A mixed bag, but lots of car for your cash

The Orlando is a big, spacious seven-seater with lots of equipment and temptingly low prices. It comes with Chevys Five Year Promise, a package of warranty, servicing and breakdown cover which protects you from most things but not the depreciation thats likely to be the Orlandos biggest downfall.

Unusually, each model in the range doesnt just build on the one below. There are two mid-range spec levels, each with its own unique trim, meaning some premium gear like sat-nav becomes available below the top-line price. You get that on the SR model, which also has cruise control and dual-zone climate. Alternatively, the Active model has bigger alloys and automatic wipers and headlamps; both are priced the same. Our test car, meanwhile, was an Allure. At the top of the main range, this includes leather, parking sensors, sat-nav and bigger alloys than ever.

Trying to work out all the engine options is a moderately exhausting process, but the main thing is that theres a choice of 1.6 petrol units (with and without turbo) and 1.6 and 2.0 HDi diesels. The latter include various power outputs and, on the 1.6, the option of an e-HDi micro-hybrid stop/start system. The higher-powered version of the 2.0 HDi is reserved for automatics, except on the Allure where you can also have it in manual form. Then theres the GT, which gets a 2.2 HDi with big-time pace.