If you've been reading our monthly sales reports (
link), you already know of our market's fascination with people carriers. In fact, UVs form the one segment that continues to record impressive growth numbers in a damp economic environment. Now, Chevrolet wants a piece of that lucrative pie.
After the Sail hatchback & sedan, the Enjoy is the 3rd Chinese product to be launched in less than a year. This MPV has been developed by the GM-SAIC joint venture (China) and was first unveiled in India at the Auto Expo 2012 (
link). The Enjoy has its origins in the Wuling Hongguang, also known as the CN100. It will be available in 7 & 8 seater configurations, with only the lowest variant getting the 8 seater layout. Just like the Ertiga, there will be a choice of 2 engines; a 1.3L diesel and a 1.4L petrol.
The Enjoy isn't positioned as a "typical" 7 seater people-mover like the Innova and Xylo are. As
Vid6639 points out, those who need the larger 7-seater MUVs won't deviate; the smaller MPVs aren't a substitute to a spacious full-size UV that can easily accommodate 7 adults. Instead, the target customer is the middle aged 35 - 45 year old buyer who usually opts for a B+ hatch or C segment sedan. Such a customer isn't going to use the 3rd row of seats every day. At best, it's once a week...the kind of car owner who needs a 7 seater mostly for weekends and outstation trips. It's quite clear that the Enjoy is positioned as a
sedan alternative and priced as such too. As if to confirm the same, GM has no plans to discontinue their current MUV offering, the Tavera. The two vehicles will happily co-exist at different price points.
The Enjoy has a monocoque construction (unlike the body-on-frame Tavera, Xylo, Grande etc.). However, beating the trend of monocoque UVs, the Chevrolet sends power to its rear wheels.
A 3 year / 100,000 km warranty on the Enjoy is standard. As an add-on option, Chevrolet also offers their
Chevy Promise for 3 years / 45,000 km. This covers the cost of everything for this time period, clutch pressure plates, brake pads, regular servicing, consumables and labour. Even wiper blades and bulbs are covered. The only items that are
not included are the tyres, battery and any accident repair or detailing work.
The design is inoffensive. It's rather straightforward, with the front three-quarter view being the best:
Flat rear looks Xylo-esque. It gives the impression of a breadbox! Ubiquitous chrome strip? Check:
Parked between an Innova and a Tavera, the Enjoy looks smaller, sleeker and well....different. We attracted a lot of attention while shooting this pic. Some folk referred to it as the "
new Innova"
Typical MPV styling:
Sedan-like wraparound headlamps:
Panel gaps are acceptable in some areas...
...but inordinately wide in others. This picture is of the rear hatch:
Grab-type door handles with no garish chrome add-ons. The keyhole could have been integrated better:
Roof mounted antenna:
Thin 175 section
Gitivan tyres sourced from China. 6-spoke 14" rims look a size too small. 15" would have been preferred:
Old fashioned tail-lamps. No fog lamps at the rear:
3rd row occupants get butterfly windows:
The top-end LTZ variant is equipped with dual front airbags, ABS / EBD, captain seats and leather upholstery:
A closer look at the rear spoiler:
2 reverse sensors - important in a vehicle of this size, and one with undersized ORVMs:
Underside-mounted spare is a full size steel wheel. Diesel / Petrol ground clearance is 161 / 165 mm respectively. That's significantly lesser than the Ertiga's 185 mm rating:
As people carriers go, this image provides a neat comparison:
The petrol Enjoy we drove wore a maroon body shade:
ORVMs are too small for an MPV:
Look familiar? One of the GJ-registered test mules (
spotted several times on Team-BHP) was in the vicinity: