Chevrolet Tacuma
If you're in the market for a family and budget friendly compact MPV, the Chevrolet Tacuma could be right up your street. With quirky designs, space inside for 5 and a solid build quality, it does more than enough to stake a claim for itself as a best buy for cash strapped individuals.
Originally released in 2000 and sold as a Daewoo, it didn't get the Chevrolet badge until 2005. Sold in a myriad of countries all over the world, the Tacuma was a popular choice until production ended in 2008. The 5 door, front wheel drive people carrier comes with some small but perky engines, and a 7 seat version was even introduced in the South Korean market, but can be found in the UK. Basically it does everything you'd expect of an MPV, but at quite a low price.
Very strange in design, the weird shape is actually one of the best features. Some lovely curved lines go along its length, and the windows follow the same shape. The interior is plain at best, and isn't exciting at all, but then again it is decently equipped with modern kit, and the controls are straightforward to use. A lot of plastic is on display, but it's quite hard wearing nonetheless. The 325 litre boot might seem small, but there are loads of storage areas in the cabin, and with the rear seats taken out it's a fair size.
If you thought the visuals were a bit out of the ordinary, there's nothing bizarre about the driving experience, which is distinctly average. It is easy to control, but there's not much feel through the steering, and cornering quickly isn't advised as passengers could become motion sick. The ride is soft and overall the Tacuma can handle day to day driving well enough, as long as you don't ask too much of it.
A very reasonably priced car by all accounts, you really can find some incredible pre owned deals here at Motors.co.uk. The sheer volume of quality used cars for sale listed at massively reduced prices means you don't have to look that hard to bag a bargain. With a second hand Chevrolet Tacuma, you'll always be in line for a good amount of bang for your buck.
Look, at the end of the day, the Tacuma isn't a stand out performer in any area, but what it does offer is a complete package that's not at all expensive. Cars that are value for money aren't made to be flashy or fast; they're meant to deliver a solid solution and not cause much of a fuss. That's exactly what the Chevy does, and very well at that.
