. With an even better fuel economy figure than the 1.4 (39.7mpg combined), the Lacetti 1.6 has a range of over 520 miles from the 13 gallon tank. As an alternative to the manual five-speed transmission, an electronically-controlled adaptive four-speed automatic transmission is also offered on the Hatch and Station Wagon models. The ride and handling have been optimised for European driving conditions, Chevrolet doing most of their chassis tuning at MIRA near Nuneaton. Twin front and side airbags, four-channel anti lock braking and five three-point seat belts are offered as standard on every model, the front belts featuring load limiters. Styled by Italdesign, the Lacetti certainly doesn’t smack of something bargain basement. Chevrolet have forged quite a relationship with this design house, having been extremely happy with the styling work performed on the original Matiz citycar and the Kalos supermini. The Lacetti’s shape is well resolved; a purposeful wedge with strong shoulders and a very pert rump. The wheel at each corner look not only gives a dynamic stance but also maximises internal space. Break out the tape measure and you’ll find that the Lacetti’s wheelbase is a full 2600mm long, longer than cars like the Alfa 156 and the Audi A3. Given that most cars in the Mondeo class campaign with a wheelbase of around 2670mm, you’ll appreciate that the Lacetti offers a surprising amount of room for a ‘compact’ car. With 932mm of rear legroom and 275 litres of boot volume in the Hatch, you’ll not feel claustrophobic in the back of a Lacetti. Fold the rear bench down, keep a keen eye open for animal welfare types and you’ll be able to swing a generously sized cat in the 1,045 litres of fresh air at your disposal in the Hatch. This rises to 1,410 litres in the Station Wagon variant. The rear light clusters are an interesting design feature of the Hatch, bisected as they are by the shutline of the hatchback, and the stub tail and roofline of the car look very much like a Vauxhall Astra -which may be something less than a coincidence. The almond-shaped clear glass headlamps and well-defined wheel arches are signature post millennial design features and the Lacetti looks the part even in traditionally frumpy five-door guise. A three-door model isn’t offered which is something of a shame, as this would be quite a looker. It’s vitally important for Chevrolet to establish a meaningful presence in the family hatch sector. First impressions suggest the Lacetti will be able to stand toe to toe with some of the more established family hatch favourites. Assuming you get the right deal, the 1.6SX models looks to be interesting propositions for the motorist who’s self assured enough not to worry unduly about badge equity.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti 1.6 SX range PRICE: £11,115-£11,615 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 7 CO2 EMISSIONS: 178g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph – 10.7s / Max Speed – 116mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 1925/1452/1180mm

COST EFFECTIVE?
‘A family hatchback for supermini money’. Chevrolet’s Lacetti isn’t the first car to make a similar claim but it’s one that value-conscious customers would do well to consider….

The supermini is the most popular type of car amongst UK buyers and with good reason. It’s compact and manoeuvrable but with a decent amount of space inside, it’s fun and it’s affordable. If you’ve amassed a budget of around £10,000 to spend on a new car, the leading superminis are its most likely destination and the chances are that you and your Fiesta, Clio, Corsa or 207 will be very happy together. Don’t sign on the dotted line just yet though. There are alternatives to joining the massed ranks of supermini drivers when you’ve got ten grand burning a hole in your pocket and we’ve been testing one of them. Chevrolet’s Lacetti 1.4-litre SE is a family-sized hatchback for supermini money.

£9,995 is the going rate for ownership of the 1.4-litre petrol-engined Lacetti we’ve been running the rule over for the last few months and that’s not very much when you look at the car in context of the wider market. As we’ve already indicated, £10,000 is the sort of outlay required for a reasonably plush supermini but the Lacetti is a family hatchback so it’s larger and it’s a Chevrolet so you still get a respectable quota of equipment. There are drawbacks in terms of the quality of the interior and the rather drab styling but the Lacetti is basically inoffensive and there are some areas where it excels. Interior space is one. No matter how you measure it, the Lacetti is a big car for under £10,000. Most superminis will take rear seat passengers but only grudgingly so. Kids will fit in fine but adults will usually find the accommodation cramped, particularly on longer journeys. The Lacetti, on the other hand offers up a spacious rear bench with room enough for three adult passengers on short trips or for two to be transported in some comfort over longer distances. The boot is a big ‘un as well, with capacity that you simply wouldn’t get in a supermini. Those extra inches pay dividends when you’ve got bulky items to shift and with the rear bench folded down there’s yet more fresh air to be exploited.

"…it’s a good indication of how far modern cars have come"

If you like a car brimming with character and groundbreaking design, the Lacetti isn’t it. This is a car that keeps things simple but this means that from behind the wheel, it’s instantly apparent where everything is and what everything does. This kind of accessibility will be just what some buyers are looking for. Some thought has obviously gone into the dashboard design. The oval air-vents are ringed with chrome and raised out of the top section of the fascia. There’s a letterbox-like aperture at the top which houses the digital clock and the bold speedo design makes it easy to read. The quality of the materials used gives the game away, the leather-effect plastic fooling nobody and the ventilation controls, although solid in operation, are fashioned from the kind of shiny black plastic that’s been largely banished from today’s soft touch family hatchback interiors. Storage is never in short supply though, with no fewer that 25 different places to put your odds and ends dotted around the cabin. Special mention goes to the water bottle holder next to the handbrake (that’s ideal for those 1.0-litre bottles often sold at filling stations) and the box under the armrest that takes a good handful of CDs. The styling won’t win any awards for originality but our 5-door hatchback is a well-proportioned car. The chrome grille along with its pronounced ridge that runs down the flanks and around the tailgate even gives a little individuality. The driving position in the Lacetti is very polished indeed. There’s only rake adjustment for the steering column in the 1.4-litre model we’ve been testing but that hasn’t hampered a number of differently proportioned drivers in getting comfortable. The gearlever is well located as well and its action around the gate is positive, if slightly ‘long throw’. The suspension is well judged, giving reasonable composure at the kind of cornering speeds that most owners will attempt and good ride quality. The weighty steering helps make the Lacetti a relaxing motorway car without sacrificing convenience when parking or turning at lower speeds but the wheel could be attached to an oil tanker’s rudder for all the feedback you get. You’re never going to get savage performance from a 1.4-litre engine in a car this size but the Lacetti’s powerplant pulls well enough. It’s been found out on a few occasions, one in particular when a full load of passengers and luggage meant that 1st gear and full throttle had to be engaged to crest a particularly steep hill, but otherwise complaints have been rare. Refinement is particularly good with the measures taken to soundproof the cabin really paying dividends on longer trips. We’ve averaged around 35mpg on the test and that’s more than respectable. The Lacetti represents lowest common denominator motoring but it’s a good indication of how far modern cars have come. Not so long ago, buyers at this lower end of the market ran the gauntlet of disintegrating trim, threadbare equipment lists and lethargic design. Budget cars used to look and feel decidedly budget but the Lacetti doesn’t. It’s a very capable vehicle and at under £10,000, has plenty to offer prospective supermini buyers who would prefer to get the maximum metal for their money.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4SE 5-door PRICE: £9,995 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 171g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph – 11.6s / Max Speed – 109mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 1925/1452/1180mm

ECONOMY CLASSIC?
We’ve taken a long term look at Chevrolet’s entry level Lacetti to ascertain whether cheap really can be cheerful. Steve Walker reports…

It’s a simple fact that some cars are easier to get excited about than others. I like to think that even if you’re completely uninterested in all things automotive, you can still appreciate why some people marvel at the unfettered opulence of a Rolls Royce and others come over all gooey at the merest glimpse of a Lamborghini’s outrageous styling. Chevrolet’s 1.4-litre Lacetti is a different proposition altogether. Not a car that grabs hold of your heart strings and lashes them to the caboose of a speeding locomotive, its appeal is less obvious. That’s what makes it an ideal candidate for a long term test.

£9,995; that’s what the 5-door Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4-litre SE costs and that’s the crux of Chevrolet’s argument where this car is concerned. For that kind of outlay, you can just about squeak into a moderately well-specified mainstream supermini but the Lacetti is a full size family hatchback and if you want a mainstream one of those for under £10,000, you’d better be a formidable haggler. There are alternatives in the budget hatchback field but if you don’t fancy a car with a less desirable South East Asian badge, your search will keep leading you back to your local Chevrolet dealer. This is why a lot of Lacettis find happy homes. It’s a cheap car that’s largely inoffensive in areas that matter and the Chevrolet brand has a touch more cachet than rival budget marques. The question is whether buyers who take the plunge are making a false economy. Wouldn’t it be better to stretch the overdraft a little further to secure that entry-level Ford Focus? That’s what our long term test set out to find out. This is lowest common denominator motoring and it’s a good indication of how far modern cars have come. Not so long ago, buyers at this lower end of the market ran the gauntlet of disintegrating trim, threadbare equipment lists and lethargic design. Budget cars used to look and feel decidedly budget but the Lacetti doesn’t. The styling won’t win any awards for originality but our 5-door hatchback is a well proportioned car and the chrome grille along with the pronounced ridge that runs down the flanks and around the tailgate give a little character.

"Refinement is particularly good"

Interior space is plentiful and passenger accommodation is one area where there’s no need to make excuses for the Lacetti or remind people how little it costs. Owners should have no trouble seating three across the rear bench and legroom is quite adequate so long as the front passengers don’t slide their seats to the rearmost setting. The amount of headroom inside will be more than enough for all but the loftiest occupants and the designers have managed to achieve this without giving the car an unpleasantly distended roofline. The grey cloth trim in our model feels a little low rent but it helps to lighten up the interior, adding to the airy feel. In the boot, there’s a decent amount of space but the high loading lip means that items must be lifted and lowered rather than slid inside. Some thought has obviously gone into the dashboard design. The oval air-vents are ringed with chrome and raised out of the top section of the fascia. There’s a letterbox-like aperture at the top which houses the digital clock and the bold speedo design makes it easy to read. The effect is simple and technophobes will warm to the distinct lack of buttons even though the key functions that buyers tend to look for are all present. The quality of the materials used gives the game away, the leather-effect plastic fooling nobody and the ventilation controls, although solid in operation, are fashioned from the kind of shiny black plastic that’s been largely banished from today’s soft touch family hatchback interiors. Storage is never in short supply with no fewer that 25 different places to put your odds and ends dotted around the cabin. Special mention goes to the water bottle holder next to the handbrake that’s ideal for those 1-litre bottles often sold at filling stations and the box under the armrest that takes a good handful of CDs. The driving position in the Lacetti is very polished indeed. There’s only rake adjustment for the steering column in the 1.4-litre model we’ve been testing but that hasn’t hampered a number of differently proportioned drivers in getting comfortable. The gearlever is well located as well and its action around the gate is positive if slightly ‘long throw’. The suspension is well judged, giving reasonable composure at the kind of cornering speeds that most owners will attempt and good ride quality. The weighty steering helps make the Lacetti a relaxing motorway car without sacrificing convenience when parking or turning at lower speeds but the wheel could be attached to an oil tanker’s rudder for all the feedback you get. You’re never going to get savage performance from a 1.4-litre engine in a car this size but the Lacetti’s powerplant pulls well enough. It’s been found out on a few occasions, one in particular when a full load of passengers and luggage meant that 1st gear and full throttle had to be engaged to crest a particularly steep hill, but otherwise complaints have been rare. Refinement is particularly good with the measures taken to soundproof the cabin really paying dividends on longer trips. We’ve averaged around 35mpg on the test and that’s more than respectable. Overall, the long term verdict on our Chevrolet Lacetti has been a positive one. You can see where the extra £1,000 or so that Ford would charge you for an equivalent Focus goes but buyers who aren’t interested in ‘on the limit’ handling or the intricacies of interior trim quality would rather see it go on a new wide-screen telly or next year’s family holiday. The Lacetti can save buyers of this mindset a substantial amount of money without making them feel like they’re missing out and that really is something to get excited about.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4SE 5-door PRICE: £9,995 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 171g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph – 11.6s / Max Speed – 109mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 1925/1452/1180mm

HEAD CHEV?
After affordable family motoring and want a new car? You’re not alone. To make the right choice, you’ll need to factor in purchase price, value, reliability and depreciation. Chevrolet’s Lacetti 1.4 SE seems, on paper, to offer all of the above. We’ve been clocking up the miles in one to find out whether it can really deliver.

Car makers would be placed in a bit of a predicament if we all simply bought the car we need rather than the one we want. The entire global automotive industry is underpinned by motorists aspiring to own ever more desirable and expensive cars, ultimately settling for the best one that they can afford. If we all short-circuited the advertising and marketing machines of the various manufacturers, ignored the brand engineering and chose our next car based on a dispassionate evaluation of what we actually needed it to do, most of us would probably end up with something like Chevrolet’s Lacetti 1.4 SE.

We’ve spent quite some time at the wheel of the Lacetti and it’s a pretty inoffensive sort. There’s plenty of room for four adults, five can squeeze in at a pinch and when you lift the hatch, you’ll get a decent quantity of luggage in the good sized boot. The engine is relatively economical and pokey enough to get you about without any unnecessary frustration. There are better finished cars, cars that are more exciting to look at and cars that are more enjoyable to drive but the Lacetti takes care of the basics while keeping costs low. They probably wouldn’t feel as good about themselves or relish the prospect of getting behind the wheel quite as readily but most motorists could live reasonably happily with the Lacetti 1.4 SE and save themselves a lot of money into the bargain. To owners of performance sportscars, racy convertibles, rugged 4x4s, imperious executive saloons and even funky citycars, this will constitute a nightmarish vision. There’s definitely an argument that says the joy of car ownership is the freedom it affords. Not just the freedom to travel independently but the freedom to express our identity through what we drive. Cars are so much more than a tool for travel, they’re a status symbol, an object of desire and of pride, an extension of the self capable of entertaining and bringing enjoyment on a number of levels.

"Most of the time, it is all the car you need…."

This, of course, is exactly the state of affairs that the car makers perpetuate. Through this they can oblige us to lust after ever faster, more luxurious and more stylish vehicles, funnelling us up the automotive food chain relieving us of more and more of our cash along the way. Most of us are only too happy to engage in this process but cars like the Lacetti do provide the option of opting out, at least to an extent. Chevrolet’s PR people will still tell you that their famous American badge holds greater kudos with the British car buyer than rival budget marques coming out of south east Asia, so even at this end of the market, the battle of the brands is being fought. On close inspection, the Lacetti doesn’t disgrace itself on grounds of quality. The materials in the cabin aren’t quite of mainstream calibre but some of them come close. The seating will be on the soft side for many tastes and there’s little inspiration in the design. On the plus side, accommodation is generous, there’s a comfortable driving position with a good degree of adjustment and plenty of storage options are laid on. If you view your car as a tool for getting you to work and the kids to school, why pay more? The driving position in the Lacetti is quite polished. There’s only rake adjustment for the steering column in the 1.4-litre model we’ve been testing but that hasn’t hampered a number of differently proportioned drivers in getting comfortable. The gearlever is well located as well and its action around the gate is positive if slightly ‘long throw’. The suspension is well judged, giving reasonable composure at the kind of cornering speeds that most owners will attempt and good ride quality even over difficult surfaces. The weighty steering helps make the Lacetti a relaxing motorway car without sacrificing convenience when parking or turning at lower speeds but the wheel could be attached to an oil tanker’s rudder for all the feedback you get from it. The Lacetti isn’t a car that responds well to being driven quickly but if driving quickly isn’t your thing, it’s not half bad. You’re never going to get savage performance from a 1.4-litre engine in a car this size but the Lacetti’s powerplant pulls well enough. It’s been found out on a few occasions, one in particular when a full load of passengers and luggage meant that 1st gear and full throttle had to be engaged to crest a particularly steep hill, but otherwise complaints have been rare. Refinement is particularly good with the measures taken to soundproof the cabin really paying dividends on longer trips. We’ve averaged around 35mpg on the test and that’s more than respectable. For the money, it’s hard to fault the Lacetti. The TV advertisements and that twinge of jealousy when you catch sight of more prestigious hatchbacks on the street will tell you otherwise but most of the time, it is all the car you need. We’re not righting off the undoubted benefits of a well balanced chassis a muscular engine or beautifully finished interior here but these are not essentials to a lot of people. The Lacetti has proved to us on this long term test that it does the budget car thing very admirably and it deserves respect for that.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4SE 5-door PRICE: £9,995 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 171g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph – 11.6s / Max Speed – 109mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 1925/1452/1180mm

FAMILY VIRTUES
What really matters when it comes to choosing a family car? Sharp styling, fun handling, hi-tech engineering. Or perhaps good old fashioned value for money. The Fidler family plumped for just that and went for a Chevrolet Lacetti. They’ve not regretted it….

When the Fidler family were looking for second car, they weren’t really considering a Chevrolet Lacetti. Which isn’t unusual. Few people who end up buying Lacettis start off with them at the top of their shopping lists. So why are there so many examples of this car plying British roads? You can sum the reason up in three words: value for money.

So it was with the Fidlers. They wanted a new car for peace of mind but needed to keep their spend to around £9,000 at the most. For that, they found themselves looking at a bunch of different Fiesta-sized superminis. Now superminis are significantly bigger these days than they used to be but for a family with four children, they’re still not big enough. The Fidlers have another larger car but they still needed their second vehicle to have more space it in than the type of budget hirecar they’d habitually pick up on their holidays. They’d almost given up hope for finding anything suitable when it was suggested that they might try a Lacetti. This Chevrolet is essentially as large as a Focus or Astra Family Hatchback but priced like a Supermini. The entry-level 1.4SE was at first glance slightly above the Fidler’s budget, costing £9,995, but a range of ongoing retailer deals brought it comfortably into their budget. It was a purchase dad Terry went into with his eyes open. "I wasn’t expecting it to be the sharpest car in its sector to drive or the most up to date in feel. I was expecting strong build quality, good looks, a long warranty, a decent level of equipment and plenty of space for the money. I’ve been very impressed in all these areas. Let me give you an example. I had to pick up a 50-inch plasma screen for the new coffee area in my church the other day. The shop told me before I set out that I’d need an estate to get it home. I was sure though that I could do the job in my Lacetti. In the event I was right: it was no problem." In fact, Terry’s only issue in this respect is the boot’s high loading lip which means that items must be lifted and lowered rather than slid inside.

"Inexpensive value for money family motoring in a durable day to day package. Hard to argue with that…."

For his wife Laura, the space has been welcome but more important has been the general hard wearing quality of the interior. "Like most kids, ours are messy. This car has survived knocks, bashes, sticky fingers, ingrained chocolate and food fights. And it still cleans up nicely. I reckon manufacturers like Chevrolet should benchmark families like ours in their model development." Laura liked the way that storage is never in short supply with no fewer that 25 different places to put your odds and ends dotted around the cabin. Special mention in her book goes to the water bottle holder next to the handbrake that’s ideal for those 1-litre bottles often sold at filling stations and the box under the armrest that takes a good handful of CDs. Both the Fidler parents liked the driving position in the Lacetti. This car has only rake adjustment for the steering column but that hasn’t hampered them in getting comfortable. The gearlever is well located as well and Terry thought its action around the gate to be positive if slightly ‘long throw’. The suspension they thought to be well judged, giving reasonable composure at the kind of cornering speeds that most owners will attempt and good ride quality. Laura thought that the steering offered a decent balance between a weighty feel at motorway speeds and convenience when parking. "It doesn’t offer much driver feedback though," remarked Terry when I press him on the subject. "Still, it’s not meant to be a sporty car is it?" The answer is no of course. You’re never going to get savage performance from a 1.4-litre engine in a car this size but the Lacetti’s powerplant pulls well enough. It’s been found out on a few occasions, one in particular when a full load of passengers and luggage meant that 1st gear and full throttle had to be engaged to crest a particularly steep hill, but otherwise complaints have been rare. Refinement is particularly good with the measures taken to soundproof the cabin really paying dividends on longer trips. The fuel consumption hasn’t been quite as good as the Fidlers had hoped but an overall average of 35mpg has proved acceptable. When the family has transported adult friends, the larger cabin has come in useful. There’s been no trouble in seating three across the rear bench and legroom is quite adequate so long as the front passengers don’t slide their seats to the rearmost setting. The amount of headroom inside has proved to be more than enough for all but the loftiest occupants and Terry was impressed by the way that the designers had managed to achieve this without giving the car an unpleasantly distended roofline. The Lacetti, despite its regular appearance as ‘the reasonably priced car’ for stars on BBC’s Top Gear programme, is never going to get the car magazine journalists raving. But Chevrolet don’t care – and nor do the Fidlers. For them, this model is the Ronseal of the car world: it delivers exactly what it promises on the tin. Inexpensive value for money family motoring in a durable day to day package. Hard to argue with that.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4SE 5-door PRICE: £9,995 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 171g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph – 11.6s / Max Speed – 108mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 30.8mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 1925/1452/1180mm