For a car maker to succeed in the highly competitive MPV segment it has to offer either really attractive styling or a price point that can't be ignored. With the Orlando, Chevrolet has gone for the latter. So don't expect this seven-seat compact people mover to set the motoring alight with its design cues. It is far from offensive to the eye yet it is not in the same league as the flamboyant Peugeot 5008, nor offers the attention to detail of the SEAT Alhambra - two cars it will be competing directly against.
The 2-3-2 seating configuration, standard for this type of car, is wrapped-up in an innocuous-looking metal box with a wheel at each corner. And despite the interior having one or two clever storage spaces it isn't the most pleasant of places to be sat for too long. That's especially true of row three, which is a dark and cramped space and best saved for small children - or those who don't suffer from claustrophobia.
There's a fine line between cost cutting and bringing a car to market to achieve a certain price point. By filling the cabin with cheap materials Chevrolet has fallen foul of being penny wise, pound foolish, and the overall effect makes it all a bit too low-rent. On the plus side, headroom is good and the rear bench seats do fold flat completely - or split 60/40 - to turn the Orlando into a useful load-lugger.
Is it any good?
The Orlando's suspension more than compensates for the car's lack of aesthetics by delivering a sharp drive and well composed ride, though the steering could be a little more weighted. There are two engines on offer: the entry-level 1.8-litre is the sole petrol and despite the weight it is asked to carry feels eager to please, reaching 62mph from rest in 11.2 seconds and a top speed of 114mph with CO2 emissions of 172g/km.
On the diesel front is a 2.0-litre engine with a choice of 128- or 161bhp outputs. The higher-powered unit offers the best prospect for anyone likely to have all seven seats filled the majority of the time with greater pulling power and a 0-62mph time of 9.7 seconds. It is frugal too, averaging 47.1mpg and 159g/km of CO2 emissions. The manual gearbox - six-speed on the diesel, five-speed on the petrol - is not as slick as it could be. There is the option to order the 161bhp diesel engine with a six-speed auto and this proved to be the best overall engine/gearbox combo - although it does send the price skyward.
Should I call the bank manager?
Since it won't arrive here until the spring of 2011, Chevrolet has priced it accordingly to include the January hike in VAT. There are three trim levels available. Starting off with the more-than-adequately equipped 1.8 LS at £16,396 it then rises to the LT trim before topping-out at £21,105 for the 2.0-litre 161bhp LTZ. Six airbags, ESC stability control, air conditioning and remote central locking are just some of the standard fitments included across the range.
Summary
This is the perfect MPV - if appearances take second place to price. Without doubt it represents extremely good value for money, it handles more like a conventional hatchback than the seven-seat MPV it is, and is well bolted together, too.
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