All Daewoo Lacetti reviews

"If you haven't driven a Daewoo since the Espero and Nexia era then the Lacetti 1.6SX is going to come as something of a shock"

Daewoo are a manufacturer undergoing a radical corporate realignment. Not only have they been swallowed up by the General Motors empire in a much publicised move that will guarantee them financial security, but they must also cope with a changing automotive market. No longer is it enough to sell unsophisticated cars backed up by generous after sales packages. The Lacetti 1.6-litre models show that having a more polished product is vital in a cut throat competitive environment.

Solely available in one trim level at present, the 1.6-litre proposition isn't that difficult to take on board. If you haven't driven a Daewoo since the days they were importing the Espero and the Nexia, then the Lacetti 1.6SX is going to come as something of a shock. Priced at £10,495, this model looks a good deal smarter than many far more expensive cars. The well built and stylish interior 's enough to make something like a Rover 45 look like something from the ark. Admittedly that's not too tricky, 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. Remote central locking and anti lock brakes are fitted as standard to the SX along with four airbags, 15-inch alloy wheels, powered and heated door mirrors, air conditioning and steering wheel mounted stereo controls. It pays to keep a track of the options as it's easy to add quite a lot to the car's list price. For example, the 1.6SX is fitted with a decent Blaupunkt CD stereo although there's a DAB digital radio option for another £295. There's also something a little bit Ryanair about charging customers an extra £249 for any colour other than white.

The 109bhp 1.6-litre unit manages a top end of 116 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. As an alternative to the manual five-speed transmission, an electronically-controlled adaptive four-speed automatic transmission will also be offered. The ride and handling have been optimised for European driving conditions, Daewoo 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. Like any Daewoo, the Lacetti comes with a comprehensive after-sales package that comprises a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty and free servicing arrangement and a three year AA Total Recovery package is also part of the deal. Factor in an Institute of Advanced Motorists driving course and you virtually guarantee peace of mind. What's more, all of these benefits are transferable to the subsequent owner which should help plump up short term resale values. Styled by Italdesign, the Lacetti certainly doesn't smack of something bargain basement. Daewoo 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. 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, 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. It's vitally important for Daewoo to establish a meaningful presence in the family hatch sector. To date, their attempts at penetrating this potentially lucrative market have met with limited success. The Nexia and its successor, the Lanos, never campaigned on anything but lowest common denominator pricing, but first impressions suggest the Lacetti will be able to stand toe to toe with some of the more established family hatch favourites. The 1.6SX model, if sensibly specified, looks an interesting proposition for the motorist who's self assured enough not to worry unduly about badge equity.