The Orlando's boxy shape translates
into a spacious cabin
into a spacious cabin
By Petrina Gentile, Globe & Mail - "What's so special about that vehicle? Is it an Equinox?" some tourists ask as I snap photos of GM's latest creation.
This is no Equinox -- although it does resemble one from the front end; this is GM's attempt to regain market share in the minivan segment, the 2012 Chevrolet Orlando. The Orlando is unique because despite its name, it isn't available in Orlando or anywhere in the United States; you can only buy it in Canada.
Built at GM's South Korea manufacturing plant, the Orlando hit European streets earlier this year. It goes on sale in Canada this fall. And there's no denying it's a functional, flexible people mover with ample space for seven and cargo. Any minivan mom would love it.
Granted the styling isn't the Orlando's strong point. From the front end, it has Chevy's recognizable split radiator grille and bow-tie badge. From the side, its profile is big, bulky and boxy. But the shape does translate into a spacious cabin with excellent headroom in all three rows.
One thing that's missing to access the seats is the sliding doors. Unlike the Mazda5, its major competitor, the Orlando has hinged doors. Personally, I prefer sliding doors, it makes it easier for kids to enter and exit the vehicle while creating more space in the cabin.
"There was talk of sliding doors," admits Paul Hewitt, Orlando product manager, GM Canada. "It seems the sliding doors are a North American thing. This is primarily a European car that we hopped on the bandwagon because we saw a real market need for it. To develop a whole separate door system for us would have been very expensive."
Once inside, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the space. There are seven seats -- two in the front, three in the middle and two in the third row. The tiered, theatre-style second-row seats have a tumble-fold feature. Just grab and pull the seat forward and it'll tumble over automatically so it's easier for passengers to access the third row. It works well, but you need elbow grease to raise and lower the seats. I couldn't do it with one hand. Kids will also have a hard time doing it themselves.
The third row is tight and feels claustrophobic; the seats are ideal for kids, but adults will feel trapped and uncomfortable. If you don't need the third row, the seats fold into the floor, creating a low, flat surface so it's easier to load and unload items into the cargo area. There are also plenty of storage compartments in the front and rear doors and centre console. A smart storage area is hidden behind the audio front fascia; it's large and useful for tucking away cell phones, ipads or your wallet. The dashboard is well laid out, but somewhat plasticky.
The Orlando shares the same platform as Chevrolet's award-winning Cruze sedan. It comes with a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engine that delivers 174 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque.
Even though it's a large, tall vehicle, the Orlando is easy to drive and park -- it doesn't feel cumbersome. There's minimal body lean when cornering, too. In fact, the Orlando's ride and handling is its strong point. On winding, sweeping roads, it was well-balanced and secure. Under hard acceleration, however, the engine whines and struggles, especially when travelling uphill. Engine and road noise also seep into the cabin.
A pair of six-speed transmission -- a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic -- are mated to the engine. My tester had a six-speed automatic, which is smooth and fuel-efficient. It delivers 6.9 L/100 km on the highway and 10.6 in the city; the manual returns 6.7 highway / 10.1 L / 100 city.
The Orlando also comes with standard safety features such as panic brake assist and cornering brake control, StabiliTrak, traction control, six airbags and power rear child security door locks. It has a 2011 Euro NCAP five-star rating, which is one of the top scores a vehicle can receive in Europe. Since it's not available in the United States, it won't be crash tested there.
The starting price is reasonable: $19,995 for the base LS trim. But you likely won't buy this version. Sure it comes with power windows, power locks, remote keyless entry, and a six-speed manual -- but there's no air conditioning, no floor mats and no option to get a six-speed automatic transmission on this trim. I doubt many busy moms would want the hassle of driving a stick in the city with screaming kids in tow.
It would make more sense to move up the ladder to the 1LT trim with A/C, cruise control, telescoping steering and a driver armrest for $22,295. A 2LT model ($24,895) adds fog lamps, a USB port, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The top-of-the-line LTZ comes standard with a six-speed automatic; bigger, beefier, 18-inch alloy wheels; a six-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. But this trim is expensive, starting at $29,735. And if you add an optional sunroof, leather seats and navigation system you'll ring in closer to the $40,000 mark. Incidentally, a Mazda5 starts at $21,795; the top GT model costs $24,395 and if you add a five-speed automatic transmission ($1,200) and a luxury package with leather seats and a power moon roof ($1,790) you'll still be under 30 grand.
Still, the Orlando is a functional people mover that rides and handles beautifully on the sweeping roads of Muskoka, Ontario. It arrives at Canadian dealerships this October.
This is no Equinox -- although it does resemble one from the front end; this is GM's attempt to regain market share in the minivan segment, the 2012 Chevrolet Orlando. The Orlando is unique because despite its name, it isn't available in Orlando or anywhere in the United States; you can only buy it in Canada.
Built at GM's South Korea manufacturing plant, the Orlando hit European streets earlier this year. It goes on sale in Canada this fall. And there's no denying it's a functional, flexible people mover with ample space for seven and cargo. Any minivan mom would love it.
Granted the styling isn't the Orlando's strong point. From the front end, it has Chevy's recognizable split radiator grille and bow-tie badge. From the side, its profile is big, bulky and boxy. But the shape does translate into a spacious cabin with excellent headroom in all three rows.
One thing that's missing to access the seats is the sliding doors. Unlike the Mazda5, its major competitor, the Orlando has hinged doors. Personally, I prefer sliding doors, it makes it easier for kids to enter and exit the vehicle while creating more space in the cabin.
"There was talk of sliding doors," admits Paul Hewitt, Orlando product manager, GM Canada. "It seems the sliding doors are a North American thing. This is primarily a European car that we hopped on the bandwagon because we saw a real market need for it. To develop a whole separate door system for us would have been very expensive."
Once inside, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the space. There are seven seats -- two in the front, three in the middle and two in the third row. The tiered, theatre-style second-row seats have a tumble-fold feature. Just grab and pull the seat forward and it'll tumble over automatically so it's easier for passengers to access the third row. It works well, but you need elbow grease to raise and lower the seats. I couldn't do it with one hand. Kids will also have a hard time doing it themselves.
The third row is tight and feels claustrophobic; the seats are ideal for kids, but adults will feel trapped and uncomfortable. If you don't need the third row, the seats fold into the floor, creating a low, flat surface so it's easier to load and unload items into the cargo area. There are also plenty of storage compartments in the front and rear doors and centre console. A smart storage area is hidden behind the audio front fascia; it's large and useful for tucking away cell phones, ipads or your wallet. The dashboard is well laid out, but somewhat plasticky.
The Orlando shares the same platform as Chevrolet's award-winning Cruze sedan. It comes with a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engine that delivers 174 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque.
Even though it's a large, tall vehicle, the Orlando is easy to drive and park -- it doesn't feel cumbersome. There's minimal body lean when cornering, too. In fact, the Orlando's ride and handling is its strong point. On winding, sweeping roads, it was well-balanced and secure. Under hard acceleration, however, the engine whines and struggles, especially when travelling uphill. Engine and road noise also seep into the cabin.
A pair of six-speed transmission -- a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic -- are mated to the engine. My tester had a six-speed automatic, which is smooth and fuel-efficient. It delivers 6.9 L/100 km on the highway and 10.6 in the city; the manual returns 6.7 highway / 10.1 L / 100 city.
The Orlando also comes with standard safety features such as panic brake assist and cornering brake control, StabiliTrak, traction control, six airbags and power rear child security door locks. It has a 2011 Euro NCAP five-star rating, which is one of the top scores a vehicle can receive in Europe. Since it's not available in the United States, it won't be crash tested there.
The starting price is reasonable: $19,995 for the base LS trim. But you likely won't buy this version. Sure it comes with power windows, power locks, remote keyless entry, and a six-speed manual -- but there's no air conditioning, no floor mats and no option to get a six-speed automatic transmission on this trim. I doubt many busy moms would want the hassle of driving a stick in the city with screaming kids in tow.
It would make more sense to move up the ladder to the 1LT trim with A/C, cruise control, telescoping steering and a driver armrest for $22,295. A 2LT model ($24,895) adds fog lamps, a USB port, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The top-of-the-line LTZ comes standard with a six-speed automatic; bigger, beefier, 18-inch alloy wheels; a six-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. But this trim is expensive, starting at $29,735. And if you add an optional sunroof, leather seats and navigation system you'll ring in closer to the $40,000 mark. Incidentally, a Mazda5 starts at $21,795; the top GT model costs $24,395 and if you add a five-speed automatic transmission ($1,200) and a luxury package with leather seats and a power moon roof ($1,790) you'll still be under 30 grand.
Still, the Orlando is a functional people mover that rides and handles beautifully on the sweeping roads of Muskoka, Ontario. It arrives at Canadian dealerships this October.
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