Chevrolet Orlando (2011 – 2015) Review

Chevrolet Orlando (2011 – 2015) At A Glance

Seven seats as standard. Easy and comfortable to drive. Decent value and well equipped. Five year/100,000 mile warranty. Chain-cam diesel engine.

Entry-level 1.8-litre petrol is a bit underwhelming.

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Chevrolet Orlando (2011 – 2015) handling and engines

• Engines range from 1.4 Turbo to 2.0 VCDi 163 Automatic
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 21–48 mpg

Few MPVs are sparkling to drive and the Orlando isn't one of them. But then it's not really supposed to be. Instead it's easy and relaxing from behind the wheel with light controls and fairly positive manual gearchange. It's adequate but not especially memorable. Parking and tight manoeuvres are made easier thanks to the light steering and visibility is generally good, although the rear pillars are a bit thick. Fortunately all models, with the exception of the entry LS version, have rear parking sensors fitted.

It rides well and is fairly softly sprung so it's good over bumps and potholes but the trade off is roll in corners which is especially noticeable with a full complement of passengers plus luggage on board. The ride quality deteriorates markedly on the top spec 18-inch alloys with 235/45 R18 tyres and really undermines comfort for everyone travelling,

There's only one petrol engine available - a 1.8-litre four-cylinder unit with variable valve timing that produces 141bhp and 176Nm of torque. It's not a bad engine but is underwhelming when you compare it to other petrols like Ford's new 1.6-litre EcoBoost unit, although it's at least fairly economical with a claimed average of 39mpg while CO2 emissions are 172g/km.

Chevrolet expects most people will go for a diesel Orlando and it's easy to see why. The 2.0-litre diesel engine is available in two versions - a standard 130bhp model and a higher power 163bhp variant. The more powerful version is the only Orlando available with an automatic gearbox which is a six-speed transmission which delivers smooth if not especially fast changes.

It's a strong and smooth diesel which is fairly quiet on the move too, thanks to decent sound insulation. Like the handling, it's nothing to write home about, but goes about its business in a fuss free and straightforward manner. Both power variants come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and most driver's will find the 130bhp version more than adequate for everyday driving.

It has 315Nm of torque which is available at 2000rpm plus it delivers its power smoothly across the rev range. Our one criticism is that coming off the power seems to make the Orlando slightly jolt as if it's braking, so it's not always a smooth car to drive if you're in traffic. The more powerful verison has the same issue, but both versions are efficient and return a claimed 47mpg while CO2 emissions of 159g/km mean they sit inside the UK company write-down limit for business users.

The 163bhp variant has more torque with 360Nm but rarely feels that much quicker in normal driving, either away from a standstill or when accelerating in-gear, for instance when joining a motorway. But if you want to the top LTZ model this is the only diesel available - the 130bhp version only comes in LS and LT trims.

Chevrolet Orlando (2011 – 2015) interior

• Boot space is 101–1594 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

The interior of the Orlando has been cleverly designed so it does feel like a genuinely useable seven-seater, rather than a five-seat MPV that's simply had two extra seats stuck in where the boot is. The theatre-style seating means that even those in the rearmost seats can see forward although the upswept design of the windows for the third row mean it can feel a little gloomy. However headroom is still good, despite the rising seats.

There's reasonable legroom in the third row for younger children and for adults for short distances plus access is good too thanks to outer seats in the middle row that fold down and flip up, albeit with a mechanism that can take some getting used to. They sort of roll and fold forward but getting to the handle that releases them is very difficult if you're sat in the third row, almost impossible in fact. Another gripe is that with all seven seats in place you have to remove the retractable load cover and there's nowhere for it to live in the car so you have to leave it at home.

Of course the majority of time, most MPV driver's only have five seats in use and the fact that the extra seats fold down flat means changing between the two modes is easy. As you can see in our pictures, folding down all the seats is simple and creates a long and wide load floor while giving almost 1500 litres of carrying space, which is ideal for trips to B&Q or for taking the Christmas Tree for recycling in the new year.

The standard boot space with five seats in place is good and there's only a tiny boot lip, so unloading heavier items is easy. With the rear seats in place the boot is cut to just 89 litres which is okay for a few bags of shopping. There's also undefloor storage beneath a flap just in front of the rear bumper sill and two extra triangular compartments behind either wheel arch.

Elsewhere in the cabin there are a range of compartments of different shapes and sizes situated in the centre console, front and rear doors, rear cargo area and also the roof. One very clever 'secret' space is hidden behind the front fascia of the stereo, but still within easy reach of the both the driver and passenger.You just flip up th face of the stereo and behind it there's a good-sized storage box that's ideal for keeping iPods or wallets out of view. It also houses the a USB port (on LT models and above) - ideal for re-charging an MP3 or iPod on the move. To keep an eye on everyone in the back (and prevent too much misbehaving), there's a rearseat view mirror which is fitted just behind the normal rearview mirror and gives a panoramic view of all the seats.

The overall build quality feels very good and the interior seems well finished, especially on top models which get a neat gloss black trim on the centre console and around the stereo (see the picture above). The entry-level versions aren't quite as snazzy and appear dull in comparison but neverthelessit's still the best interior Chevrolet has produced to date. All the controls are logically laid out and clearly marked. The steering wheel looks good and is nice to hold while the driving position is pretty much spot on for a people carrier - high enough to give a good view out but not so high that you feel like you're sitting on, rather than in it.

Standard equipment from launch (March 2011):

LS is the entry-level trim and has ESC stability control, air conditioning, follow me home headlights, electric windows, electric mirrors, remote central locking, six airbags, three 12v power sockets, tinted windows, adjustable steering wheel, a backseat view mirror plus a hidden cubby behind the stereo fascia.

LT adds 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 tyres, rear parking sensors, a USB port, climate control, a chrome-effect tailgate handle, driver’s armrest, leather steering wheel, front foglights, electric rear windows, and an upgraded sound system with steering wheel controls.

LTZ is the top trim level and gets 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/50 R17 tyres, cruise control, an electro chromatic rear view mirror, automatic headlights and wipers, blue ambient panel lighting, a piano black gloss centre console, electric folding door mirrors, a rear cargo net and chrome effect body detailing.

LTZ with the Executive Pack costs £2000 extra and adds 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 R18 tyres, full leather upholstery, heated front seats and satellite navigation.

Chevrolet Orlando (2011 – 2015) models and specs

On sale until June 2017

On sale until October 2015

On sale until September 2012

On sale until January 2011