Canadian-exclusive Orlando a practical family hauler
What is it?
The Orlando is a three-row, seven-passenger people hauler based on General Motors' global compact-car platform. With conventional opening rear doors, please, don't call it a minivan. And in a departure from the norm, the Korean-built Orlando is only sold in Canada in North America — not the United States.
What's new?
In theory, the Orlando is a replacement for Chevrolet's last small 'n tall wagon: the five-passenger HHR. But instead of the HHR's retro theme (dating back to the 1949 Chevrolet Suburban), the Orlando is a thoroughly modern vehicle, designed to compete with small European people movers like the Renault Scenic. Here in Canada, the Chevy's main competitor comes from the six-seater Mazda5, and soon-to-be-redesigned five- or seven-seater Kia Rondo.
Prices for the Orlando range from $19,995 to $29,735. All models come with front-wheel drive and a 2.4-litre four-cylinder that makes 174 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque. Although few customers will take one, a six-speed manual transmission is standard.
My tester was the $22,295 Orlando 1LT. It features extras like air conditioning, power heated mirrors, cruise control, and tilt and telescoping steering wheel — among other details — over the base model. As well, a $1,450 six-speed automatic transmission, $510 16-inch alloy wheels, and a $460 vehicle interface package (Bluetooth for phone, leather-wrapped steering wheel with auxiliary sound system controls and USB port) brought the total to $23,265.
Despite lacking the Mazda5's rear sliding doors, the Chevrolet's middle row (split 60/40) tumbles forward, making getting in and out of the Orlando's third-row seating relatively easy. The last two rows fold flat, freeing up to 1,594 litres of cargo room; almost twice as much as the Mazda.
What's it like to drive?
The interior fit and finish and use of materials were hit and miss in my Orlando 1LT. Multiple shades of plastic conflicted with differing qualities of plastics. Chevrolet's U.S.-built, compact Cruze sedan feels more upscale. At least the Orlando's driving position is proper. You don't sit too tall in the saddle. And the Chevy wagon is about the same size as the original Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna from the mid-1990s. The result? The Orlando is more nimble and easy to manoeuvre in traffic parking spaces than a not-so-mini minivan like a Dodge Grand Caravan.
Not surprisingly, the Orlando drives like a taller Cruze: smooth, but with none of the type of driver involvement the more athletic Mazda5 delivers. The Chevrolet's steering isn't overly light. But little information from the road gets sent to the driver. And although most buyers in this class won't care, the Orlando's handling can be best described as benign: there's just enough understeer to dull any ideas of driving it like a sports compact.
Despite offering a larger engine and more power than the Cruze (and the 157-hp Mazda), the Orlando's engine and automatic don't respond very quickly. It's almost as if the car is saying, Are you really sure you want to go that quickly? The Chevrolet's lazy ways pay off at the pumps, though. Despite the extra juice, it scores similar fuel economy numbers to the Mazda: 10.6 L/100 km in town, 6.9 on the highway.
Should you buy one?
In a perfect world, the Orlando should be Chevrolet's bestselling vehicle. For most Canadian families, it's all they need. It offers more practicality than the Cruze sedan, better space efficiency and fuel economy than the Chevy Equinox crossover, and it's easy to park. As a practical family hauler, the Orlando is an appealing proposition. Driving enthusiasts will prefer the Mazda. But families will like the Chevrolet's extra interior room.
2012 Chevrolet Orlando 1LT
WHAT I LIKED: More rational size than larger minivans; roomy cabin; easy-to-get-to third-row seating.
WHAT I DIDN'T: Slow to respond; middling handling; options can quickly add to its "under $20K" advertised price.
Base price: $22,295
Type of vehicle: FWD, three-row compact wagon
Engine: 2.4L, 16-valve, DOHC I-4
Power/Torque: 174 hp / 171 lb.-ft.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic (std. six-speed manual)
Fuel consumption (city/hwy/as-tested): 10.6 / 6.9 / 9.4 L/100 km
Competition: Kia Rondo, Mazda5
Story and photos by John LeBlanc