I RECENTLY managed a drive in the excellent value Chevrolet Epica saloon - a car the size of a Ford Mondeo that comes at a small hatch price.
I was hugely impressed by this big car, which in top LT spec, is powered by the excellent Vauxhall 150bhp 2.0-litre turbo diesel.
It drives really well and would be a very easy car to live with. It's reasonably refined and quiet and hugely comfortable over all surfaces - even at low speeds in town.
At speed on an open road the suspension's softness is always in the background, but despite more than the average amount of roll when cornered fast, it still holds the road very well and seems to grip forever, even in the wet.
The handling is very safe, helped by standard stability control, and the power steering has a fair amount of feel.
There is some turbo delay from lower revs, but even with the many excellent diesels available today only a few have really overcome this problem.
Interior
This is a big car, with plenty of room for a tall passenger to sit behind a tall driver. The boot is huge and despite being a saloon, the rear seats fold for longer items to be carried.
In this top LT spec, you get leather, climate control, cruise, electric front seats, trip computer and rear parking sensors. Now that's what I call value.
FAST FACTS
Chevrolet Epica
Price: £17,300
Mechanical: 148bhp, 1,991cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 124mph
0-62mph: 9.7 seconds
Combined mpg: 46
Insurance group: 9
CO2 emissions: 169g/km
BIK rating: 24%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles
Marks: 9/10
Main rival: Kia Magentis, Ford Mondeo