To be honest, the Daewoo Gentra test drive did not arouse much interest among the people. Having a good idea of all the characteristics of the Chevrolet Lacetti, which is a thing of the past, you do not expect anything new from its direct successor at all. Unless you hope that he will be no worse than his ancestor. Basically, that's what happened.
With certain external innovations, the filling remained the same for the model. It is understandable - why modernize and improve what is already recognized and loved by potential buyers. Although this position of the manufacturer still causes some disappointment: a new acquaintance with the old is always not as interesting as with something still unknown.
The test drive of the Daewoo Gentra, however, confirmed the reputation of the late Lacetti and laid the foundation for a good opinion about her. And some qualities of the model even turned out to be a pleasant novelty. However, not a single tester managed to avoid the constant comparison of these two machines.
New look: If you approach the issue with an open mind, the appearance of all modern cars is basically the same. The difference is mainly in the details, due to which individual models are remembered. Gentra had no special striking features. The general outline is average; when compared with the same Lacetti, the muzzle is more rapid, the headlights are more elegant, the foglights are not so rough, the radiator grille is more elegant. In general, less clumsy and more modern appearance.
Comfort upgrade
At first, sitting in the salon, you pay attention to some nondescript, standard and old-fashioned design. However, the plastic, albeit a simple one, is quite high-quality, it is easy to clean, and the panels are well fitted to each other, they do not rumble or creak when moving. There are enough places for all sorts of improvised stash - there is even a pocket on the side of the passenger seat. The steering wheel adjusts not only as standard, but also for reach, which is rarely found in this class of car.
The front seats are equipped with heating, and the interior is air-conditioned (although they don’t put the latter in the minimum wage, but just a step higher and 20,000 more expensive - please).
Even in the basic configuration, (also seat belts) are provided, which even in a car of a higher class often comes as an additional option, power windows and full minced mirrors: servo, heating plus electric folding.
The disadvantages of salon equipment include the following:
- the doors close quite hard: if you don’t slam, you won’t obey;
- , but you need to open it the old fashioned way, with a key. Okay trunk - this is still common, but the doors!
- unlike Lacetti, there is no way to adjust the instrument lighting;
- side airbags and a stabilization system are not provided - even if you are ready to pay extra;
- there is still no internal handle on the trunk, so when you close it, you will definitely have to get your hands dirty;
- air conditioning - exclusively manual, on the buttons. There is no climate control even in the top configuration.
As for the drive
With a motor range, the Gentra is worse than the Lacetti. If the latter was offered with engines of 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 liters, then only one and a half valves for 16 valves with a declared power of 150 horses are put on the novelty - the same one that is mounted on the Chevrolet Cobalt. On the other hand, the motor has a much longer-lasting and reliable gas distributor chain drive. Included with this unit is a 6-speed gearbox instead of the morally and physically obsolete 4-5-speed one that was on Lacetti.
In addition, it is worth noting the precise operation of the machine: the switches are verified, with a slight release of gas, so that the gear change is smooth and almost imperceptible. The accelerator is also not bad at work: it reacts instantly, does not blunt, even if it does not have a sports mode.
In driving, the engine shows itself quite grasping. Yes, not racing (acceleration to hundreds - in 11.9 seconds), but it pulls in its class perfectly, even at maximum speed it retains a normal voice, does not squeal and does not shake the body.
What the testers didn't like was the Gentra's response to oncoming air strikes and side gusty winds. The car starts to walk, trying to get away from the direction, and it has to be taxied, returning it to the right track. The car is just as nervous about transverse joints and interference on the canvas and rather deep ruts. However, the Gentra's steering is quite informative, and the brakes are tenacious enough to successfully cope with its temper.
But the car just great on bad roads which we have in abundance. The suspension is so springy – but not stiff! - which copes with pits and mounds without any problems at quite a decent speed. At the same time, those who are in the cabin do not observe tangible shaking, and the joints of the car do not rumble.
Gasoline consumption in the mixed driving mode of the Gentra turned out to be about 8.5 liters - quite well, although the imagination is not amazing. On the track, as the testers calculated, about 7 were spent. It is difficult to say more precisely, since the model does not have a computer-router that fixes expenses.
In general, the Daewoo Gentra test drive did not reveal any obvious shortcomings, blunders and negligence in the assembly. The assemblers in Uzbekistan tried, of course, worse than the Japanese, but definitely better than the Chinese.
General impression: no worse than Lacetti. And if you add the price and nuances of the configuration to the list, it’s even better. With the declared cost, only the Chinese can compete with Gentra, and with the offer of a more extended minced meat. However, with a worse engine, a quickly rusting body and an unreliable suspension.
Daewoo Gentra, from 399,000 rubles, CAR from 5.07 rubles / km
familiar stranger
That's what the hand of the master means! The whole thing is business - the eyes squinted a little, the radiator grille is now smaller, more elegant, from which a good portion of chrome has been removed, the hood has become a little more prominent, the lower lip of the bumper is capriciously bent and adorned with angry “foglights”, and the upper one was drawn with light touches of stampings. But in general, Gentra looks much more modern.
However, the case was limited to a spectacular facelift. From any other angle, the novelty is unmistakably recognizable as none other than the Lacetti. The one that 11 years ago was painted for the South Korean "Daewoo" by the craftsmen of the Italian "Pininfarina". Even then it did not look trendy, quite successfully combining the smooth lines characteristic of the 90s and the new sharp edges of the 21st century, and now it does not look outdated at all. And the car was given a sonorous name: from the Latin Lacertus - young, energetic, strong. In mid-2003, we wrote about this car: a replacement for the Nexia is ready, in August the novelty will be put on the conveyor of the UzDaewooAvto plant.
Hello old man! Long time no see…
The interior of the Gentra is an exact copy of the Lacetti salon. You can unmistakably recognize him by the wonderful remote control for electric mirrors in the corner of the door.
Inside view
There are even fewer differences in the interior than in the exterior. We have written more than once about the well-decorated interior of the Lacetti - the dark soft plastic of the front panel, very decent seats upholstered in practical fabric (both the texture, their two-tone range, and the large cushion adjustment knobs remained the same), a comfortable armrest, simple, but completely understandable and quite efficient air conditioner.
Ten years ago, this salon was almost a record spacious. Now, as you understand, there are more spacious cars in the "golf" class. Nevertheless, the "Gentra" is very hospitable to passengers - three of us can travel on the couch, the driver of 185 cm tall "by himself" sits down without any problems. In the spacious trunk, the lid of which is still opened with a button on the driver's door, two large suitcases still fit - and there is still room. However, there are some minor changes as well. So, we used to praise the visibility of the Lacetti. And now the exterior mirrors have become even a little larger.
And in terms of driving, the Gentra is similar to the Lacetti in everything. The suspension, which is identical in design, swallows not only small, but also large road troubles remarkably - the front one is especially good in this regard. And, of course, increased comfort turns into significant rolls if you suddenly want to grab the Gentra along a winding path.
The central armrest with cup holders is a privilege of the top version. But any Gentra has a third head restraint
Something new
From the very beginning of our acquaintance, Daewoo pleasantly surprised me. Soundproofing almost tightly blocks the noise of the engine at idle - I even tried to start a running engine a couple of times! But just the motor of the new Uzbek car is completely different. If the "Lacetti" relied on as many as three - of different volume and power from 95 to 121 liters. s., then the “Gentre” from the entire “Chevrolet” variety got the only in-line 1.5-liter “four” with 105 forces.
By the way, this is the same motor that is installed on the Cobalt. True, with some changes - other ignition coil, electronic control unit, catalytic converter. In addition, I had to put another clutch - after all, the 5-speed manual gearbox also went to the car from the Lacetti. By the way, it was also installed on the 16-valve Nexia. And on the Gentra, as in the Lacetti, it annoys with long lever strokes.
In principle, this engine "Gentre" is enough. Six hundred miles through Moscow traffic jams and suburban highways with two passengers and luggage did not reveal any big problems. True, it immediately became clear that the Gentra was intended exclusively for law-abiding drivers. Up to 60 km / h in the city, its dynamics are enough, and then the one and a half liter engine quickly turns sour. And on the highway, you can comfortably move at permitted speeds, and after 110 km / h it becomes noisy in the cabin, and overtaking on the move is given to the Daewoo with great tension.
I especially clearly felt the unhurried nature of the Gentra, having transferred from it to a 2-liter Duster - the all-wheel drive Renault seemed like a real hurricane to me!
Perhaps the only drawback of a capacious and neatly trimmed trunk is uncovered hinges that can wrinkle luggage. A full-fledged spare wheel is hidden under the floor - however, on a steel disk
Tasty
Nevertheless, for all five days of acquaintance with the car, no matter how hard I tried, I could not find any serious flaws in it. And the plastic pseudo-tree on the front panel did not irritate, and the confused hatch control could not piss me off. And all because from the very beginning, even before I got behind the wheel, I studied the price list. So, the base Gentra is 28 thousand cheaper than the 1.4-liter Lacetti three years ago! And better equipped. And for half a million you will get a car in a top-end configuration, except perhaps without leather, and an “automatic” for Gentre Elegant is a little expensive - as much as 52 thousand. Nevertheless, such a car will remain unambiguously the best offer in the “golf” class.
Of course, if you dig deep into the equipment list, you can find the total absence of ESP, side and window airbags and leather interior. And yet, I think, neither one nor the other, much less the third one, can cross out the main advantage of Gentra: UzDaewoo offered us a lot of car for very little money.
As for the replacement of the Nexia ... It seems that it will remain on the assembly line for the time being - after all, the old woman is still more than a hundred thousand cheaper.
richer and cheaper
The basic package "Comfort" can be called a living wage. Such a Gentra has a decent power accessories, height adjustment of the driver's seat, a folding sofa, central locking, an immobilizer, isofix mounts. Moreover, in terms of equipment, the car for 399 thousand is richer than the base Lacetti for air conditioning, a second airbag, eyeglass case, front center armrest, fog lights, and mirrors and door handles are painted in body color. AKP will add 50,000 rubles to the base, ABS (this equipment is called "Optimum") - 17 thousand, or only 5,000 rubles. with "automatic".
"Optimum Plus" includes heated front seats and "music", but costs 423 and 460 thousand - as you can see, automatic transmission is much cheaper in this case. Finally, the top-end "Elegant" for 490 thousand means a pseudo-wood trim, adjustable not only in tilt angle, but also in length, a steering wheel, a rear center armrest, remote control with an audio system on the steering wheel and even a sunroof.
Chosen by the whole world
The Daewoo Lacetti debuted in the fall of 2002 at the Seoul Motor Show. Since then, the car has been sold under various names around the world. In Canada and Mexico, the car was called "Optra", in Europe - "Nubira", in India - SRV. Moreover, he changed his car and surnames: in China he was known as "Buick-Excel", in the USA - "Suzuki-Forenza", in Australia - "Holden-Viva".
The current name was chosen by marketers. After interviewing a certain number of our compatriots, they settled on the energetic Gentra. This name was approved by the majority of respondents.
Spacious interior with comfortable front seats; best in class price; good visibility; comfortable energy-intensive suspension
Very long and fuzzy moves of the manual gearbox lever; large rolls in corners; lack of ESP, side and window airbags
When we talk about a Daewoo car, associations such as "inexpensive", "reliable" and "easy to operate" come to mind. The new Daewoo Gentra is no exception at all, quite the contrary. Built on the basis of the already trusted Chevrolet Lacetti, Gentra is conceived as a car with an optimal combination of reliability, price and quality. With a basic package from 399,000 rubles and the proposed set of functions, the car is able to seriously compete with cars from other manufacturers in the "economy" segment.
Exterior
Appearance Gentra is quite attractive if compared, for example, with the same Nexia. Although outwardly it again looks more like Lacetti. Smooth, swift body lines give the car a dynamic look. The chrome-plated grille is in harmony with the drop-shaped headlights. Broken strokes of the lower edge of the bumper, combined with fog lamps, complete the original look of the front end.
Behind and on the side, the car almost completely copies the Lacetti. Angled taillights with transparent inserts, clear lines of the trunk surface and a massive bumper that hides the exhaust pipe make the rear of the body easily recognizable. You can also install original alloy wheels on Gentra, but they are available only in the “Elegant” package.
Interior
The interior of the Gentra is quite roomy. Legroom and the width of the "sofa" for passengers sitting in the back, allow three to comfortably accommodate. Daewoo manufacturers have thought of introducing a backrest adjustment function in the lumbar area into the new brand, which relieves the load on the back during long trips. Moreover, this "novelty" is already in the basic configuration. Which is a rather rare case for the "economy" segment in the automotive industry.
Other noteworthy features include a high ceiling, steering column height adjustment functions, a spacious luggage compartment (405/1225 l) opened with a button in the door, air supply to the rear passengers and much more.
An interesting point is that already “in the base” the car is equipped with many functions that are found in competitors in more “rich” trim levels. Among them: power steering, frontal airbags, front and rear windows with electric windows, air conditioning, electric adjustment and folding side mirrors, etc.
The center console looks simple and clear. The electronic clock located below the air ducts and the laconic configuration of the music system fit harmoniously into the overall interior of the Gentra. It should be said that the sound of the speaker system was a pleasant surprise, although the lack of a USB port for playing music from a “flash drive” was a little disappointing. The heated rear window and the heated wiper rest area are controlled by a single button located on the lower right side of the console.
Safety
As mentioned above, even the base Gentra boasts frontal airbags for the driver and passenger. Also, the “base” offers head restraints for rear passengers, three-point inertia seat belts for all seats, an ISOFIX child seat attachment system and much more. The only drawback of the basic configuration is the absence of the ABS system, which is offered in the Optimum next after the basic configuration.
Test Drive
So, we insert the key into the ignition ... It took about eight minutes to warm up the engine properly (it was minus two overboard). A 1.5-liter engine with a capacity of 107 hp is standard for all Gentra trim levels. and a manual 5-speed transmission is also installed on the Chevrolet Cobalt. Reverse gear is engaged by lifting the ring, which is located on the gearshift lever. Departure in reverse went smoothly, without jerks, the process is well controlled by the clutch and gas pedals. Initially, it seems that the shift to second gear sinks a little, while a slight jerk is felt. The clutch pedal travel is somewhat long, and it is also not entirely clear to determine the moment the gear is engaged. All these nuances disappeared, somewhere after ten minutes of driving. Also during the trip there was a certain slowness in acceleration, especially at low revs. In principle, you don’t expect more from an engine of 107 “horses”. The car really starts to accelerate only at 3000 - 4000 rpm. When overtaking and rebuilding, you have to switch to low gears. Despite its considerable dimensions, maneuvering around the city was not difficult, at the right moments the car behaved quite briskly, there is no lack of traction.
Among other features of Gentra, one can single out an insufficient level of sound insulation. The sound of the engine in the cabin is clearly audible, especially at the first and second speeds. It also became quite noisy due to the sound from the rear wheel arches.
Gentra can be controlled easily and naturally. On sharp turns, for example, you do not need to constantly steer using micro-movements. The steering wheel, which is a bit too big in size, is quite sharp, reacts to movements without delay. The power steering allows you to safely drive the car with one hand, the McPherson type independent front suspension “swallows” pits and bumps on the roads well. As for the rear suspension, this is, in principle, one of the main differences between Gentra with a rear “multi-link” and Cobalta, which has a beam at the back. This provides the vehicle with extra cushioning and adds stability. Thanks to this, Gentra confidently enters into turns, allowing you to slightly accelerate when entering a straight line.
The brake system makes it possible to brake quickly and smoothly even in the event of emergency braking. The fact that there are disc brakes on both axles affects. This is another definite plus of the new car. Summing up our race, we can say that in general Gentra left a positive driving experience.
Conclusion
Taking into account the basic characteristics of the Gentra and personal experience from the test drive, we can say with confidence that this car is a worthy successor to the Chevrolet Lacetti. The absence of ABS in the “base” can be easily fixed if you purchase the “Optimum” version, which costs a little more than the base one. There is nothing superfluous in the car, everything is in its place. The spacious interior and trunk space, an impressive set of Daewoo Gentra features make the car comfortable both for quiet movement around the city and for country trips with the family.
Our Daewoo Gentra test drive was carried out with the assistance of the UZ DAEWOO car dealership ( CAN AUTO), who provided us with a car in the “Elegant” configuration.
Adel Gainutdinov, Galina Grigoryan, especially for TAVTO.RU
The auto industry has long developed a rule for itself not to bury cars, even if their time has passed. There are always markets in the so-called developing countries where outdated models can be successfully sold for another year. All you have to do is change the logo. We can observe the results of such badge engineering everywhere, and from time to time you and I, like dogs, are thrown more and more "bones". People, as they say, eat. And this, unfortunately, is true, because, given the economic realities, for many of us today the main thing is not design and technical excellence, but the low price of buying and operating a car. And if so, let's try to "grab" what the Chevrolet Lacetti, which left the market, has turned into. On the test at InfoCar.ua -.
History with history
In the 10+ years since its debut, this car has been sold around the world under a dozen different names. It was developed by the South Korean company GM Daewoo, the design belongs to the pen of Italian masters, and the sedan was assembled in those countries where it was cheap to do it, that is, in Vietnam, Colombia, Russia, Ukraine, and so on. It all ended with the fact that the car, known to us as the Chevrolet Lacetti, received the final registration in Uzbekistan and is now called the Daewoo Gentra.
Gentra is a prime example of badge engineering. However, the Uzbeks did not just take Lacetti and replace the logo. They made an attempt to change the design of the front of the car. To do this, headlights from a hatchback were installed on the sedan, connecting them with a narrow radiator grille, and a new bumper with rectangular foglights was drawn. Very cute, by the way. Yes, only with the upper part of the “muzzle” this bumper harmonizes in much the same way as a Brioni jacket with Abibas sweatpants. This is a kind of Uzbek school of design. But for trying to change something - plus for karma definitely.
Since the story about the Daewoo Gentra is impossible without reference to the Chevrolet Lacetti, I will give some interesting facts from the history of this car. At one time, for four years it was used in the legendary Top Gear program as a budget sedan for celebrity races. It also became the basis for the creation of a racing version that successfully performed in the World Touring Car Championship. But all this is already in the past. Today's Gentra is just an echo of those events. However, she is still full of strength in order to fight for her existence.
Before we go to explore the salon, I will say one more thing. The Gentra has slightly larger rear-view mirrors than the Lacetti. Otherwise, the doors are closed. Unlike the tinny sound in the original model, here it is more muffled and, accordingly, more pleasant. True, because of the thick seals, the doors have to be slammed hard.
And one more thing - even in the top-end configuration, Gentra does not have a remote control for the central lock. The car can only be opened and closed with the key. But this problem is easily solved by installing any modern alarm system.
Interior
The interior of the Daewoo Gentra is well known to Chevrolet Lacetti owners. Changes in it are minimal and concern mainly the center console and the appearance of matte wood-look plastic inserts in the top-end configuration. Visually, they make the interior more expensive, although the interior materials, with some exceptions and taking into account the budget of the car, are already good. For example, the trim on the dashboard and part of the door upholstery are made of soft plastic. The fabric also seems to be of good quality. And only the rubber steering wheel and not too expensive-looking gray plastic are somewhat frustrating.
Gentra was the first budget car in recent times, in which I easily and quickly managed to find a comfortable fit. And there is no secret here. Absolutely in all trim levels of this sedan, not only the longitudinal adjustment of the driver's seat is available, but also its height adjustment. Moreover, it is two-level, that is, you can separately adjust both the front and back sides of the pillow. In addition, there is an adjustable lumbar support. As for the steering column, in all trim levels, except for the maximum one, it is height adjustable, and in our case there is also a reach adjustment. However, all this does not mean that having achieved a comfortable fit, you will also get good visibility at the same time. First, the Gentra has too wide A-pillars. And secondly, the side rear-view mirrors sin with serious "blind" zones, and this, of course, significantly complicates the driver's work.
This is not to say that there are too many places on the second row of the Gentra. If tall people are sitting in the front seats, there is not enough legroom in the back, although it should be enough for most situations. In any case, it is not much less than that of its main competitors, despite the fact that the Gentra has a shorter wheelbase - 2600 mm. Not very spacious and overhead, but this is mainly due to the presence of the hatch.
Of the pleasant moments, available, however, only to the owners of the top configuration, I note the presence of a convenient central armrest, which is fixed in a horizontal position, and does not fall on the pillow, as is often the case.
What is more than enough in Gentra is all sorts of niches, pockets and so on. The largest capacity, of course, is the glove box - roomy, with a removable partition, lighting and cooling. There is a smaller niche under the armrest, but that's not all. There is a small box to the left of the steering wheel, you can put a mobile phone on a shelf under the center console without fear that it will be scratched, because the bottom is fabric. Front and rear have a pair of cup holders, plus a pocket on the end of the passenger seat, pockets on the backs of the front seats and on the doors. Moreover, on the back, in addition to the main one, there is also an additional one. And finally, a decent-sized drawer is hidden under the passenger seat. Everything is like in a real family car!
It is worth noting that even in the basic configuration Daewoo Gentra is equipped very well. By and large, of the serious options available only in more expensive versions, it is worth noting only ABS, steering wheel adjustment for reach, heated front seats, a power sunroof and an audio system. Everything else, including two airbags, air conditioning, power and heated side mirrors, is already available as standard equipment.
Trunk
Since the Gentra doesn't have remote central locking, it's foolish to expect a sedan trunk to open with a button on the door. But such a button is conveniently located on the driver's door. And even though the trunk here cannot be called huge (405 liters), it can be brought to the car as an asset. If only because, unlike some direct competitors, the back of the rear sofa is folded here, increasing the volume to 1225 liters. The floor is even, however, it will not work, but it's still better than nothing.
Otherwise, the trunk of the Gentra is also not bad - the loading height is low, the dimensions of the opening are sufficient, there is a backlight, a full-size spare wheel on a steel disk is also in place. The only pity is that there is no handle on the inside of the door.
Instruments and multimedia
Most of the instrumentation and multimedia equipment quite predictably migrated to Gentra from Lacetti. This also applies to the instrument panel, which, as before, is ascetic, devoid of an on-board computer, but easy to read, and the air conditioner, which does an excellent job of cooling and heating the cabin.
New to the Gentra is the only 6-speaker audio system available on the top two trim levels. It sounds quite tolerable, can read CDs and MP3 discs, is equipped with an AUX input, but lacks a USB port. In the top configuration, the “music” control buttons are also placed on the steering wheel. But here is one strange feature - of the promised 6 speakers in the car, there were only two, and those behind. And this is not the only “puncture” in a still new car. For example, the backlight of the passenger seat heating button no longer works ...
Drive
Perhaps the most important thing that happened to Gentra in the process of reincarnation was the "heart transplant". Now the sedan has a 1.5-liter 16-valve “four” with distributed injection and a timing chain drive without alternative. This engine produces 107 hp. With. power and 141 Nm of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed "automatic".
One of the advantages of the 1.5-liter engine in this car is good traction at low and medium speeds. This makes it possible to drive quite comfortably in urban modes, confidently rebuild and overtake. In some cases, you don't even need to downshift. And this is actually good, because the box here is not the best. It does not differ in perfect clarity and, on the contrary, is distinguished by a long lever stroke. But on the track, the motor has a very difficult time. He clearly lacks the sixth gear in the box and as a result, at a speed of 100 km / h, the crankshaft rotates at a speed of 3000 rpm, and at 120 the tachometer needle confidently creeps up to 4000 “revs”. In addition to the fact that this leads to increased fuel consumption, such speed does not add acoustic comfort in the cabin. And if we add to this the lack of soundproofing of the wheel arches, and the whistle of the wind, it turns out that driving the Gentra at high speeds is not very pleasant.
Unfortunately, the lack of an on-board computer does not allow us to say exactly how much fuel the Daewoo Gentra consumes. According to passport data, in the urban cycle with a manual transmission, the consumption of A-95 gasoline per 100 km is 8.5 liters, in the suburban cycle - 7 liters. However, practice shows that you can safely add a liter and a half to these figures in order to get real figures. In any case, Gentra does not differ in particularly modest appetites. But the volume of the sedan's fuel tank can be attributed to its advantages - 60 liters.
The chassis of the Gentra is structurally exactly the same as that of the Lacetti, and this, for a second, is an independent suspension of all wheels, that is, McPherson struts are installed in front, and a “multi-link” in the back. And I must say, the suspension here is forgiving. She easily "swallows" almost all road defects. It is extremely difficult to "break through" it. Yes, it seems harsh, but only when the car is empty. It is worth putting a few passengers, and the picture changes for the better. But it is important to remember that with an increase in mass, the effectiveness of the brakes decreases noticeably, and they are already not the best here.
Thanks to a well-tuned suspension, Gentra holds the road quite confidently. In corners, the body of the sedan rolls slightly, but the overall picture is spoiled by too obvious understeer and sluggish reactions to the steering wheel. However, the steering wheel, which is not devoid of information, allows you to feel the car and easily control it.
Conclusion
The whole week that I spent behind the wheel, I did not leave the feeling that I was behind the wheel of a used car in excellent condition. Like it or not, but for 10 years the design of this sedan is obsolete. But this is perhaps its biggest drawback, which is easily covered by numerous advantages.
Gentra, although a little more expensive than its main competitors, is quite comparable in price to such sedans as Emgrand 7, BYD F3 and JAC J5. And even if it is somewhat inferior to them in equipment, this car will take its toll by the fact that they can repair it at any service station, there will be no problems with spare parts, and selling Gentra, in which case, will be much easier than any of the Chinese. Plus, it is practical, quite comfortable and rides very well for the money. If the Gentra's looks don't bother you, then this is the car that you should pay close attention to when choosing a budget sedan.
P.S. Unfortunately, the current confusion with exchange rates has led to the fact that car prices are revised almost daily. On the day when we took the Daewoo Gentra for a test, the top-end equipment with “mechanics” cost UAH 138,500, and the base one cost UAH 115,000. And now, at the time of the publication of this article, the car has seriously risen in price. Now you can buy it for at least 131,000 UAH, and for the top modification with a manual transmission, they ask for as much as 156,000 UAH. Therefore, for convenience, we will focus not on the hryvnia, but on the equivalent in US dollars at the rate of 11. So, Gentra costs from 12 thousand, and this is the highest starting price among competitors, since Emgrand 7 and JAC J5 can be bought for 11,000, and BYD F3 - for 11.300 USD. Draw your own conclusions.
The Daewoo Gentra model car is not as new as the manufacturer dares to say. Even the Daewoo Gentra from 2019 is not associated with a modern car, for a number of reasons, which we will discuss in more detail later.
At the moment, under this specification, the car is produced in Uzbekistan and China, where they have their own niche in the compact "C" class. At the end of the review, we advise you to pay attention to the crash test and test drive presented by Daewoo Gentra, with a study of the characteristics.
In principle, for domestic motorists, the image of the Deu Gentra will not be unique and somehow new, everyone remembers the famous model from Chevrolet under the Lacetti index. So, the car presented today on the review is almost completely copied from it.
Perhaps, at present, the design is not so catchy, but nevertheless, domestic counterparts have not gone so far in this price category, so the car is still able to compete. Moreover, the prototype was the American development of the main minds of the Chevrolet concern.
The front part is probably the only one where the completed set of works on updating the design is felt. New headlights, grille, look harmonious. In part, the transformations went to the bumper, which acquired new air intake bells, as well as other shackles of foglights.
The photos presented by Daewoo Gentra clearly show that the silhouette continues to retain the traditional motifs of the car, with straight lines, a sloping roof that is not habitually elongated, as for a sedan. If you can enjoy the novelty of the design in front, then the design of the stern remains the same.
Classic lights that came from American sedans of the early nineties. The bumper is completely without any details, even the exhaust is hidden under it.
Interior
Touching upon the theme of interior design, it is worth saying that a certain stage of renovation touched the interior, but not to the extent that many expected. The build quality is confident, in any case, the car is capable of competing with domestic Priors and Grants. In general, the interior can be described as spacious and roomy.
The front panel demonstrates a classic speedometer block, you won’t find any premium elements here, after all, a car from a budget class. The steering column is characteristic of the original model, the style completely repeats American cars from the 90s.
The center console pleased with the new radio, apparently two din. Also, the control of the stove or air conditioner fit in the new control unit, making it more convenient than the original.
Generally not a bad style of accommodation, although the interior is simple, it looks more pleasant than that of domestic counterparts. Peculiar decorative inserts play a huge role, even if they are not made of wood, but simply decorated in this style.
The seats do not say that amorphous, quite comfortable fit. Sensitive seats are offered for front passengers, plus lateral support is palpable.
The owner, with whom we had a chance to talk, confirmed that the seats have become more comfortable. There is also plenty of space behind, three riders will not be cramped, especially since the interior is really large, even for its class. No wonder the Lacetti was listed in the segment above.
Technical indicators
The technical characteristics of the Daewoo Gentra model fully justify the cost, the year of design. The engine is used here, as you know, only one is 1.5 liters. unit, capabilities allow it to produce about 107 hp.
Despite the fact that the engine was of an old design, still an American model, the modern modernization that the engine succumbed to could bring it under the current Euro-5 standards. The engine is paired with several boxes, it is a familiar "mechanics" for 5 shifts and a modern "automatic" for 6 cycles.
Even despite the modernization, it will not work to call the engine economical. In the case when the car is aggregated with "mechanics", the consumption will be about 8.5 liters. in mixed mode. Consumption with the "automatic" increases to almost 10 liters. with the same range of motion.
The technical characteristics of the suspension are not distinguished by anything special, in fact, all the developments were taken from Chevrolet. Hence the resource, after all, a car from the budget class and partly its appearance is associated with the conquest of the Russian segment. Therefore, we tried to prepare the car for our conditions as much as possible.
Despite the design of the beginning of the "zero", the technical characteristics of the platform are amazing, even at high speeds the car feels the road steadily. By the way, many reviews of the owners positively characterize the maintainability of the car, since the spare parts are suitable from the Lacetti.
Options and prices
The new Daewoo Gentra is presented on the Russian market in five real and fixed modifications. Complete sets and prices compared to the prototype, have significantly expanded in terms of technology.
The price of the “poorest” configuration is 419,000 rubles, for that kind of money, the manufacturer is ready to provide foglights, an airbag, power accessories for all doors, adjustment, heated mirrors, an audio unit with six speakers, manual transmission, “wheel” adjustment (in height).
For maximum equipment, they require 599,000 rubles, here, in addition to the “base”, an ABS system, “molding”, a rear armrest, wood decor, column adjustment, seat heating, air conditioning, a sunroof and a CD radio are already available. Because there are no additional options, the price is fixed for all modifications equipped with their own list of equipment.
