Admittedly, one of the more enjoyable aspects of being an auto journalist is that sometimes you get to drive a brand new vehicle before it’s even available to consumers. Such was the case when I was able to be one of the first to spend a week in the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Orlando for the Enviro Dad Test Drive.
The Chevrolet Orlando is part of a new series of vehicles being launched by automakers that is best described as part MPV and part Crossover. It offers up to 7 seat capacity in a frame that is smaller than a traditional minivan but lighter and more fuel efficient than most crossovers. The popular Mazda 5 has been virtually the sole entrant into this category, but I’m sure Mazda knew it wouldn’t be that way for long. In addition to the Orlando, Ford is about to launch its own small seven passenger vehicle the C-Max and one suspects that other car companies will soon follow.
Just as General Motors did with the development and launch of the Chevrolet Cruze, the Orlando features a vehicle designed and manufactured internationally for an international market. The Orlando is manufactured at GM’s South Korean’s facilities (formerly Daiwoo) and will be sold across the globe (with the US being a notable exception).
AT FIRST GLANCE
When I picked up the Orlando, my first thought was that it physically seemed smaller than I thought it would be. However when I sat behind the wheel and looked around I had the feeling that it was roomier than perhaps it should be. The physical sensation was likely enhanced by a low roofline and relatively compact dimensions. Despite this, there was an unexpected amount of headroom, thus giving the impression that the Orlando is perhaps bigger than it actually is.
The Orlando’s design offers a bit of familiar elements such as the distinctive Chevrolet front grill, with some new and somewhat sporty elements like aggressively designed wheel arches that give somewhat of a body in, wheel out appearance. It’s not a jaw-dropper by any means, but at the same time has a look that is unique enough to at least get noticed.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
Consistent with GM’s trend of building more fuel efficient cars, the Orlando offers a single 2.4 litre 4 cylinder engine across all versions. It puts out 174 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque and is driven by a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic electronically controlled transmission with electronic range select.
The engine is essentially the same as the 4 cylinder engine offered on the GMC Terrain, which I’ve had the chance to review as well. With the Terrain I always had the feeling that the engine seemed a bit underpowered, but with the Orlando I never had that sensation. One reason for this perhaps is the fact that the Orlando has a curb weight that’s about 130 KG’s less than that of the Terrain. That said, with the Orlando having available seating for seven while the Terrain is only designed to seat five, it would be interesting to compare them again with respective full payloads.
My tester came equipped with the automatic transmission and I found it to be relatively smooth. We took the Orlando up to Blue Mountain for a family weekend away, and on a couple occasions I had to accelerate rapidly to pass slower vehicles. While I certainly wasn’t blown away by horsepower, the acceleration was quick enough to not make such a pass riskier than it normally is.
Seating is generally comfortable if unspectacular. Leather seating is only available as an option on the LTZ model, with either cloth or premium cloth being offered as standard.
THE GREEN FACTOR
As mentioned above, the Orlando is relatively lightweight for a seven passenger capable vehicle. Coming in at just under 1600 KG’s, one presumed advantage is that it’s better on gas. According to GM’s figures, the Orlando offers a fuel efficiency rating of 10.1 L/100km (City) and 6.7 L/100km (Hwy) using the six-speed manual transmission, or 10.6 L/100km (City) and 6.9 L/100km (Hwy) using the six-speed automatic. GM markets the Orlando as having the best highway fuel efficiency of any seven-seater available on the market.
During my testing I found my actual fuel ratings to be consistently within about 10 – 15% of the published ratings, which is consistent with just about everything I’ve tested.
THE FAMILY FACTOR
The Orlando is marketed as a vehicle with optional seating for seven, but like with just about every other seven-seat capable crossover out there, when you use the third row for seating you have almost nothing left for storage.
With the Orlando, I would be very hard pressed to fit a week’s worth of groceries inside if I had the whole family along with me. With that said, I was able to get rather creative when it came to having to haul up the entire family along with luggage and golf clubs when we travelled in the Orlando to Blue Mountain.
On the way up to Blue, I utilized the connectors for an optional roof rack, as well as some bungee cords to secure my golf clubs in a travel bag, along with a playpen for my daughter. However I was quite surprised to discover that by moving 3 kids to the middle row, one in the back row and then using the 3rd row 50/50 folding seat option, I actually fit everything inside the Orlando without having to utilize the roof. While it certainly wasn’t the optimum way I’d want to travel, it demonstrated a flexibility that families will appreciate and GM is heavily trying to promote.
FOR THE TECHIES
Where the Orlando does quite well with fuel efficiency and versatility, it won’t win over many who love to see lots of toys inside.
Aside from GM standards like their On-Star service, and Bluetooth hands free communications, there isn’t much in the way of above standard electronics or high tech options available. Surprisingly, there isn’t an available GPS navigation system, which seems to becoming an almost standard offering nowadays, especially where family focused vehicles are concerned.
There are reasons to certainly consider buying an Orlando, but high tech options certainly isn’t one.
SUMMARY
Consistent with pretty much all of its new model offerings in the last couple years, the Chevrolet Orlando is a progressive and appealing vehicle. It’s well-designed to take on the Mazda 5 and the soon to be launched Ford C-Max in the relatively un-crowded MPV/Small Crossover market, and may have a decent chance of being a segment leader. I like to call the Orlando a Mini-Minivan and I think it’s well designed and positioned for families looking for a flexible vehicle at an affordable price point that’s also good on gas.
The Orlando certainly isn’t the most glamorous seven passenger vehicle I’ve tested, but I don’t think GM ever intended it to be. Those who will be drawn to the Orlando aren’t necessarily the same people who would also look at higher end minivans like the Honda Odyssey, Nissan Quest, Toyota Sienna or Dodge Grand Caravan, but that’s okay. Instead it will look to establish itself fully while the amount of rivals are small, since as trends seem to go, the category will begin to get crowded soon.
BY THE NUMBERS (Out of 10)
LOOK/DESIGN – 8.0
DRIVE – 8.0
THE GREEN FACTOR – 8.0
THE FAMILY FACTOR – 7.5
TECHIE STUFF – 5.0
VALUE – 8.5
(MSRP as Tested $29,125)
OVERALL SCORE – 7.5
That’s interesting about the C-Max. It’s been removed from Ford of Canada’s “future vehicles” page and it’s officially not coming to the US:
“Ford’s plan to invest in even more capacity for its five-passenger C-MAX electrified models for North America replaces an earlier plan of introducing the gasoline-engine-powered seven-passenger C-MAX multi-activity vehicle.” from Ford’s press release.
It’s possible, of course, that it will be yet another “Canada-only” vehicle like the Orlando and Rondo, but I haven’t seen anything official to suggest that.
Yes, it could be a Canada-only initiative. Time will tell as to what the future really holds for the C-Max, but if I’m GM I’d consider this a great opportunity.
Two little sticking points:
1) The Mazda5 isn’t the only other entrant in this category, at least in Canada. The Kia Rondo also packs seven seats into a small frame and sells very well in Canada but was discontinued in the US after the 2010 model year. Indeed, with 7 seats and swing-out doors, the Orlando is much more similar to a Rondo than a Mazda5 (6 seats and sliding doors).
2) It seems that Ford has canceled plans to bring the 7-seat C-Max to North America.
Thanks Colin for your input. The Rondo was one I missed, so thanks. As for the C-Max my contacts at Ford Canada have not advised me of such and according to my latest contact with them, we should see the C-Max in 2012.