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Chevrolet Tacuma (2000-2009) Oct 2000 Class: People carriers/MPVs New price: - Used price: From £995 On sale:
Performance:
Ride comfort:
handling:
★★
★★★
★★★★
Boot & Storage:
Safety:
★★★★
★
Reliability:
-
Total score:
55%
Removable rear seats and spacious interior. Well laid-out controls, and easy to drive. Now cheap as a secondhand purchase. Poor levels of safety equipment. Far from the sharpest car to drive. High depreciation (loss in value).
Recommended models in the range
Which? Car Top Choice Model 2.0 CDX 5dr New price: Used price: £2,950
Fastest Model 2.0 CDX Plus 5dr New price: Used price: £3,150
10.3 secs
0-62mph:
Most Efficient Model 1.6 SX Vision 5dr New price: Used price: £3,095 Combined fuel economy:
35.3 mpg
Cheapest Model to buy new New price:
Overview The Chevrolet Tacuma is a five-seat compact MPV which came with 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0-litre petrol engines. It’s reasonably accomplished on the road, its handling is steady if a little uninspiring, and it has a sturdy, practical feel inside and out. However, its poor levels of safety kit are a bit off-putting. The Chevrolet Tacuma was launched as a Daewoo in 2000, and mildly updated when it was rebadged as a Chevrolet in January 2005. It handles well enough, but some versions feel distinctly under-equipped and it also lacks the latest safety features such as stability control. The suspension copes with most rough surfaces but there’s quite a lot of unsettling body roll while cornering. The steering has plenty of positive feedback and although gear changes are generally smooth, rushing into reverse is almost certain to crunch the gears. With all five seats in place, the luggage capacity is on the smallish side, but removing the seats turns the Tacuma into a useful load lugger. We don’t have enough feedback from Tacuma owners in our latest Which? Car survey to form a view about its reliability, but Chevrolet’s overall brand score is average.
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Cheapest Model to buy used 1.6 SE 5dr Used price:
£995
Cheapest Model to Run (new) New price: Running costs: (3 years/36,000 miles)
Owner’s View It’s been a brilliant family car, roomy and comfortable.
Which? Car review
Chevrolet Tacuma (2000-2009) People carriers/MPVs
On the road
How we test
The Tacuma’s handling offers few surprises – it holds its line well and allows drivers to get a good feel for the road. This MPV’s small turning circle is very handy for city driving, although there’s a bit too much body roll on bumpy surfaces and it’s noisy at speed.
Performance
★★
The 2.0-litre petrol engine is smooth and civilised. The gear ratios are well matched, except at low revs. The gear change is very smooth and it’s easy to find all five forward gears, but there’s a noticeable crunch if you rush into reverse. The 1.6 petrol lacks flexibility and needs constant gear changes to maintain momentum and forward progress. Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Ride comfort
Acceleration (37-62mph) 14.8 secs 6.9 secs
Rating
★ ★★★
We use the sophisticated electronic timing equipment to record standing-start and in-gear acceleration, and repeat each test several times. Ride comfort
★★★
The suspension easily absorbs both major and minor bumps, but there’s a tendency for the body to roll on rough surfaces. Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Performance
Rating
★★★ ★★★
Ride comfort is assessed by our laboratory experts who have driven hundreds of thousands of miles in a myriad of different models.
Which? Car review
Chevrolet Tacuma (2000-2009) People carriers/MPVs
On the road continued...
How we test Handling
★★★★
Handling
The accurate steering system gives good, positive feedback for all road conditions. The car holds the road well and it has a particularly small turning circle at 11m, but the harsh selfcentring movement of the steering wheel while cornering might catch you out if you’re not careful. Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Rating
★★★★ ★★★★
On-the-limit handling is explored well away from public roads to ensure a fair test. Our obstacle avoidance test is one of the harshest tests in the industry.. Brakes
★★★
Brakes
Despite the brakes showing a distinct lack of sensitivity, their performance is adequate. The ABS ensures you can retain directional control when pulling off an emergency stop. Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Braking distance (62-0mph) 44.7m 43.8m
Rating
★★★ ★★★
★★★
Refinement and noise
Cabin noise is relatively low in town, but as you step up through the gears on the motorway the drone of the engine becomes increasingly intrusive, and tiresome on a long journey. Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Cruising noise 71dB 71dB
The Which? Car braking test measures stopping distance from 62-0mph and is repeated ten times in quick succession to highlight any brake fade issues. Refinement and noise
Rating
★★★ ★★★★ The Which? Car experts use a decibel meter to record interior sound levels at common UK motorway speeds, and combine this with subjective assessments to arrive at an overall score.
Which? Car review
Chevrolet Tacuma (2000-2009) People carriers/MPVs
On the road continued...
How we test Cabin and controls
★★★★
Cabin and controls
The controls are easy to use and find; important switches are backlit and located next to the steering wheel. If the front wipers are switched on, the rear wipers automatically start working when you select reverse gear. The instruments and dials are large and clearly visible. Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Rating
★★★★ ★★★★
★★★
Visibility and parking
We penalise cars with difficult controls, and we look for things like backlit light switches and easy-to-use heating and ventilation adjustments. Visibility and parking
The driver has an elevated driving position and the all-round views of the road are acceptable. The heated side mirrors are large, but the long sloping bonnet and the length of the Tacuma make the front and rear hard to judge. Large rear pillars and the position of the non-retractable headrests compound this problem when parking. Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Turning circle 10.9m 10.9m
Rating
★★★ ★★★
Visibility is a major issue for motorists today, so each car gets a 360-degree swivel view test to reproduce the driver’s eye view and any obscured areas.
Which? Car review
Chevrolet Tacuma (2000-2009) People carriers/MPVs
Comfort and practicality
How we test
There’s plenty of space in the Tacuma, both in the front and back. The boot is on the smallish side for an MPV, but the seats fold down easily and come out completely to accommodate larger loads. The cabin is overwhelmingly practical rather than stylish, with never-ending swathes of grey plastic.
Getting in and out
★★★★
The height of the body and the large front doors provide good access to the front. Getting into the rear is quite easy, although getting out is a little more difficult, especially if you’re facing uphill as the doors tend to swing shut by themselves. Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Seat space and comfort
Rating
★★★★ ★★★★
We take measurements all around the driver and passenger’s door apertures and note the height of the seat, door sills and step down onto the car floor. The best cars don’t require too much bending or stretching to get in and out. Seat space and comfort
★★★★
The front is very spacious, with generous kneeroom and headroom. The front seats are at a good height, but don’t provide enough lateral support while cornering. The rear seats will accommodate three large passengers but are positioned low, which means many will have to sit with legs uncomfortably bent. Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Getting in and out
Rating
★★★★ ★★★★
We assess seat comfort subjectively, using our road testers’ expert knowledge and experience from thousands of different cars. And we measure the head-, legand elbowroom on offer in every seat, to see how well the car caters for people of all shapes and sizes.
Which? Car review
Chevrolet Tacuma (2000-2009) People carriers/MPVs
Comfort and practicality continued...
How we test Boot and storage
★★★★
Boot and storage
The 325-litre boot is just about acceptable for a compact MPV, but removing the rear seats (beware: they’re heavy) boosts space to 1320 litres. The low loading lip and small depth of the cavity makes filling the boot simple. Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Heating and ventilation
Boot space (seats up/down) 362 litres / 775 litres 350 litres / 740 litres
Rating
★★★★ ★★★★
★★★
Entry-level models lacked air conditioning, but this was available higher up the range, and topspec CDX versions came with a more sophisticated climate control system. Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Rating
Carmakers give official stats for boot space, but our tests are more realistic. We load the boot up with measuring blocks only as far as the rear window line, so that luggage is well secured and won’t obscure rear visibility. We repeat the test with the rear seats up, and folded down (where possible). Heating and ventilation
★★★ ★★★★
Feel sorry for the tester who has to warm each car up from a frosty -10 degrees in our climate chamber. Starting with a cold engine, we measure how long it takes to warm up the front and rear of the cabin. Diesel cars usually take longer. We also check the effectiveness of air conditioning, where fitted.
Which? Car review
Chevrolet Tacuma (2000-2009) People carriers/MPVs
Running costs and depreciation
How we test
The Tacuma was cheap to buy new, and its depreciation was steep, so it’s a very affordable secondhand purchase. However, insurance is relatively high for this class (groups 8-10), fuel economy is poor and servicing is more expensive than you’d expect from a budget brand.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption Fuel economy is pretty miserable from the 2.0-litre manual; we achieved only 28mpg (Chevrolet claims 31.4mpg). The 1.6 is better, doing a claimed 35.3mpg, though we got just 32.1mpg.
Petrol (combined mpg, claimed)
26.2 mpg - 35.3 mpg
Diesel (combined mpg, claimed)
-
Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Urban (claimed/tested) 25.7 mpg/32.1 mpg 23.5 mpg/23.5 mpg
Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Extra urban (claimed/tested) 42.2 mpg/32.1 mpg 39.2 mpg/39.2 mpg
Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Motorway (measured) 32.1 mpg 23.3 mpg
Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Combined (claimed/tested) 34.0 mpg/6.3 mpg 31.4 mpg/28.0 mpg
We test fuel economy under strict lab conditions – using realistic test cycles – to reveal the facts behind the figures. Our figures rarely match manufacturer claims as, unlike the official mpg test, we measure economy with both a hot and cold engine, and on the motorway.
Which? Car review
Chevrolet Tacuma (2000-2009) People carriers/MPVs
Running costs and depreciation continued...
How we test Emissions
Emissions Carbon dioxide emissions are high for the class, from 191g/km to a hefty 234g/km, and tax bandings are thus suitably punitive.
Petrol (CO2, claimed)
191g per km - 265g per km
Diesel (CO2, claimed)
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Model tested petrol 1.6 (104bhp) manual 5-dr (2005) petrol 2.0 (119bhp) manual 5-dr (2000)
Emissions (claimed/tested) 208g per km/203g per km 236g per km/224g per km
While testing fuel economy, we also collect exhaust gases to enable us to measure the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted. We also check whether particulate filters are effective at removing sooty emissions from diesel engines. Safety
Safety and security Euro NCAP score No results available.
Which? safety rating Active (crash avoidance) Passive (crash safety) Child Pedestrian
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We rate cars for safety using Euro NCAP crash test scores (where available), alongside our own comprehensive safety checklist. Uniquely, we also feed in results from our accident avoidance test – after all, it’s far better to steer around a crash than rely on the airbags... Security
Security An alarm and immobiliser were fitted, and the Tacuma scored reasonably well, if not outstandingly, in our security tests for ‘theft of’, though not so well for ‘theft from’ (protection against break-ins). Theft of car:
Theft from car:
★★★★
★★
Security scores come from the security experts at Thatcham, who break into hundreds of cars each year. Most modern cars are very difficult to drive away, but are still too easy to steal from.
Which? Car review
Chevrolet Tacuma (2000-2009) People carriers/MPVs
Which? Car Survey results
About our survey
The Which? Car Survey is the UK’s biggest and best reliability and owner satisfaction survey. In 2013, drivers told us about 57,182 cars, covering more than 450 million miles in the previous 12 months (that’s equivalent to driving 18,398 times around the world). This unique feedback allows us to rate satisfaction and reliability for hundreds of new and used cars. Note Star ratings below are from 1-5 (1 is very poor and 5 is very good). Percentages shown under ‘Most common faults’ indicate the proportion of owners reporting each problem in the past 12 months.
Brand
Sample size: 106 people
Chevrolet ratings Overall owner satisfaction for this brand Brand reliability
69%
Dealer Servicing & repair
Model: Chevrolet Tacuma (2000-2009)Sample size:
- people
Ownership ratings Overall owner satisfaction for this range
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Everyone who takes part in the Which? Car survey tells us about their car and the dealers who sell and service it. We analyse this feedback across all cars to give top-level satisfaction ratings for each brand, including the brand’s reliability record over the last eight years. All star ratings are out of five. Model ownership ratings
★★ -
Dealer Sales Service
-
Brand ratings
These show how owners score this car in 12 different areas, from performance to heating. Owners’ ratings are subjective – so may differ from Which? Car test scores – but they give a good idea of what the car is like to live with. Where relevant, cars are scored against other cars in the same class (e.g. for space).
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Owner’s View It’s never let me down, it’s spacious and comfortable.
Owner’s View Nice driving position.
Which? Car review
Chevrolet Tacuma (2000-2009) People carriers/MPVs
Which? Car Survey results continued...
About our survey Reliability ratings
Reliability ratings
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Overall Reliability Petrol cars
Reliability
Breakdowns Average annual repair cost Diesel cars
Reliability
Breakdowns Average annual repair cost All cars
Reliability
Breakdowns Average annual repair cost
Up to 3 years old
3-8 years old
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We split reliability into breakdowns (including failure to start), faults (where parts need replacing) and problems (minor issues e.g. squeaks and loose trim). Where the car has been on sale for some time, and we have numerous survey responses from owners, we also split scores by the age of car and fuel type. Star ratings are out of five – the more stars, the more reliable the car. Most common faults
Breakdowns: Percentage of cars suffering a breakdown in last 12 months Average annual repair cost: Average annual cost of repairs (not servicing), in past 12 months
Most common faults
Up to 3 years old
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3-8 years old
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Failure rate: The proportion of owners reporting this problem in the last year
Want to know what’s most likely to go wrong as the car gets older? These are the five most common faults reported by owners, grouped by age into new, recent and older cars. A score of 40% means four out of 10 owners reported problems with that part of the car over the previous 12 months. Engine electrics and non-engine electrics (e.g. windows, stereo) cause more headaches than mechanical parts in most modern cars.
