Chevrolet Epica 2.0 Review
Six is the number

The choice of large affordable cars in Singapore is, to be honest, not many. With most Singaporeans flocking towards Japanese brands, judged by the number of Camrys, Accords and Teana/Cefiros out there, it makes purchasing a large sedan quite a relatively easy affair compared to the crowded mid-sized sedan market where choices are limitless.

If you want comfort and refinement, you go for the Camry. If you want a more powerful engine, you go for the Accord. And if you want a smooth V6, you go for the Teana. Life was perfect back then, the choices clear and buyers happy, until General Motors came along and introduced their Chevrolet Epica to the market.

The Chevrolet Epica first landed on our shores in 2007 with hopes of the Epica snatching a pie of this large sedan market as the car is the only 2.0-litre sedan to sport an inline-6 engine, with a competitive pricing to boot.

Sadly, the Epica did not gain as much popularity as its Japanese counterparts. Perhaps it was the Chevrolet brand, or the Daewoo ancestry that kept Singaporeans away. Whichever the case, it did not stop General Motors from trying once more with a new facelifted Epica.

The 2009 Epica has undergone a minor facelift to keep it looking refreshed. The front now sports a new 2-piece chrome grille with the Chevrolet logo placed in between. A pair of “flame-inspired” headlight, similar to the headlight design of the BMW 5-series, provides some level of style to an otherwise bland design. The rear design has changed from circular tail lamps to the current semi-circular lamps, and the previous chrome bar running across the boot replaced by a clear red plastic strip. Other than that, you will be hard pressed to tell the difference. Even the interior design remains essentially the same but nonetheless, impressive.

The Epica’s interior oozes class and refinement, extruded from the extensive use of chrome on the doors, audio knobs and topped with excellent build quality and finish. Despite its Korean ancestry, the interior is as good, if not better than their Japanese counterparts. Even the leather seats that came with it the car is inviting - soft to the touch and very comfortable to seat in. The rear is cavernous, which can definitely swallow three adult passengers in relative comfort and with ample legroom.