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Chevrolet Orlando 2011 road test

Chevrolet is launching itself into the hotly contested mid-sized MPV market with the Orlando. It majors on simplicity and value, coming with Chevy’s five-year warranty, but the cabin is not as flexible as some rivals. While the Orlando is well priced and equipped, it’s not as good as some of the competition to drive.

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Performance

The simple approach the Orlando is reflected in the engine line-up. There’s a single petrol choice in the shape of a 139bhp 1.8-litre unit, but it’s best avoided as it feels too short on puff in a seven-seat MPV and has a five-speed manual gearbox where the diesels have six-speeders. Even with just the driver on board, the 1.8 petrol falls short on the power front and 0-62mph in 11.2 seconds is nothing to write home about when both diesel options easily outgun it. Which brings us to the diesels, both 2.0-litres and in 128- and 161bhp forms. The more powerful 161bhp turbodiesel offers 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds as a six-speed manual or 10.6 seconds with the six-speed auto ’box. It may be quicker, but we’d sidestep the 161bhp diesel and head for the 128bhp version. It’s not offered with the automatic, which is no hardship as this gearbox makes smooth progress at town speeds hard work due to its snatchiness, but still offers 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds. The less powerful diesel has plenty of low- and mid-range oomph for overtaking, though you do have to wait longer for the turbo to kick in than in some rivals before it gives its best.

Ride & Handling

There’s good news and bad news here. The good is the Orlando has offers excellent body control over all sorts of roads and in all conditions. It’s composed and free of excessive lean, which makes for a tidy handling car. It also has steering with good weight and feel when driving at higher speeds, though it can seem a touch too heavy at parking pace. The bad news is the fine body control is not matched by a supple ride and the Orlando feels unsettled over all but the smoothest roads. More bad news comes from the poor refinement of the 1.8-litre petrol engine that is just too coarse and noisy to be considered anything other than a bad choice. Much better are the diesel engines that, although a little noisy when asked to accelerate hard, are usually happy to stay in the aural background. There’s some wind noise from the Orlando’s large door mirrors, but no more than most MPVs and crossover rivals to the Chevy.

Build Quality & Reliability

Chevrolet has ground to make up when it comes to quality and reliability due to some previous models being below par. The Orlando looks set to do its duty here and improve Chevy’s image as it’s sturdily made and all of the models we’ve driven have been free of rattles and creaks. Some of the interior plastics are not as appealing to look at or touch as in the likes of the Ford C-Max or Renault Scenic, but that doesn’t affect their durability. The engines are proven units from the Chevrolet catalogue, so we don’t see any problems rearing their heads here. Chevrolet also provides a five-year warranty, so the company has confidence in its products and should easily live down the disappointments of the past.

Safety & Security

The Orlando comes very close to a full five-star rating here but we’ve held back from the maximum score as the Chevrolet’s curtain airbags don’t extend the full length of the cabin. In a seven-seat MPV where children are the likely occupants of those third row seats, we think this is a missed opportunity. However, there are twin front and side airbags, as well as those side curtain airbags, and ESP stability and traction control. Security is taken car of by an alarm, immobiliser and deadlocks, while the alloy wheels are secured by locking wheel nuts.

Space & Practicality

Space is something you are not short of in the Chevrolet Orlando, regardless of which row of seats you find yourself sitting in. The driver is treated to a reach and angle adjustable steering wheel and seat height adjustment, so finding a good driving position is simple. The dash is uncluttered and the gear lever is mounted high in the centre console to give a surprisingly snug feel to the front cabin. Space in the middle row of seats is excellent and even the third row manages to offer enough space for two adults to fit in reasonable comfort. It’s a shame the middle row of seats uses a 60/40 split and tip arrangement rather than the more versatile fitment of three individual seats as this restricts the Orlando’s flexibility compared to some rivals’. Still, even with the third row of seats in place there’s some boot space left and with the easily folded seats stored away there’s a massive cargo space for luggage.

Ownership & Value

A five-year warranty will be a big draw for many private buyers looking at the Orlando as a rival to other MPVs. It comes with breakdown cover for the same amount of time, so is a great value package in a car that is already very keenly priced. However, keen pricing and a discount will be needed to offset the inevitable depreciation the Orlando will suffer, which will be steeper than many of its rivals. Fuel economy is good and even the 1.8-litre petrol manages an average of 38.7mpg. Better still are the diesels at 47.1mpg for both the 128- and 161bhp versions with the manual gearbox. The diesels emit 159g/km, or 186g/km with the automatic transmission attached to the more powerful diesel. All Orlandos come with air conditioning and electric front windows, but you have to go from LS to LT to gain alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, climate control, electric rear windows and a USB port for music. Choose the top spec LTZ and you’re treated to larger 17in alloy wheels, cruise control, automatic headlights and wipers, and electrically folding door mirrors.

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