Behind either steel wheels or five-spoke rims, large front discs look the part while rear drums are more functional than
stylish. ABS is available.
Other safety features include driver and front passenger airbags, as well as front safety belt pretensioners, rear seat centre lap-shoulder belts, and the LATCH child seat retention system as standard equipment. Also available are head curtain side airbags for front- and rear-seat outboard passengers, plus OnStar with Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN).
I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade by talking about safety prior to performance, but such is the way I laid out the review. Both LT1 and LT2 trim levels pump up output over the 143-horsepower 2.2-litre four-cylinder by 29-horsepower that comes in the base LS, or more exactly the larger displacement 2.4-litre four makes a maximum
of 172-horsepower at 6,200 rpm. Torque, which is as least as, and probably a more important specification with this vehicle, being that it has the ability to carry five large adults and their luggage, moves up from the LS model's 150 lb-ft to 162 lb-ft in the LT, a gain of 12. I'm looking forward to trying out the larger displacement engine, as it should make an already adequate performer much better.
It should be mentioned that GM's Ecotec four-cylinder engine lineup has been upgraded to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), something that was immediately noticeable during acceleration. The pistons, for instance, feature a polymer coating and skirt design to reduce noise during cold startup, while a new, two-layer acoustic engine cover has been added, which reduces noise.
 |
| Other safety features include driver and front passenger airbags, as well as front safety belt pretensioners, rear seat centre lap-shoulder belts, and the LATCH child seat retention system as standard equipment. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Other safety features include driver and front passenger airbags, as well as front safety belt pretensioners, rear seat centre lap-shoulder belts, and the LATCH child seat retention system as standard equipment. Also available are head curtain side airbags for front- and rear-seat outboard passengers, plus OnStar with Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN).
I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade by talking about safety prior to performance, but such is the way I laid out the review. Both LT1 and LT2 trim levels pump up output over the 143-horsepower 2.2-litre four-cylinder by 29-horsepower that comes in the base LS, or more exactly the larger displacement 2.4-litre four makes a maximum
 |
| GM's Ecotec four-cylinder engine lineup has been upgraded to reduce noise, vibration and harshness, something that was immediately noticeable during acceleration. (Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
It should be mentioned that GM's Ecotec four-cylinder engine lineup has been upgraded to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), something that was immediately noticeable during acceleration. The pistons, for instance, feature a polymer coating and skirt design to reduce noise during cold startup, while a new, two-layer acoustic engine cover has been added, which reduces noise.