Orlando. A name that conjures up images of sunny Florida beaches packed with young people, and theme parks such as Disney World and Sea World.
It certainly isn't a name that one would associate with a bread-and-butter people carrier, but that's the name that Chevrolet has bestowed upon its new MPV offering.
Maybe it isn't that far-fetched after all. Perhaps Chevy wants people to imagine travelling in the Orlando, family in tow, all the way to sunny Florida. The quintessential American road trip maybe.
Yet bizarrely, the Orlando won't be offered for sale in the US, but will be available in the rest of the world. Strange marketing strategy that, considering how popular these people carriers are in the States.
Nevertheless, the Orlando has made its way to Singapore, and we find out how it fares in a tropical environment of a different kind.
Exterior
Design is a subjective thing, especially for a functional product like an MPV. It is very hard to strike a balance between purposeful practicality and striking style when it comes to designing people carriers.
It certainly isn't a name that one would associate with a bread-and-butter people carrier, but that's the name that Chevrolet has bestowed upon its new MPV offering.
Maybe it isn't that far-fetched after all. Perhaps Chevy wants people to imagine travelling in the Orlando, family in tow, all the way to sunny Florida. The quintessential American road trip maybe.
Yet bizarrely, the Orlando won't be offered for sale in the US, but will be available in the rest of the world. Strange marketing strategy that, considering how popular these people carriers are in the States.
Nevertheless, the Orlando has made its way to Singapore, and we find out how it fares in a tropical environment of a different kind.
Exterior
Design is a subjective thing, especially for a functional product like an MPV. It is very hard to strike a balance between purposeful practicality and striking style when it comes to designing people carriers.
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The Orlando leans slightly towards the former, with its chunky shape probably coming across as a touch conservative. It is unlikely to offend, but neither does it excite.
The trademark Chevy grille, seen on recent products such as the Cruze, Spark, Aveo and Captiva, makes an imposing appearance on the Orlando, while the high waist line leads to a rather masculine-looking rear end. Some may even liken the rising window line to a BMW, although the comparison might be a bit of a stretch.
One thing you can't deny is that the Orlando is fairly sizable, measuring in at 4,652mm long and 1,836mm wide. While it doesn't feel that big from the inside, thanks to its expansive glasshouse, it does pose a bit of a problem when manoeuvring through tight car parks.
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Interior
If the Orlando wants to make an impact on the MPV market, the interior has to be up to the mark against its rivals, in terms of all-round versatility and ease of usability.
And Chevrolet will be glad to know that the Orlando excels in this particular aspect, which will definitely score points with buyers looking for a car in this segment.
Starting with the front, one is immediately greeted with a dashboard that comes across as quite classy, not just for a Chevrolet, but for an MPV. The glossy black trim goes along well with the chrome trimmings, while cool ambient lighting lends an individual touch to the Orlando's interior.
The angled centre console splits the dashboard into two, cocooning both the driver and the front passenger in individual 'cockpits', and a special party trick is the radio controls, which also doubles as a lid for a hidden storage compartment, complete with USB sockets for your iPods. Very novel.
If the Orlando wants to make an impact on the MPV market, the interior has to be up to the mark against its rivals, in terms of all-round versatility and ease of usability.
And Chevrolet will be glad to know that the Orlando excels in this particular aspect, which will definitely score points with buyers looking for a car in this segment.
Starting with the front, one is immediately greeted with a dashboard that comes across as quite classy, not just for a Chevrolet, but for an MPV. The glossy black trim goes along well with the chrome trimmings, while cool ambient lighting lends an individual touch to the Orlando's interior.
The angled centre console splits the dashboard into two, cocooning both the driver and the front passenger in individual 'cockpits', and a special party trick is the radio controls, which also doubles as a lid for a hidden storage compartment, complete with USB sockets for your iPods. Very novel.
The test car's higher-spec LT model features equipment such as a sunroof, cruise control, a multi-function steering wheel and rain-sensing wipers, which, in addition to the base LS model's standard features such as the NavTrak navigation and infotainment system and a reverse camera, makes the Orlando a very well-equipped vehicle for its price.
Moving towards the rest of the cabin, where most of the Orlando's occupants will spend their time, passengers are treated to lush leather upholstery and rear air con vents. The Orlando's 2,760mm wheelbase means that legroom won't be a problem for most Asians in the second and third row, which are also slightly elevated to provide a nice view out.
The seats themselves can be folded down easily with the minimum of effort, and once down, the Orlando provides a load capacity of 856 litres, which is useful, as the boot is virtually non-existent with all the seats up.
Build quality throughout the Orlando is sound, with the materials used giving the car's cabin a solid feel.
Moving towards the rest of the cabin, where most of the Orlando's occupants will spend their time, passengers are treated to lush leather upholstery and rear air con vents. The Orlando's 2,760mm wheelbase means that legroom won't be a problem for most Asians in the second and third row, which are also slightly elevated to provide a nice view out.
The seats themselves can be folded down easily with the minimum of effort, and once down, the Orlando provides a load capacity of 856 litres, which is useful, as the boot is virtually non-existent with all the seats up.
Build quality throughout the Orlando is sound, with the materials used giving the car's cabin a solid feel.
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The Drive
Locally, the Orlando is fitted with a 1.8-litre ECOTEC engine that knocks out 141bhp. While the engine itself is smooth in its operation, it is clear that it is somewhat inadequate when moving a vehicle of the Orlando's size. The four-cylinder inline DOHC powerplant needs to be worked in order to make strong progress, but most MPV drivers won't be doing that anyway.
On Singapore's generally smooth roads, the Orlando rides well enough to provide a comforting journey, but it does come a bit unstuck on rougher bumps, as the suspension is a tad stiff for an MPV. But it's not a major worry over long road trips though.
Like all cars of a slightly elevated nature, the Orlando has some noticeable body roll when chucked into corners, but it's surprisingly competent when compared to most of its rivals, handling gamely where others would have given in to understeer.
The steering feels light and precise, although a bit numb and lacking in feedback, but overall, the Orlando provides for a driving experience that will elicit hardly any complaints.
Locally, the Orlando is fitted with a 1.8-litre ECOTEC engine that knocks out 141bhp. While the engine itself is smooth in its operation, it is clear that it is somewhat inadequate when moving a vehicle of the Orlando's size. The four-cylinder inline DOHC powerplant needs to be worked in order to make strong progress, but most MPV drivers won't be doing that anyway.
On Singapore's generally smooth roads, the Orlando rides well enough to provide a comforting journey, but it does come a bit unstuck on rougher bumps, as the suspension is a tad stiff for an MPV. But it's not a major worry over long road trips though.
Like all cars of a slightly elevated nature, the Orlando has some noticeable body roll when chucked into corners, but it's surprisingly competent when compared to most of its rivals, handling gamely where others would have given in to understeer.
The steering feels light and precise, although a bit numb and lacking in feedback, but overall, the Orlando provides for a driving experience that will elicit hardly any complaints.
Conclusion
As an MPV, the Orlando makes a compelling case as a choice for local consumers. It fulfils the checklist of most MPV buyers, and short of a more powerful engine and more controlled ride over very rough surfaces, it does very little things wrong.
But perhaps its biggest trump card has to be its price vis-à-vis its level of equipment. As of 12 October 2011, the top-spec Orlando LT retails for $129,999 with COE. This undercuts nearly all of its direct competitors, with perhaps only Citroen's C4 Grand Picasso coming close in terms of relative size and price tag.
Orlando sounds like a very attractive destination indeed…
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
As an MPV, the Orlando makes a compelling case as a choice for local consumers. It fulfils the checklist of most MPV buyers, and short of a more powerful engine and more controlled ride over very rough surfaces, it does very little things wrong.
But perhaps its biggest trump card has to be its price vis-à-vis its level of equipment. As of 12 October 2011, the top-spec Orlando LT retails for $129,999 with COE. This undercuts nearly all of its direct competitors, with perhaps only Citroen's C4 Grand Picasso coming close in terms of relative size and price tag.
Orlando sounds like a very attractive destination indeed…
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
