The Chevrolet Optra5 was introduced to the Canadian public at the Montreal International Auto Show on January 8th, 2004. General Motors of Canada unveiled the new 2004 Chevrolet Optra5 as a new and contemporary hatchback. Continuing to strengthen the Chevrolet lineup and go head-to-head with the imports, the Optra5 offers style, functionality, sport appeal and "fun-to-drive" characteristics that cater to the needs of today's first time new car buyers.
(CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE)
In the growing segment of small cars and hatchback designs, the Optra5 joins the sedan version to assure Chevrolet's presence in the class. Available in base, and LS models, the Optra5 offers the lowest price in its highly competitive class. This is a clear advantage over such compact models as Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Matrix, Mazda3, Honda Civic, and Toyota Corolla. With an impressive list of standard features, the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the base begins at just $16,190. The LS model bumps up the creature comforts and feature availability with a starting price at $18,140.
You can access the equipment list for the Optra5 through the links in the contents menu.
"The all-new Chevrolet Optra5 features a sporty and stylish appearance that will appeal to young Canadians looking for an affordable, functional, and dependable car that is fun to drive," said Marc Comeau, Vice-President, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing, for GM of Canada.
The Optra5 offers the same impressive long list of features as the Optra sedan - plus a more functional and a distinctive exterior and interior design to call its own. Unless you were to read down its list of standard features and take a peak inside at the interior, you would be unlikely to guess that this hatchback had anything to do with the sedan.
(CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE)
The Optra5 runs on the L34 2.0 Litre DOHC 16-valve engine delivering 119 hp at 5400 rpm and 126 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm, mated to a five-speed manual transmission with a four-speed automatic as an option. It offers a competitive list of standard equipment, including power steering, four-wheel fully independent suspension, 15" wheels wearing 195/55/R15 Hankook Optimo H420 rubber, power disc brakes at all four wheels, tachometer, rear door child locks and tether anchors, digital clock, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, dual airbags, a four-speaker AM/FM/CD, tilt steering, intermittent wipers, and 60/40 split rear seats.
The instrument panel shows all aspects of the vehicle feature operation. Icons and text is produced for the fog lights; transmission gear hold feature; cruise control; daytime running lights; and usual hazard equipment.
The use of body-coloured pieces as standard equipment, such as the door handles, mirrors, and mouldings is quite impressive for a car in this class. As usual for GM, variable-speed intermittent wipers is also included in each model. The hatchback also includes a standard rear wiper/washer. ABS brakes are an option on both models. Also impressive are the front headlamps using projector low beams that spread a very bright band of white light across the forward path. The only downside is that the high beam is directed largely through the centre, creating a black void while the eyes adjust to the lack of forward light the low beams project.
The Optra5 LS adds amazing value with power steering that includes speed-sensitivity, power windows at all four doors with driver express-down and switch-lock features, remote keyless entry with alarm, heated power mirrors, steering-wheel mounted cruise control, and air conditioning. All this for only $1,615.00 more!
There is also a host of additional optional equipment available, such as: anti-lock brakes, 4-speed automatic transmission, and an appearance package that offers a tilt-slide power sunroof, 15" alloy wheels, leather steering wheel & shifter knob, redundant steering-wheel mounted audio controls, mud guards, fog lamps, and an 8-speaker audio system with MP3 capability (that sounds quite impressive we might add).
(CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE)
The first thing one would notice about the Optra5 is that it has a multitude of exterior characteristics that reveal European influence. From all sides, the car gives an image of 'lift', implying a sporty impression onto the viewer. The front bumpers raise at their corners, rounding the large Euro-inspired lights. The hood sharply gains height to the cowl. The beltline rises from front to rear in the familiar wedge-shape, integrating the jeweled tail lights as it wraps around the rear onto the other side. The rear itself places all visible components up high; with a smallish window, beautiful tail lamp group, and bumper that appears so flush all around, it seems as though it is of one piece with the car. Short overhangs, few body creases, and the lack of exterior door jamb and rocker panel joints certainly aid in the clean, sporty appearance.
(CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE)
By comparison to the sedan, the size difference in their length is immediately noticeable. The Optra5 chops a full 205 mm (8.1 inches) from the rear over the Optra sedan. Passenger room is not affected, and the cabin size remains identical to the sedan. I stand at six feet - two inches, and the seating room is quite adequate for four adults my size, even with the sunroof. Even more important for taller folks is that knee room and shoulder space is rather generous. The large doors make entry/exit very comfortable. It is the reduction in cargo space that makes the Optra5 shorter. The cargo area (with the rear seats up) is smaller than the Optra sedan's: 8.8 cu. ft vs 12.4 cu. ft.; however, as hatchbacks go, with both 60/40 rear seatbacks folded down, the Optra5 offers 45.3 cu. ft. of cargo space, or roughly five times as much cargo-carrying capacity. As usual, this is where hatchbacks offer much more versatility over their sedan counterpart.
(CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE)
Though very similar by appearance, there are key differences that separate the interior styling of the sedan and the hatchback. The dash panel in the Optra5 has a thinner, horizontal brushed aluminum-like strip across the centre, and round air vents with metallic trim spotting the interesting dash panel that is made from soft-on-the-touch injection moulding. The general appearance of the interior dash of the Optra5 shows a little more flair over the flatter dash of the sedan. Also evident is that the trim pieces have more curves and angles as opposed to the more straight-line image of the sedan. As well, the seat fabric and speckled seat-insert, and door panel design shows more of the sportier side of the Optra5.
(CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE)
The dash does a terrific job of reducing glare, and has little-to-no surface contour changes, making cleaning an easy effort. Metallic trim pieces used throughout the interior are also seen in the steering wheel spokes, on the gated-automatic shifter; and the instrument panel, making a tasteful contrast by encircling the speedometer, standard equipment tachometer, and the fuel plus engine temperature gauges.
(CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE)
In addition to the classy interior design, there is a deep, open storage area at the bottom of the center console for storing cameras, phones, PDAs etc.; and there is an accompanying 12 volt power-point. The two cup-holders have a flip-over template between them that creates a smaller size or larger sized holder, depending upon the position. There is also an option on the LS model of an under-seat storage tray that slides from beneath the passenger seat for added convenience.
The driving impressions received from the Optra5 were favourable. The driver seat has a height adjustable cushion in the fore-and-aft regions, and the steering wheel position is made better with a lift-lower steering column, as opposed to a tilt column. Viewpoints are excellent up front, but diminish as you look rearward. The beltline for the car raises toward the rear, making the decklid higher than some might like. The C-pillars also reduce corner visibility some; however, I simply removed the standard adjustable rear seat headrests to gain on viewing space. Taller drivers might not find this to be an issue; however, shorter drivers may find backing up a problem because of the higher rear end.
(CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE)
Running on a fully independent four-wheel setup, the Optra5 is quite nimble. Having the wheels set deep into the corners helps reduce overhang, aiding greatly in its abilities in even routine driving. Using MacPherson struts, offset coil springs and a stabilizer bar at the front, and a MacPherson strut dual link suspension with coil springs and a stabilizer bar in the rear, the car demands little attention from its driver for confident handling. The speed-sensitive steering certainly helps to reduce the labour on the driver for slow-speed parking-lot turning, but allows for stiffer feedback for accurate turn-in at highway speeds without reducing driver comfort. Noteworthy is the car's wonderfully tight turning circle of 34.2 ft.
The clutch operation in the manual is very tight. The car bites well with little release of the clutch pedal, making at-speed shifting effortless. While the five-speed manual makes better use of the power from the engine, the four-speed automatic does not disappoint. In the automatic, shifting is remarkably smooth at all accelerator applications.
A thoughtful approach for the automatic, if not unnecessary, is its gated shifter design. It takes some getting used to for a standard-purpose car, but it does add some visual appeal. Just to toss in another added convenience, there is a hold button on the shifter panel, allowing to reduce gear-hunting in the transmission during hill-climbing or decent by preventing up-or-down shifts from the selected gear. The transmission already will automatically drop down a gear during hill decent to reduce speed on its own. A very nice touch. Also, in the gauge cluster, there is a display screen showing the current gear selected.
For around-town use and highway cruising (2400 rpm at 100 km/h, and 3000 rpm at 120 km/h in top gear), it's satisfactory. There has been extensive use of sound deadening material throughout, making casual driving conditions quite nice with the reduction in sound transfer from the firewall and wheel-wells. Even at a steady 3000 rpm, the engine is quiet and subdued for freeway cruising, however you will notice more noise above 4000 rpm under hard acceleration.
Though not necessarily sporty in nature, the Optra5 did provide adequate ability with a fun-to-drive personality. On long-haul trips, driver and passengers suffered no discomfort, and the derrière was quite pleased with the seats.
(CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE)
Its fuel consumption of 10.6 l/100 km (27 mpg) in the city, and 7.2 l/100 km (39 mpg) on the highway is average in its class, yet still reasonably thrifty. Overall, after nearly 10,000 kms of driving in both conditions, our Optra5 has received an average of over 31 mpg.
With upscale equipment like the above mentioned features, and excellent incentive programs combined with the lowest financing rates in the market, great 3 year / 60,000 km general warranty, and 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty, the Optra5 is one of the surest buys out there. ...and I didn't even mention the other features, like the in-glass antenna, sunglass holder halo-tray, backlit power switches...
...Let's just say it's definitely worth a look.