All Chevrolet Lacetti reviews

"It offers punchy performance, an attractive price, keen equipment levels, a neatly styled exterior and quick-witted handling. ?"

'All the car you need. Plus it's a Chevy'. At least the sticker on the back window summed up what this 1.6-litre Lacetti Saloon was all about. This is hardly a technologically cutting edge family four-door but at just £10,995, you don't really need it to be.

Manufactured in South Korea, the 1.6-litre engine is a generation on from some of the other wheezing lumps we've seen in cars from this continent. This sixteen-valve unit features twin overhead camshafts and a variable length intake manifold to guarantee a broad spread of torque. Subjectively, it feels like a decent 1.8-litre unit and the Lacetti Saloon's ability to sprint through 60mph in 10.3 seconds is very similar to that of other Focus-sized 1.8i saloons, thus backing up the suspicion. Top speed is a very creditable 116mph and the average fuel economy figure of 39.8mpg isn't going to break the bank. A package of changes for 2006 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 this SX model, 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. Styling-wise,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. Next to the cabin. In the past, Korean cars have become synonymous with acres of shiny grey plastic, cheap componentry and a significant style blind spot. Although the Lacetti Saloon isn't about to win any awards, it's no embarrassment. A light metallic look for the centre console and overlapping fascia dials hint at a touch of design flair although there's not the same feeling of solidity inherent in a Skoda. Nevertheless it's a welcome progression from the old Daewoos that used to roll out of the same factory. On to the driving experience. Fortunately, the Lacetti Saloon's 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. The independent rear suspension system gives the Lacetti Saloon a distinctly agile feel. Tyres were also an integral part of the equation and the Lacetti Saloon's tyres feature a stiff sidewall to complement the sportier suspension. Equipment levels have to be good to give the Lacetti any real chance against cheap Far Eastern brands and by and as we've already said, by and large they are. If you want more and can stretch to £12,395, there's a 1.8-litre CDX model that includes a five-disc CD change with remote steering wheel controls, speed-sensitive power steering, fog lamps and rain sensitive wipers. At this level, you can also opt to pay a 1,000 premium for a four-speed ZF automatic gearbox. Alternatively, if you want to stick to 1.6-litre power but want the versatility of a five-door Hatch or a Station Wagon estate, both are available at £10,795 or £11,395 respectively. 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. The Lacetti Saloon 1.6SX offers punchy performance, an attractive price, keen equipment levels, a neatly styled exterior and quick-witted handling. How can it possibly fail? One suspects that the real issue here is one of public awareness. Now's your opportunity to get in quick, thus arming yourself with a whole heap of 'told-you-so'.