Daewoo Tacuma
Not to be outdone by other car brands, Daewoo jumped on the compact MPV bandwagon with the Tacuma, and actually it was quite successful. Despite some weird exterior designs, it was spacious and well constructed as you’d expect, but also pretty lively on the road. Cheaper than most other small people carriers, it’s definitely value for money, and that’s just what families are looking for these days.
The Tacuma had a production life of 8 years from 2000 to 2008 and came in classic 5 door format. Based on the Nubria, just different in every possible way, it was sold all over the world and proved very popular indeed. Regular models are able to seat 5 people in comfort, but a 7 seater was introduced in South Korea that can be found in the UK, although it’s very rare.
If the designers were instructed to make a car that looked plain odd, they certainly hit the nail on the head with the Tacuma. From the front grille to the curvy windows and random lines at the back, which looked like someone sneezed and forgot to cover it up, the Daewoo is certainly strange. However it doesn’t look bad and you soon forget about it once you get inside. There’s a heap load of kit across all trim levels and the cabin has a durable feel to it. Even though the dash is rather plain, the controls are ergonomic and there’s actually a lot of room. One of the best features is the optional Playstation and roof mounted screens.
The best way to describe the driving experience is ‘van like’; it feels industrial and isn’t refined in the slightest. The ride is somewhat comfortable but isn’t cut out for the worst of Britain’s back roads, but on motorways and at low speeds around town it’s good. Quite clearly it doesn’t like to be hurried, and the relatively small engines don’t provide mountains of power, although they are economical. Basically it’s alright but not standout.
Being a Daewoo, this compact MPV wasn’t expensive in the first place, but now there are some brilliant bargains available pre owned. Motors.co.uk is head and shoulders above most places with its awesome selection of second hand cars for sale, and jaw droppingly low prices are the icing on an impressive cake. A used Daewoo Tacuma will service most families brilliantly, and not cost a huge amount either.
The bottom line is that if you want a cheap people carrier that is quirky in appearance, nicely designed and spacious inside, and solid to drive, the Daewoo is certainly worth a look. It’s not as sporty, stylish or speedy as modern options, but it does give you a lot for very little. A real bargain for budgeting families.