Chevrolet Epica Saloon (08-09) - Review

There’s plenty of space in the in the Epica, and because even the entry-level version comes with part-synthetic leather upholstery, this is a saloon that has an air of luxury (almost) that seems at odds with its price. Bigger than the Vauxhall Vectra, its generous cabin allows stretching space and rear seat legroom is particularly impressive. Add a fuss-free ride that smoothes out most road bumps and the result is family-sized transport that’s ideal for long-distance use. Air conditioning is standard and the rear centre armrest also contains cupholders.

With a long wheelbase providing good cabin room and a decent 480 litres of bootspace to cope with their luggage, the Epica offers impressive space. It's also versatile, thanks to 60/40-split rear seats and although the rear sill is relatively high, loading is made easier by a large opening that isn’t restricted by bulky hinges – the bootlid uses neat gas struts instead. For a large car, the size of the glovebox is a disappointment, but the centre console provides cupholders, the armrest has two handy compartments for small items and both sun visors feature extenders.

The interior is light and airy but while the quality is pretty decent, everything feels dated. The smart dials with silver rims and an easy to use stereo help lift the drab atmosphere, but the air conditioning controls are placed too low and there's plenty of hard plastics on show. All models come with a leather steering wheel however and all round visibility is pretty good, although the large overhang of the boot makes reverse parking tricky.