FOR THE past eight years or so, Daewoo has had something of a rocky ride.
It was in the spring of 1995 that the South Korean car maker introduced a pair of reworked Vauxhalls into the UK marketplace in the form of the Nexia hatchback and the Espero family saloon.
The company's offbeat marketing system which shunned traditional dealers, didn't help in the race for customers and the cars which opened Daewoo's account, and those which followed, were never going to disturb the sales progress of the big hitters in the motoring world.
However, last November, the Pacific Rim carmaker came under the General Motors umbrella and GM Daewoo is already making a big impact with the new Kalos supermini and looking towards the launch of the new Nubira, which was unveiled last month at the Geneva Motor Show.
Since those early days Daewoo has been making steady progress in improving the quality of its existing models and increasing choice by providing an ever-widening choice. Daewoo joined the midi-MPV brigade at the beginning of last year, introducing the Tacuma to the car-buying public.
The Tacuma comes with two petrol engine options, 1.6-litre and two-litre, plus a trio of trim levels, SE, SX and the range-topping CDX, all featuring quite a generous level of standard kit.
My test car was the 1.6-litre SX which comes with air con, electric windows all round, electric heated door mirrors and radio/cassette player complete with steering wheel-mounted controls - a good in-car safety move.
The lifestyle philosophy is satisfied by a versatile interior, housing seat back tables, picnic table and cupholders in front and rear of the cabin, while the seating is well versed in MPV trickery. The front passenger seat swivels through 180 degrees to include its occupant in the social gathering at picnic time, while the trio of individual pews in the rear will fold, slide and can even be stored in the garage if extra load carrying happens to be your bag on occasions.
A pretty generous load area is fully carpeted and also boasts a luggage compartment net. Daewoo claims a first with the Tacuma featuring a Sony Playstation spec option to help promote parental peace and quiet on the long haul - albeit at a price ... this hi-tec kids' entertainer adds £1,500 to your final invoice!
From a comfortable driving position in a roomy cabin, which majors on improved quality and boasts a much more pleasing look to the dashboard, the Tacuma proved to be the best Daewoo I have driven to date, providing a nicely compliant ride in all parts.
The 1.6-litre, 16-valver is a willing performer, doing the 0-62mph dash in a creditable 11.8 seconds towards a top speed, where legally allowable, of 103 mph. However, push really hard and its efforts can prove a little intrusive, while wind noise does make its presence felt at speed on the motorway.
Although some may find the power steering a little light to the touch, the Tacuma handles tidily enough, and smooths out pock-marked surfaces in pretty pleasing fashion.
While the Daewoo Tacuma may not be the best-looker in the ranks of the midi-MPV brigade, its improved build quality, spaciousness and versatility, coupled with a generous ownership package all contribute to what could be quite an attractive proposition.
FAST FACTS
Daewoo Tacuma 1.6 SX
Price: £11,995
Mechanical: 103 bhp, 1,598cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 103mph
0-62mph: 11.8 secs
Combined mpg: 34
Insurance group: 8
CO2 emissions: 208g/km
BiK Rating: 25%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 6yrs anti-rust; 3yrs free servicing
Words: Malcolm Robertshaw