Chevrolet Matiz
Ratings
2 stars
Summary
Not recommended. Bargain basement transport - but the Matiz is far more cheap than cheerful.
Review
It's a little bit unfair to criticise the Matiz for most of its immediately obvious failings. This is a car that's sold entirely on the grounds of value for money, with typical buyers unlikely to mind too much about its outdated driving dynamics, poor equipment or indifferent safety systems.
The narrow, upright styling is inoffensive enough, although the plasticky cabin is finished in very cheap materials and without much in the way of standard equipment. The driving position isn't very comfortable and the Matiz gets very loud over longer journeys.
Handling feels at least 15 years out of date - a million miles away from the dynamic standards of the best modern superminis. The Matiz has an almost comical lack of front-end grip, although this can get alarming in the rain. Performance is also extremely limited with either the basic 0.8 litre three-cylinder engine or the very slightly more potent 1.0 litre unit.
Running costs are very low, but buyers should also consider the sort of nearly-new mainstream supermini that the same amount of money could land them.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
2 star
The Matiz looks as it is: cheap and cheerless. New headlights do nothing to lift the ambiance of the front end.
Handling
1 star
Predictable up to its very modest limits, but the alarming lack of front-end grip and lots of body roll mean the baby Chevrolet is only suited to making very gentle progress.
Comfort
2 star
Seats get uncomfortable over longer journeys and lots of road and wind noise gets into the cabin.
Quality & Reliability
2 star
The Matiz has a proven durability record, but the cheap interior materials feel like they were assembled by the lowest bidder's second cousin.
Performance
1 star
Forget it - there are faster milkfloats out there. Basic 0.8 litre petrol version is particularly gutless.
Roominess
3 star
The tall construction gives a reasonable amount of space for front and rear seat occupants, although only two will fit across the back. Boot is tiny, though.
Running Costs
4 star
Cheap servicing and excellent fuel economy makes the Matiz a way to stretch your motoring budget as far as possible, although steep depreciation is expensive in the long run.
Value for money
3 star
Matiz buyers get plenty of car for their very modest outlay, but the lack of kit or safety equipment means that most buyers will try to find the extra for something decent.
