Owner reviews for the Chevrolet Matiz
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Overall rating 4/5The Chevrolet Matiz is a compact city car designed with everyday simplicity in mind. It's known for easy manoeuvring – especially in busy town settings – and combines low running costs with a surprisingly roomy interior for its size.
West Drayton
Southend-On-Sea
Milton Keynes
Bristol
Wednesbury
Manchester
No edits, no filters—just real feedback from verified vehicle owners to help you make confident decisions.
Overall rating 4/5The Chevrolet Matiz first arrived in the UK as a Daewoo and was rebranded to Chevrolet in 2005, with production continuing until 2009. It is affordable, small, and practical with a five-door hatchback design that offers value and space. Its main strengths are ease of parking, low fuel consumption from 0.8-litre or 1.0-litre petrol engines, and a basic but spacious interior, making it a budget-friendly and functional choice for city driving.
The Chevrolet Matiz was fitted with features considered standard for its time, such as driver airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners. ABS was available on some later models. Advanced driver aids don’t feature as standard.
The Matiz comes with either a 0.8-litre three-cylinder petrol or a 1.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. There are no diesel or hybrid options. Both engines prioritise economy and ease of driving in town rather than strong motorway performance.
The Matiz has basic radio/CD units, manual air conditioning on higher trims, and electric windows on select models. There is no touchscreen, Bluetooth, or advanced infotainment system, resulting in fewer complicated electronics for used car buyers to worry about.
Fuel economy ranges between 49 and 54mpg depending on engine size and driving conditions. The 0.8-litre engine is more economical. Official CO2 emissions start at 119g/km for the 0.8-litre model and rise to around 150g/km for the 1.0-litre version, which is higher than in more modern city cars.
Look for a full service history, especially proof of cambelt changes every 40,000 miles. Alternators are a known weak point, so test the battery on a long drive. Cabin plastics may show wear but are generally tough. Consider the AA Vehicle Inspection service for added peace of mind.
The Matiz has above-average reliability for this type of car, particularly when well maintained. The mechanical parts are simple, proven, and easy to source. However, watch for scheduled servicing and occasional alternator or electrical issues that become more likely with age.