Daewoo Lacetti 1.6 SX
When the Daewoo brand launched in the UK nine years ago, it was a success because the cars were easy to buy and run, thanks to a no-nonsense purchase package. The models themselves were outdated and lacklustre, but for some buyers this didn't matter as much as having hassle-free maintenance.
If you can get past the Daewoo brand image, the Lacetti will make for a stylish addition to your driveway. Besides the coarse engine, it acquits itself well on the road and provides comfortable transport. It also represents excellent value for money compared to mainstream rivals.
When the Daewoo brand launched in the UK nine years ago, it was a success because the cars were easy to buy and run, thanks to a no-nonsense purchase package. The models themselves were outdated and lacklustre, but for some buyers this didn't matter as much as having hassle-free maintenance.
Now rivals have caught up and even surpassed Daewoo's level of customer care, it has to find another selling point to attract the punters - so the firm has started making better cars. The Lacetti needs to be a bit special as it is going straight into the most competitive sector of the market, up against the likes of the best-selling Ford Focus.
On sale now priced £10,495, the Lacetti actually looks smarter than far more expensive cars, due to its styling being entrusted to Italian design house Giugiaro. The exterior is reminiscent of the latest VW Golf or Vauxhall Astra, while the interior is both attractive and thankfully free of cheap, flimsy plastic.
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Cash £14,785The 1.6-litre SX we drove offered a generous tally of standard equipment. Four airbags, 15-inch alloy wheels, remote locking, powered and heated wing mirrors, air-con and steering wheel-mounted radio controls are all fitted.
Even the entry-level 1.4-litre model is well specified, and includes central locking and ABS. For an extra £295 you can also upgrade the stereo to a DAB digital system, offering more stations and far better quality.
From the back seat, it's obvious why Daewoo makes such a fuss about the car being based on the slightly larger Nubira. Because the Lacetti is one of the longest models in class, there's lots of room for passengers and luggage.
Once underway, the 1.6-litre engine, mated to a five-speed gearbox, offers swift enough performance, but as peak torque of 150Nm is at 4,000rpm, the powerplant has to be worked hard.
The driving experience is adequate, though. While it doesn't excel in any area, the Lacetti steers, brakes and turns into corners better than some rivals, although still not quite as well as the class leaders. Our only concern is that the ride may be too firm for some.
The Lacetti is not without fault, though. While the 108bhp engine was competent on our cross-country route, it still sounded coarse under acceler-ation and marred the otherwise fine refinement. It isn't the cleanest unit in class, either, putting out 178g/km of CO2. Another gripe is the choice of colour - unless you like white, you'll have to pay an extra £249 for one of the six other shades! Still, the price, plus three years' free servicing, should make the Daewoo as easy to own as ever - and it's not a bad car, either.
