CHEVROLET EPICA 2.0 VCDi LT 4dr (2008)

Chevrolet Epica - Not bad so far, could be better on petrol costs

I've seen a few Chevrolet cars going cheaper than you'd expect. I don't know if it's some ploy by the Americans to try and flood the UK market, but anyway it doesn't seem to be working if it is because the Epica is still pretty uncommon from what I've seen. I like it that way, not too many around, means I don't look like a sheep driving whatever Vectra everyone else is in.

So the Epica has some downsides beyond the cheap price tag. It's not quite as efficient as I'd like, and that stings a bit when filling up. It wasn't a big concern for me as I don't do too many miles, and the car is mostly for ferrying the kids to school and sports events and so on.

More important for us was space, with all sports kits we lug around - try having three kids who like three different sports! The interior fabrics might look a little bit cheap, but to be honest they've been so teared and muddied by football boots and hockey sticks and god knows what else that it doesn't matter much anymore. The boot behind is a nice big size too, although the hockey stick usually has to come in the car.

A couple of handy features are the automatic sensors on the headlights and the windscreen wipers. Especially the headlights as it means you'll never be pulled over for having them off when pulling away from the petrol forecourt.

Fuel economy is good but not quite the 46mpg it's supposed to get. I would really have liked a Chevrolet Epica with a smaller engine because I really don't need the 2 litres for anything.