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COOL LOGIC
Chevrolet's latest Matiz offers sense and spirit wrapped up in one compact citycar package. By Andy Enright
Ten Second Review
Affordability is the strength of the Chevrolet Matiz. Buying and running one could hardly be less taxing on your wallet but don't expect the last word in performance or high-tech features. The Matiz is a no nonsense citycar that's well-suited to its role but is best when not asked to do too much more.
Background
Although the Chevrolet name may still take a little getting used to, the Matiz badge is one that British motorists are very familiar with. In a comparatively short space of time, the Matiz has come a long way. Remember how it was originally imported without a dealer network? Manufacturer Daewoo initially began selling them through Halfords stores alongside Magic Trees and chamois leathers. The Korean company experienced some financial difficulties in the intervening years but the popularity of the Matiz was never in question. Since being bought by General Motors and rebranded as Chevrolet, a whole new era of professionalism has been ushered in, both in terms of marketing and product development.
Chevrolet have forged a reputation in the US for bringing quality cars to market at affordable prices, so it's not such a great stretch to apply those brand values here in the UK. The problem is that demand for genuine 'econobasic' city cars as represented by the original Matiz has largely dried up. Partly it has to do with European safety legislation that decrees that cars generally need to be bigger and safer than before and a customer push for big car features in city tots which has made citycars ever more sophisticated. That's where Chevrolet's latest Matiz may well score.
Driving Experience
There are two engine choices with the Chevrolet Matiz: the small one and the very small one. Of course, in the current environmentally-conscious climate, that's exactly what most buyers want. The 0.8-litre entry-level option lays a strong claim on being the slowest accelerating car on the market with a 21s 0-60mph time. Eventually, it will reach an 84mph top speed but you' may have lost interest by then. The 1.0-litre engine isn't going to make the Matiz the most effortless motorway cruiser either, but in its urban environment, it'll fit the bill very nicely. The unit will reach over 97mph, its 64bhp maximum power output being reached at 5,400rpm. Sixty from rest is 14.1s away, so it's averagely quick for a car in this class.
Which brings us on to comfort. You don't expect a citycar to cosset you like a luxury saloon but you do expect at least to be able to have a conversation with your passengers at motorway cruising speeds and not to make everyone feel sick when you're running late over twisting secondary roads. The latest Matiz can now deliver in both these areas thanks to improved noise insulation and a new torsion beam rear axle.
Design and Build
The small on the outside but big on the inside ethos is what drives many automotive design decisions these days and Chevrolet has done a very good job with the Matiz in this particular respect. Seating four adults in comfort with excellent all round visibility was the starting point. Every other styling direction was subservient to that requirement, so unlike many other cars where the occupants are forced to conform to the car, Chevrolet have set out with the philosophy that comfort and ease of entry are priorities. At 3.5 metres long and 1.5 metres wide, the Matiz will fit easily into tighter parking spaces and will result in no grey hairs when negotiating urban width restrictions. It's also 1.5 metres high, so even if you plan on cultivating a luxuriant bouffant, there should be few problems with headroom.
The fascia is adventurously styled with centrally mounted instruments sitting atop the plane of the dashboard and key indicators residing close to the driver's line of sight. Body coloured detailing is a key theme, as is metallic brightwork on many surfaces. The days of cheap black and grey plastics have long gone, marking the company's confidence in product development. This development mirrors the way Japanese consumer product design developed in the Seventies. In order to be taken seriously, Japanese companies first aped the sober black and brushed metallic finishes of Western hi-fi manufacturers. It was only when they established themselves as a force in their own right that the Japanese let their imaginations run riot. This seems to be just the stage where Chevrolet's Korean manufacturing and design facility are at, with a new boldness and confidence about their work.
Market and Model
The small engines and advanced manufacturing processes keep the sticker prices low on the Chevrolet Matiz , starting with the 0.8-litre S. Plus there are a number of features that will appeal to those looking for something other than a bog-standard tin box. All models get power steering, a CD stereo, electric front windows, twin front airbags and 60/40 split rear steats. If you want more, you can climb the trim level hierarchy to the SE or the SE+, which is only offered with the 1.0-litre engine.
Cost of Ownership
Whichever Matiz version you go for, low servicing prices and insurance premiums plus good fuel economy all combine to create very attractive ownership costs. The 0.8-litre model returns 56.5mpg and you can expect 50mpg from the 1.0-litre model, all of which helps make the Matiz one of the UK's cheapest cars to run. Insurance groups range between 1 and 3.
Previously, the 0.8-litre Matiz returned emissions of 127g/km, not particularly good for a citycar with an engine smaller than 1.0-litre in size. Recently however, Chevrolet's designers have managed to cut that figure by 8g/km - which makes an awful lot of difference in the UK, meaning that the car now falls into the Band B road tax classification. This means a Matiz buyer will pay just £35 a year at current rates to tax their car, compared to £115 for the previous Matiz 0.8S.
What's more, should you ever venture into the centre of London (or any of the other cities shortly to feature congestion charging), then you won't have to find the usual charging fee, given the 100 per cent discount available to all vehicles with CO2 emissions of below 120g/km (subject in London's case to a £10 registration fee).
Summary
Although the nature of the Matiz's target market has subtly changed, there's little evidence to suggest that Chevrolet can't keep the winning formula going. Balancing the cutesy appeal of the old car with more sophisticated customer demand hasn't been easy but the latest Matiz looks to have walked that tightrope with some eİlan.
Overall then, a car which should continue to maintain Chevrolet's 10% share of the citycar segment. More importantly, with so many buyers of the original Matiz having been women, this car will continue to appeal to a female audience becoming more demanding by the day. Most good 'A sector' models are these days good enough to make you question the need for something supermini-sized. This one adds a dash of spirit into the equation too - which might be enough to make the difference, not only for traditional Matiz customers but for a whole host of new ones.