Daewoo Motors was the first company to launch world class cars in India when the Indian economy opened up sometime in 1994. Then Daewoo launched the Cielo which at that time was a very competent product but then lots of car companies launched various car models that boasted superior performance to the Cielo. Suddenly the Cielo was found lagging behind other cars on the roads and Daewoo had to upgrade the engine and launch a new improved Cielo.
The problem with the Nexia is that it looks too much like the Cielo. The Cielo’s looks are not going to make you whistle but it does’nt make you look away either. However, I personally feel that the front bonnet is too long and overall the car looks a little bulky. However, the front end with the Daewoo corporate girlle makes the car look smart as does the rear spoiler. Thankfully, due to the Daewoo corporate girlle one is able to differentiate between the Nexia and the Cielo.
Open the doors and suddenly my eyes widened and my mouth fell in awe. The first word that came out of my mouth was WOW!! The Interiors of the Nexia are light years ahead of the Cielo. The light grey and brown shades of the interiors have been executed brilliantly. Fake wood of a dark brown walnut finish has been set in light brown dashboards and the seat fabric and door panels are in marble grey colour. The entire feel of the interior is of luxury and you feel as if you are sitting in a much more expensive car.
The instrumentation panel is simple in normal grey but the steering feel has a great feel to it and it feels wonderful to grip it as does the gear knob. The fantastic fog lights are standard and the switch is located very conveniently on top of the central console with the hazard warning lights. Ergonomically the car is a delight. Its very easy to find a perfect driving position and the positioning of the foot pedals-steering wheel-gear lever is perfect. The seats are very comfortable providing good under thigh support.
The rear of the car has acres of leg room like the Cielo. The rear seats are wide and comfortable with a perfectly angled back rest. Space is one of the very strong points of the Cielo and the Nexia gives space to its owners with a feeling of luxury. You could travel in the Nexia the whole day and still come out feeling fresh as ever. The cabin is well insulated from the out side noise and this adds to the feeling of luxury and comfort.
Coming to the heart of the car....its engine. Daewoo have done a thorough transplant of the engine. The output remains the same as the Cielo at 1498 c.c. but this is now a Double Overhead Cam (DOHC) engine with 16 valves displacing 92 bhp@5600r pm and a torque of 133Nm@3400rpm. The DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder layout has given the Nexia what the Cielo always should have had- PERFORMANCE! Shift into first and the car lunges forward zooming ahead with a zing. This is the car Daewoo should have launched in the first place. The car zooms to 100 kmph in no time and suddenly a lot of self styled hot performing mid size saloons are left behind in your rear view mirror. The Nexia is a heavy car at 1088 kgs and this engine does a wonderful job at hauling this heavy weight. However, due to the huge dimensions of the car, its not a car you would try making sudden lane changes. The Nexia does not take to sudden lane changes and spirited rash driving easily. There is nothing wrong with the car but the heavy weight and dimensions take away some of the fun of driving it.
Ride quality is superb with the car sailing over bad roads without making too much of a issue. The tyres of course help in this aspect. The Nexia comes with the widest tyres in its class. The fat 14 inches Bridgestone Protenza tyres give the car its superb ride quality and full marks to Daewoo for not cutting costs in this respect. The disadvantage of fatter wider tyres is lower fuel efficiency and kudos to Daewoo for not giving in like many other car companies have.
However, despite the fatter tyres the fuel efficiency is pretty good. I have’nt lost my mind guys!! The Nexia returned about 8 kmpl in city with AC on which is as good as the IKon and Accent’s fuel efficiency . I really wonder why people say that the Nexia and Cielo have poor fuel efficiency when the mileage is as good as that of the other cars. On the highway the car without AC returned me about 14 kmpl which is better than the Accent’s 13.25 and as good as the Ikon’s 13.95 kmpl.( I have driven both the Accent and Ikon as a few of my friend’s own these cars).
The Nexia is a very competent car to have. It has good performance and is a fun to drive car , something which the Accent does’nt have. The Ikon is of course a better performing car but then its much more narrower and lighter then the Nexia. Apart from the fun to drive factor the Nexia is a very comfortable car with acres of leg, knee and shoulder room. The only problem is it looks too much like the Cielo and since we are seeing the Cielo since 1995, the looks don’t make us feel as if we are seeing a new car model.
Its a good car to buy if you are on the budget and want a mid size car. It will bring a smile on your face when you will drive it and will keep you smiling if your sitting in it.
If only the Nexia was not having the same body as the Cielo....
IF ONLY....