26 May 04
Early Daewoo cars were cheap in price and in finish, but filled a gap in the market for those motorists who were willing to forgo refinement and driving dynamics for some space and affordable creature comforts. While still firmly in the 'value-for-money' sphere, GM Daewoo hopes that it has turned the corner on below-average on-road manners with its Lacetti and most recent Nubira ranges. The latest Nubira-based Station Wagon should give Daewoo's image a boost, too, with inoffensive looks and a practically designed cabin. The interior serves up 1410 litres of space when the rear bench is folded down, just above average in this class. Daewoo assures a decent amount of room for legs, elbows and heads, too.
The Station Wagon is let down by the absence of diesel power, though. Where other budget brands such as Kia are starting to offer oil-burners in their compact ranges, Daewoo has yet to make that move, a disadvantage considering diesel's huge market penetration in Europe. The Nubira's 108bhp 1.6 and 120bhp 1.8 petrols are fitted in the estate version. The lesser-powered model will crack 111mph and returns 34.5mpg; the 1.8 will do 114mph. Both can be specified with a ZF automatic gearbox.
Standard kit should be up there with more expensive estates, though. The £11,500 Station Wagon gets air conditioning, a CD player and plenty of active safety features including ABS brakes. It goes on sale October 2004.
