Chevrolet Lacetti All The Car You Need? : HEAD CHEV?

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After affordable family motoring and want a new car? Youre not alone. To make the right choice, youll need to factor in purchase price, value, reliability and depreciation. Chevrolets Lacetti 1.4 SE seems, on paper, to offer all of the above.

Weve 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 Chevrolets Lacetti 1.4 SE.

Weve spent quite some time at the wheel of the Lacetti and its a pretty inoffensive sort. Theres plenty of room for four adults, five can squeeze in at a pinch and when you lift the hatch, youll 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 wouldnt 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. Theres 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, theyre 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. Chevrolets 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 doesnt disgrace itself on grounds of quality. The materials in the cabin arent quite of mainstream calibre but some of them come close. The seating will be on the soft side for many tastes and theres little inspiration in the design. On the plus side, accommodation is generous, theres 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. Theres only rake adjustment for the steering column in the 1.4-litre model weve been testing but that hasnt 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 tankers rudder for all the feedback you get from it. The Lacetti isnt a car that responds well to being driven quickly but if driving quickly isnt your thing, its not half bad. Youre never going to get savage performance from a 1.

4-litre engine in a car this size but the Lacettis powerplant pulls well enough. Its 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. Weve averaged around 35mpg on the test and thats more than respectable.

For the money, its 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. Were 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