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The steering feels well weighted and precise, with no dead spots around the center. The handling is similarly obedient, the MacPherson strut / independent dual-link keeping up their respective ends. Raised obstacles like humps are absorbed well, but depressed ones like potholes and highway joints subject the cabin to quite a crash. Where the Optra shines is the ownership proposition. The introductory price was quite below the competitions', and with the new excise tax regulations, Chevy has cut them back even more. What you get is a well-equipped car. Everything necessary and then some are on board the Optra, including ABS, power everything, electric trunk release, 60/40 split rear seatback, headrests and 3-point seatbelts for all five occupants. There's also one CD allocation for each, with the 5-CD in-dash changer. A tactile remote audio control is mounted on the steering wheel. Panel gaps are tight, and there were no squeaks, rattles or funny noises from our unit. Aside from the shrill chirping from the keyless entry system. If the price wasn't attractive enough, that includes all maintenance requirements for the first two years, including all consumables, such as motor oil. So do we have the perfect four-door compact, then? For A to B motoring, the Optra is absolutely competent. If it can be faulted for anything, it's that the approach is too serious. There’s no VTEC this, 2.0-liter that—it’s no fun at all. |
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