Chevrolet Lacetti
Ratings
3 stars
Summary
Average. Unpretentious to the point of being dull - but tough construction and painless dynamics make it worthy of bargain seekers' attention.
Review
If VFM comes at the top of your list of priorities then Chevrolet's case is pretty irresistible. The Lacetti is a mid-sized hatchback, saloon and estate that undercuts more mainstream rivals by a healthy margin, while still offering decent equipment and a thoroughly inoffensive driving experience.
Styling isn't its strongest suite - the chrome grille does little to raise the ambiance of a very boring bit of design. But inside its cabin the Lacetti is well designed and decently finished with tough-feeling materials. Some bits of trim feel cheap, and you won't find the smoothly damped grabhandle action that more expensive rivals can offer - but for the price, it would be churlish to complain. Front seat occupants benefit from decent space, although those in the back lack legroom. Both hatch and estate offer good luggage areas although the saloon's boot is accessed through a tight aperture.
Driving manners keep with the utility image - you won't be excited by the way a Lacetti goes, but it certainly won't offend you, either. The ride is smooth over most surfaces, refinement is reasonable and the cornering remains predictable up to the relatively modest grip limits - the only real complaints are with a sudden-biting clutch and a sometimes hesitant throttle.
Only petrol engines are available at present. All provide reasonable performance, with the range-topping 1.8 litre unit bordering on rapidity, although fuel economy is relatively poor by class standards. Low maintenance costs redress the balance somewhat, but the Lacetti also suffers from relatively poor residual values, increasing ownership costs further.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
2 star
Style is not one of the Lacetti's notable qualities - bland design is barely lifted by the excessively chromey radiator grille.
Handling
3 star
Composed cornering and good motorway stability are more than enough to satisfy the Lacetti's dynamically undemanding clientele.
Comfort
3 star
Ride quality is reasonable, although cabin noise levels get relatively high at motorway speeds due to low gearing.
Quality & Reliability
3 star
It doesn't feel expensive - but it does feel tough. Doors shut with a weighty
Performance
3 star
The base 1.4 litre petrol engine needs to be worked hard for decent progress, the 1.6 and 1.8 are far better - although both get loud when pushed.
Roominess
3 star
Decent space in the front, although driving position lacks the range of adjustment of some rivals. Rear seat space is relatively tight, but the luggage area is impressively large.
Running Costs
3 star
Cheap servicing and insurance are the upsides, but depreciation is steeper than mainstream rivals - and fuel economy is knocked by the lack of a diesel option.
Value for money
5 star
The more basic versions look like compelling value, although we'd recommend going far enough up the range to land standard aircon. Prices undercut equivalent Focus and Astra by several thousand pounds.
