Skip advert
Advertisement

Daewoo Nubira Station Wagon SX

Is brand name king in the British new car market? Not according to Daewoo! Despite the turmoil which has surrounded the Korean car firm over the past few years, its relaunch as part of the General Motors family is clearly steaming ahead.

It might be neat and spacious, but the Daewoo Nubira Station Wagon faces strong competition from value-priced European models such as the bigger Fiat Stilo estate or smaller Peugeot 206 SW. It needs a more powerful and refined engine - ideally a diesel unit - if it's to be used as a serious load-lugger.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Is brand name king in the British new car market? Not according to Daewoo! Despite the turmoil which has surrounded the Korean car firm over the past few years, its relaunch as part of the General Motors family is clearly steaming ahead.

And here's the next model in its turnaround plans. The Nubira Station Wagon arrives in UK showrooms in December, as the sister car to the Nubira saloon and Lacetti hatchback. It's based on the same compact platform and is designed to match European standards of ride and handling, as well as featuring better levels of crash safety than its predecessors.

The Station Wagon also has a more Continental look than Daewoos of old: the styling is fairly crisp, with clean lines and tight panel gaps. It gets a new grille which is slightly different to that of its siblings, along with fresh lamp clusters in the near-vertical back end. The rear overhang is much larger than the Nubira saloon's, but the model's height takes away any awkwardness the extra metalwork presents.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Range Rover Evoque

2023 Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

34,206 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £25,876
View Range Rover Evoque
3 Series

2022 BMW

3 Series

32,023 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £23,347
View 3 Series
Tiguan

2024 Volkswagen

Tiguan

70,637 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £21,997
View Tiguan
X3

2020 BMW

X3

80,316 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £19,797
View X3

Partly thanks to that overhang, the Wagon benefits from a huge boot, while the back seats fold completely flat to allow an uninterrupted load bay, with little wheelarch intrusion. Comfort for rear passengers is excellent, while in the front the dash is cleanly styled and feels tightly screwed together.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Value - The finish of the plastics is hardly lavish, but as a whole the cabin's air of functional quality makes it feel more upmarket than you'd expect of a budget car. It's practical, too, with 25 separate interior storage cubbies.

British buyers will be offered only one derivative - the SX - but it will be relatively well equipped, in keeping with its maker's reputation for good value. Just a single engine will appear at launch - a 110bhp 1.6-litre unit which has a 16-valve head and a variable-length intake manifold to beef up the torque curve for better pulling power. A four-speed auto box is on the options list, while a 1.8-litre petrol and possibly a diesel motor will appear later.

On the road, it's clear the Wagon has been engineered for the kind of tautness preferred by UK drivers. The chassis has sportier springs and stiffer dampers than in its home market, giving responsive steering and a pleasingly firm ride.

However, our main criticism is reserved for the engine. It is not only noisy under load, but also lacks punch when accelerating. It cruises well on the motorway, yet we reckon it would feel underpowered when fully laden.

Otherwise, though, the most practical interpretation of the Nubira looks like a keenly priced and competent option for those seeking a well made and sensible estate car.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,406 off RRP*Used from £11,595
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £7,778 off RRP*Used from £11,890
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,297 off RRP*
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £2,607 off RRP*Used from £16,850
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k
Geely EX5 - front

New Geely EX5 SUV to arrive in October, starting at £32k

This new electric SUV is coming soon to the UK from Volvo and Lotus parent company, Geely
News
15 Sep 2025
Nissan Qashqai to finally go electric, but hybrid model will remain
Nissan Qashqai electric render Avarvarii - front 3/4

Nissan Qashqai to finally go electric, but hybrid model will remain

There will be an overlap of powertrains for the big-selling SUV
News
15 Sep 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month
Polestar 4 - cornering, low shot

Car Deal of the Day: Savour the Scandi cool of a Polestar 4 at only £334 a month

Fancy something smart and sophisticated? You won’t look back with the Polestar 4. It’s our Deal of the Day for September 13
News
13 Sep 2025