The Chevrolet Sail may have a conservative design but the subcompact sedan still looks impressive overall.
CDN photos/Brian J. Ochoa
With the competition in the subcompact category (B segment) expected to heat up once the country’s new tax scheme takes effect later this year, Chevrolet made sure it will be a contender.
So last year, the American carmaker introduced the Sail subcompact sedan to the local auto market. And so far, the vehicle has been welcomed well.
At first glance, one would figure that the bow-tie brand didn’t put too much on its exterior. In fact, from the outside, the Sail sports one of the most simple designs.
Amazingly, though, it is through this simplicity that the Sail stands out.
Up front, the subcompact sedan features swept-back headlights, a sculpted hood, fog lamps and Chevy’s signature dual-port grille. The combination is conservative compared to its counterparts, but it is enough to satisfy a car enthusiast. The car’s rear looks a bit more aggressive with its distinct taillight design.
Adding spice to its straightforward design are 16-inch gunmetal alloy wheels for the top-of-the-line variant LTZ. The LTZ also gets a sunroof—the first model in its segment to offer such feature.
Inside, the conservativeness continues with a dashboard that is laid out practically.
But the LTZ variant offers an impressive nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system. that has phone-mirroring, natural voice recognition, and Bluetooth streaming audio. It also has built-in applications, something that will appeal to the younger generation.
The Sail has 16 storage compartments, a USB port, power outlet and a trunk capable of loading 366 liters of cargo.
Standard safety features include anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, and driver and passenger airbags.
The Sail comes in 1.3 LT MT, 1.5 LT AT, and 1.5 LTZ AT variants. The 1.3-liter powerplant produces 99 horsepower and 127 newton meter of torque.
The 1.5 engine, which we tested, gives more decent numbers of 108 HP and 141 NM.
Will it stand a chance against its more famous and sporty-looking rivals? We believe so. Because at the end of the day, nothing can go wrong with a simple but functional design.