Skip to content
Chevrolet models, news & reviews
3
Handling
Performance
2
Usability
4
Feelgood factor
Readers' rating
2.5
By Richard Aucock
First Drives
15 May 2008 09:13
The Chevrolet Epica probably isn’t a car review you’ve been waiting for, but the real appeal lies in what dealers stick to the windscreen: £13,595. A typo? No, a price that buys you a base Epica. Really. A car longer than a Porsche Cayenne – and one with a straight-six petrol engine under the broad, commanding hood. Yes, just like BMW uses. Only here, mounted transversely, and driving the front wheels. This is clever packaging that proves the Epica has been properly engineered.
And now we've road tested it we’ve found there’s more to the Epica than meets the eye. Honestly. Take the styling. Yes, unadventurous three-box lines scream ‘box’. But deep, clean sides and a taut windowline make it more ‘Euro’ than most Korean rivals, while the quality, lustrous paint is superb.
There's also multi-link rear suspension and a common-rail diesel that’s both more powerful and more economical than the petrol. Even interior plastics, while clearly priced down to a budget, hide their cost with a low-sheen finish. Build quality appears reasonable on first acquaintance, too.
Things seem good, particularly as the kit is epic (sorry). The base LS has part leather, air-con and six airbags. The LT adds climate control, ESP and full leather, heated up front. Shame the dash design is blocky, and heather controls set low beneath a Saab-alike stereo.
Click 'Next' to read more about the Epica
Add your comment
Sign in You must be signed in to submit a comment.
Chevrolet Epica 2.0D LS (2008) driven CAR review
Subject
Your comment
By submitting your comment, you agree to adhere to the CAR Magazine website Terms and Conditions
Cancel
You must be logged in to subscribe to a topic
Login or register now
kkirkou says
RE: Chevrolet Epica 2.0D LS driven
Koreans can do way better, as it is now proved with the transformed Hyundai and Kia. GM can't handle well its brands, just remember that failure the Saabaru and that other failure the Saab Huge-X-Something SUV, and Chevy-Daewoo can only sell on their price. I don't know why I even read this article...
16 May 2008 21:12
jacomoseven says
To be honest, I really don't think we should care about a car that's so uninteresting to look at or drive. I had the misfortune to hire a Chevy Lacetti hatch a few years ago (I begged for something else, but it was the only car on offer) and it really was shit. Horrible drivetrain (at least the Epica sounds better on this front) and feedback-free dynamics. The sort of car that makes you angry while driving. Although, to be fair, it too had nice paint. This car is admirably cheap, yes, but we don't make our buying decisions just on price, do we?
16 May 2008 09:32
mini1 says
Looks horrifically dated already - what's the point in this if they've already got the equally as not important Lacetti Saloon? I think it looks awful - more of a 2001 design!
15 May 2008 16:09
comment8 says
Well at least it marks a change in subject matter. The tone however in common with a lot of CARs writing these days is re-cycled PR. This car has been slated in OZ (it replaced the Vectra in Holdens line up) for its poor crash safety.
15 May 2008 13:55
bertandnairobi says
Richard Aucock begins his review with this: "The Chevrolet Epica probably isn’t a car review you’ve been waiting for..." Wrong, Eleanor, wrong. By assuming we don´t care about the kinds of cars we might actually be able to afford reveals that the Car editorial office is completely out of touch with its readers. This sort of material is precisely what Car has been lacking for ages. If you only reviewed fleet fodder I´d be fed up too. But as it is, you only seem to cover impossibly expensive cars. After a steady diet of such irrelevances as Porsche, Audi and Ferrari and Aston dribble out, the Epica review is actually very refreshing. To be told "we don´t care" is fundamentally patronising. If you wish to continue patronising us, here are some more opening sentences for some upcoming reviews you won´t be writing: "It´s just another boring Ford but..." "Yawn, another car for plebs from Peugeot but..." "Yes, we all know Citroens aren´t chick magnets like the Porsches we reviewed last week but..." "For our poorer readers we deigned to drive a car from Hyundai...." "Only pond scum will consider anything badged Renault but...." "Yes, it´s an affordable car and but..." "We can´t imagine anyone caring about anything made by Skoda but..." Dear oh, dear, but that opening sentence was just so ill-considered. Think before you write.
15 May 2008 10:46
Upload stories, photos or videos direct to the site, or email newsdesk@carmagazine.co.uk.
Alternatively, call 01733 468 485 (+ 44 1733 468 485)
Seen a secret new car, fabulous exotic or have news we should publish? Then get in touch now.
