The new Chevrolet Sail, introduced in the 12th Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) last April, is the American brand’s entry into the subcompact sedan segment. We had a test unit for several days, and took it up for a spin to cool Tagaytay. Let’s see how it fared.
Design: 3.5/5.0
There is no mistaking the signature golden bowtie emblem nor the distinctive dual port black grille on the nose of the Chevrolet Sail. The front is characterized by swept back headlights and built-in fog lamps. A black B-pillar on the LTZ gives an unbroken side profile that complements the bold character lines. This is echoed in the 16-inch gun metal alloy wheels for a more aggressive look. The LTZ also features a sunroof with slide and tilt functions, useful for quickly dissipating heat and allowing fresh air into the cabin.
The color scheme is carried into the jet black interior, with touches of chrome and graphite silver metallic trim. Instead of a full armrest console, the Sail only has cupholders behind the gear stick.
The brochure lists seven available colors: peppy orange, blue sky, synacuse, black met kettle, bright white solid, galaxy silver, and summit white. The official press material points out that the Sail will keep its luster over time due to 107 high-standard painting and five anti-corrosion exterior coating processes with nine anti-corrosion layers.
Hardware: 4.0/5.0
This premium variant is powered by a 1.5-liter DOHC D-VVT engine that delivers 108.8 PS at 6,000 rpm, and 141 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The suspension system features a McPherson strut type with stabilizer bar in front, and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension. Brakes are front discs and rear drums.
The infotainment system consists of a nine-inch HD touch screen display and a four-speaker audio system. It runs on the Android operating system and has built-in Waze, Spotify, and Google Play Store apps. Bluetooth connectivity allows audio streaming as well as smartphone integration. Controls are built into the steering wheel for safe and convenient access.
Safety equipment include three-point ELR seatbelts, driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, high-mount stop lamp, child locks, ISOFIX child restraints, speed sensing door locks, anti-theft alarm system, driver seatbelt reminder, and rear parking assist sensors.
User Experience: 4.0/5.0
We drove the Chevrolet Sail 1.5 LTZ AT up to Tagaytay for our annual summer outing with a full load of four passengers. The spacious interior ensured that everyone had enough head and leg room to be comfortable the entire trip. Also notable was the large trunk compartment which easily accommodated all our overnight bags plus the extra cargo we took on after hitting the fruit stands on our way down.
On the hilly terrain of Tagaytay, the Sail gamely took on some steep inclines without feeling underpowered, thanks to its 140 Nm of pulling power. Downhills were also manageable with the active select manual override for the automatic transmission.
We thoroughly enjoyed the multimedia infotainment system, particularly since it had our favorite apps—Waze for navigation, and Spotify for music streaming—built-in. No worries about distracted driving either, as the driver could answer his phone via Bluetooth hands-free connectivity.
Possibly the only thing that really weirded us out was the awkward placement of the power window buttons, which were located under the aircon controls on the center panel. This means only the driver or the front passenger had access to the buttons to open or close the car windows.
Value: 4.0/5.0
The most premium variant of the Chevrolet Sail, the 1.5 LTZ AT, is priced very competitively at PHP 858,888. The warranty coverage of five years or 100,000 kms (whichever comes first) assures worry-free ownership for Sail buyers. Another layer of assurance is the automatic enrolment in 24/7 emergency roadside support three years, with the option to renew thereafter.
What’s Hot:
– Good price point for premium variant
– Infotainment system with built-in apps
What’s Not:
– Weird location for power window controls
– Only cupholders on the bare center console tray
Bottomline:
Full-featured yet affordable, its badge carries over a century of car manufacturing heritage.
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE June 2017
Reviewed by Maribelle Alba with Amy Christine Giray • Photos by Ronel Bautista