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First Drives

Chevrolet Epica 2.0D LS driven CAR review

By Richard Aucock

First drive

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.

Sounds interesting. Tell me more about the Chevrolet Epica...

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

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Need to know

CAR's rating

rating is 3

Handling

rating is 3

Performance

rating is 2

Usability

rating is 4

Feelgood factor

rating is 4

Readers' rating

rating is 2.5

Statistics

How much? £14,595
On sale in the UK: Now
Engine: 1991cc 4-cyl turbodiesel, 148bhp @ 4000rpm, 236lb ft @ 2000rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance: 9.7sec 0-62mph, 124mph, 46.3mpg, 169g/km CO2
How heavy / made of? 1560kg/steel
How big (length/width/height in mm)? 4805/1810/1180

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Chevrolet Epica 2.0D LS driven CAR review

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kkirkou

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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

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jacomoseven says

RE: Chevrolet Epica 2.0D LS driven

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

Si70

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Si70 says

RE: Chevrolet Epica 2.0D LS driven

What a half-hearted effort of an article. From the 'you don't really care about this, do you?' tone of the first paragraph, to the clunky prose of 'At least the ride is loping, and surprisingly well damped. At least the engine is nice. A straight-six hum is so much nicer than a V6', it feels like the writer just couldn't be bothered. Certain sections of the article make no sense whatsoever, it reads as though the ‘lurch when chucked into the first corner’ counters the ‘tight foot space’ in the rear; really? Lastly, if the Epica really is ‘not a good car by any stretch of the imagination’, why did it get at least a 3/5 rating for everything other than performance?

15 May 2008 17:25

mini1

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mini1 says

RE: Chevrolet Epica 2.0D LS driven

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

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comment8 says

RE: Chevrolet Epica 2.0D LS driven

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

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