When you think of small cars, the Chevrolet Matiz is not among the first to spring to mind, yet it has been around in the UK for more than 10 years. For the first few years, it was marketed as a Daewoo but when that company was taken over by General Motors, the car was re-badged as a Chevrolet.
Its big sales point is its ultra-low price - it starts at just £6,625. And its second plus-point is its excellent fuel economy - it can return a combined figure of more than 50 mpg. For those who want a cheap-to-buy cheap-to-run small car, it neatly fits the bill.
The entry level Matiz is powered by an 800cc engine, which does an adequate job, but my test model was the one-litre SE version, offering a still-modest 65 hp and with extra equipment, costing £7,465.
This model is well-equipped, with twin airbags, anti-lock brakes, electric front windows and door mirrors, a radio/Cd player, power steering a few detail features such as a clock, cup holders and an under-seat storage tray. Air-con is a £400 option.
It's a fair deal for the money but you can't judge a car just by its equipment list. How it drives is a vital factor, and here, the Matiz does just enough to win you over. Top speed is 97 mph, though the 0-60 mph time is a snail-like 14.1 seconds. While waiting for the Matiz to gather speed, you can comfort yourself with the thought that you'll be getting 50.4 mpg, combined.
The visual design is nice enough and might even be described as chic, though the interior is less impressive, looking rather old fashioned and with lots of hard shiny plastic on view. Competitors such as the Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10 look more stylish.
Out and about, you immediately notice the Matiz is rather narrow - rubbing elbows with your passenger will be a regular occurrence. This narrow wheelbase also means you can't corner with the same agility as a Mini, for example. However, the ride quality is good and the general driving dynamics light and easy. The advantage of the slim profile is that you can get into tight parking spaces more easily, a bonus for the city dweller.
Indeed, the Matiz makes most sense as an urban runabout. It copes with four adult passengers, has decent bootspace, and has a pleasant day to day driving feel.
