Item: Used Chevrolet Lacetti Hatchback 2005 - 2011
Author: Steve Huntingford

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Picture a Chevrolet and chances are something huge and all-American springs to mind. However, in reality, the cars sold on these shores were all a sensible size, aimed at budget-conscious buyers.

The early cars, for example, started life as Daewoos but were rebranded after Chevrolet’s owner, General Motors, bought the ailing South Korean firm’s car division. Meanwhile, later models were based on Vauxhalls.

Chevrolet withdrew from Europe in 2015 after struggling to make an impact, but used examples do at least have the virtue of being incredibly cheap.

CHEVROLET

LACETTI

The Chevrolet Lacetti is an affordable small family car, but it's definitely not for the driving enthusiast.

Used Chevrolet Lacetti Hatchback 2005 - 2011

One of the Lacetti's strongest points is value for money, which is bolstered by a generous three-year servicing, warranty and recovery package from new.

Insurance won't be a big worry, even if the Lacetti ranks a group or two higher than Ford's Focus. You'll fare respectably at the pumps, too; claimed fuel economy is in the high 30s for most of the range, with the automatic recording around 5mpg less.

As an example, a typical 1.6 SX is slightly cheaper per mile to run than a more expensive Focus 1.6 LX or similarly priced Kia Cerato LX, but servicing costs – when you do finally have to pay them – can be around 30% more expensive than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/ford">Ford</a>'s. They're still cheaper than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/kia">Kia</a>'s, however.

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The Chevrolet Lacetti is an affordable small family car, but it's definitely not for the driving enthusiast.

With no diesel available, it's a choice between three petrol engines – a 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 – each bringing a particular trim level.

The 1.6-litre SX five-door hatchback has everything you need, including air-con, alloy wheels and electric windows all round. It's our favourite model in the range and, like all Lacettis, it comes with power steering, central locking and a CD player.

There's also a 1.8 in Sport trim, with traction control and a sporting bodykit, but it doesn't feel that much quicker than the 1.6 in real life. And, while the 1.4 (which comes in basic SE trim) is an acceptable engine, it lacks the urge of the 1.6. Don't bother with the automatic gearbox.

You'll find plenty of Lacettis in the Chevrolet dealer network and the small ads.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;

Family

As with any used car, the Chevrolet Lacetti hatchback requires a keen going over.

From the top down, check the bodywork for damage and look for misaligned body panels, which may indicate a crash repair. Look at the exhaust for signs of excessive rusting, and at the alloy wheels for damage.

Inside, check that the seats are still adjustable and reasonably supportive, and the locks and the various switches all behave as expected.

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Born in 2004 as a Daewoo and rebranded in 2005, the Chevrolet Lacetti is a mid-sized family car that's slightly smaller than a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Ford Focus</a>. It's cheap to buy and has a splash of style, having been designed by the Italian studio Italdesign.

This hatchback and its saloon brother were available from Day One (when it was still a Daewoo), and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/estate">estate</a> was introduced when General Motors rebranded the range as Chevrolet.

Like all Lacettis, the hatch is reasonably practical, with generous rear leg room and a large boot, with split/fold rear seats.

The interior design is straightforward, with a good, widely adjustable driving position and plenty of stowage.

On the road, the Chevrolet Lacetti is reasonably comfortable, but it doesn't like being hustled through corners.

On top of that, the steering lacks feedback, the gearbox is far from slick and refinement is disappointing, with plenty of engine and wind noise entering the cabin.

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Used Chevrolet Lacetti Hatchback 2005 - 2011 review

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