Chevrolet Optra Magnum [2007-2012] User Reviews

Exterior Nice exteriors , Looks like a Tiger.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Beige Interiors look rich , A/C very effective with automatic climate control , seats are very confortable.

Engine  Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Superb.

Ride Quality & Handling Excellent.

Final Words I have gone for Long Drives with my family many times in last 2 years. My Dad loves to drive as fast as possible but he can not enjoy much because as soon as it corsses 160, reaches 170 and about to cross 170, my Mom does not let him do it, she says no no no please or let me get down. Its such a great car that you will not feel it is at so high speed unless you see the speedometer. I Love my Car and when ever i change, I will choose to "CRUZE" the "Diesel  Rocket". Anybody who will Drive it , i am sure will Fall in luv with Chevy.

Areas of improvement Have some latest technology Music Systems. Its need of Time and Young Generation.

Exterior The looks are really good. It may not be as stylish as some other cars but looks grand.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Very spacious. Back seats are very comfortable. Only the middle seat is slightly uncomfortable because of the hand rest folded up. Stereo system is good but does not come with a USB port. AC has climate control and a big display screen. Steering controls are missing.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Engine is one of the best in terms of power and economy. It has superb power and gives the feeling of a petrol car. The gear shift is slighly hard. The second gear does not pull at low speeds and we have to shift to 1st, this is be quite an irritant in heavy traffic. The 2 horn buttons are small and hard. For Indian traffic you expect big buttons as we use them often. The indicator switch and wiper switches are interchanged compared to Maruti and other Japanese vehicles and therefore needs getting used to.

Ride Quality & Handling Ride quality is excellent and gives you a sense of control even at high speeds. Pick up is the best in its class. It just zooms on highways and overtaking is a joy. Being a big car, city driving may be difficult, but is an excellent vehicle for highways.

Final Words Best value for money. It has all the features of a luxury car - power, comfort, space. It is the best buy.

Areas of improvement Gear ratios for 1st and 2nd gear. Horn buttons to be bigger and smoother, USB port in stereo system.

I bought this car in 2007, right when it was introduced (the CRDi version). What impressed me most was the engine. A superb performance.

I had always liked its styling. Probably the best of the lot.

The interiors are also pretty good. I like the stylign inside. And finish too is high quality.

That said, my personal experience with it, after using it for close to 2 years, is also beyond my expectations. GM being new in India, I had thought their service might not yet be as good as Maruti. But my experience was the opposite. Their 24X7 service is quite good. And I found that the particular service center I go to, tries to go out of its way to satisfy me.

Sitting behind teh wheel is simply a pleasure. But what surprised me was, being a driving enthusuiast, that the rear seat is even better! The seat angle, the leg room, all give a plush feel.

Yes I did miss the sun roof (not being offered at that time in Magnum) & the climate control. I was told this was done to keep the price competetive. But for me, the engine more than made up for these things. the breath taking acceleration is something I cant have enough of.

A very good car. Being a Chevrolet, makes it even better!

I am planning to buy a car of C+ segment. I have read many reviews pointing good towards Optra Magnum. I also took a test ride of  optra magnum. It was really a wonder machiene. The engine was responding to my feet. It was a wonder testride in city as well as on highway.

 Immidiately I finallised the vehicle and negotiated the price with dealer ( Dynamic Motors , Chandigarh). He offered me the discounts (in writing) if I buy the vechicle before 29th feb 08. But when I got my loan sanctioned and gave the down payment by 25th feb 08 the dealer refused to give me the discounts and just said that it was a miscommunication from there side and can not give the discounts. This was the time when I felt that I was strangled by the dealer and no one to listen me.

There were no customer care No's or e-mail ID's and no GM officials. Undoubtedly the machiene is too good but wat about the customer service , what would be the after sales service if before sales service is of that type. Suggestions from my side to GM is to increase the service standards of their dealers. Presently dealers of GM does not stand apart from dealers of their competitiors.

Exterior the exterior of the car is highly classy. it might not be as fancy as a Honda civic or a Chevy Cruz, but the exterior is chrome finished and hence it looks very classy.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) An executive style interiors. the wood finish in the interior of the vehicles gives a rich class to the car. in terms of other features the lumbar support and the height adjustment feature is quiet beneficial for the driver as you can adjust ur seat according to way you need. the a/c blower is very good and the car gets cooled instantly. the cooler in the glove box is a very good feature as this will be useful for most of the people across india. I find that people are comparing the space of the car with honda city. If you notice, the car is actually equal to the size of Honda civic. im extremely suprised to see people comparing magnum with honda city. the car comes with leather apolustry and one point to mention is the leg room. even if ur tall u can find urself comfortable. you have lots of space to strech ur legs.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox The engine is 2.0 liter. it's extremely powerful even the skoda Octavia which was a competitive for magnum was not a 2.0 liter engine. the segments of cars when u take for comparison such as corolla altis diesel which is only 1.4 engine. if u compare it with fiat Linea, Linea is again an 1.3 liter engine. Verna or fiesta are no way in comparison with this car.even the new vento is only a 1.6 liter engine. you might ask a question about mileage. im an owner of the new magnum and to be frank im getting a mileage of 12 kms in the city. i'm sure that this will increase as the engine gets tuned.

The gear box is quiet amazing in no exaggeration. if u test drive the car u will know it.

Final Words The car is an amazing car. now the price being reduced it a car to think before booking another car in the same segment.

Areas of improvement GM needs marketing!!!

I actually thought of doing a road trial for Optra Magnum after reading reviews in carwale.

To my surprise car did excellnetly well and I concluded that all the reviews were honest and to the point.

Finally I decided to buy an Optra LT against Skoda. As I myself is a General Manager in an automobile MNC, you can understand how many cars I would have driven before arriving at this decision.

With almost 99.9999% pros, my car has 1~2ppm cons. The noise during rough road conditions/bumps/potholes from below front space LH side is there since day1 and I know there is no solution to it.

As a manufacturing guy I know limitations of fit & finish + material / alternative material being used on line to continue running of production line. I only wish GM guys can control material quality a bit for Shock absorbers and door trims.

The fuel economy of my car is 18kmpl and considering this monster of 2000cc I can only say WOW!!

On styling front- if they could better the cat eyes front lamps by making it more bigger, giving a bit serious look to front facia will help in positioning the car as more elegant.

Applaude to GM for providing such marvel.   

I like the car very much.. bought in Aug 2007(high end - LT).. now driven 12K kms..

ABS works superb..You can feel the thumps...

Drive like a snake..at any speed!(meaning when you like to overtake..go on.... no second thoughts....)..

Max speed reached so far is 160km. Be aware of your trye speed ratings.. T = max190. V =210kms

Things to have in this car(missing now).. Steerring wheel reach adjust, Good central locking (Auto windows up!)

Have any of you felt that the tyre is running flat(like punctured feeling).. Steering wheel giving some vibrations(Not trye wobbling / Sterring wheel shake --while ur tyre is unbalanced)

For 5 people its conjugate and for long drives above 300km is not much advised as you will not feel very comfortable after that many KM's. Nice car for daily use, empale space for luggage have nice road present and a nice car.