Chevrolet has been on something of a revival in recent years. It’s now part of the same GM family as Vauxhall and operates as the company’s cheap and cheerful marque.

A bit of a comedown for a brand once synonymous with sporting prowess, it has now taken over from Daewoo and produces models such as the Spark city car, Cruze saloon and, tested here, Orlando people-carrier.

It’s fair to say the Orlando is, perhaps, the best Chevvy on offer. It’s a striking ‘crossover’ vehicle which offers accommodation for seven people and is designed for people who, as Chevrolet puts it, don’t follow the crowd.

Chevrolet deserves credit. There are a lot of people-carriers around these days, but this company has triumphed in two areas.

It’s not only competitively priced, offering arguably the cheapest way into a seven-seater, but it is a very distinctive-looking model. Pretty? Maybe. Good-looking? Possibly. It’s certainly not a car you could ever mistake for something else. Orlando is a big box MPV, although you’d never guess thanks to its streamlined profile.

The car’s designers have done a good job of disguising its size. As a genuine seven-seater, the Orlando, based on the Cruze saloon, is a rare beast.

Discounting lumbering 4x4s and those cars with five seats and two extra hidden in the boot floor for children, it’s hard to find something these days that doesn’t cost arm and leg money but delivers seven seats.

Chevrolet’s products are priced competitively and tend to offer a higher standard specification than its more established rivals.

This is true of the Orlando, with prices starting at the same level as a well-equipped family hatchback. Factor in a choice of petrol and diesel plus manual and auto gearboxes and, for cost-conscious families, this big Chevrolet starts to make sense.

A key element of the Orlando is accessibility. Apart from the asking price, this also includes getting into the car’s third row of seats. Let’s face it, if you can’t do that – even as an adult – then the car has failed in its role as people-carrier. Thankfully the Orlando delivers, with even adult passengers able to tolerate more than just a quick trip to the pub.

The same is true for occupants of the two regular rows of seats – middle occupants will struggle to find fault, while those up front are blessed with plenty of head and elbow room. The lofty driving position is also welcome, as it makes spotting that distant supermarket car park space much easier.

Aside from the abundance of cabin storage options – always a good thing in an MPV – the Orlando’s cabin ambience is pleasingly upmarket, as is the quality of the car’s trim and seat fabrics.

At about this point there’s usually a catch, be it the car’s asking price or driving dynamics. The former’s already been covered, and you’ll be pleased to know that the latter is pretty impressive too.

Engine choice is split between 1.8-litre petrol in 141bhp trim and 2.0-litre diesel in a choice of 130 and 163 horsepower.

Realistically, the latter makes the most sense. If money is tight, the lower running costs of the diesel motor are hard to ignore. CO2 emissions for the low power diesel are a reasonable 159g/km and 186g/km for the high power model. Fuel consumption is 47.1mpg and 40.4mpg respectively.

Diesel refinement is also hard to ignore, mainly because it’s so good. The engines are quiet yet responsive, and only make themselves heard when you accelerate hard. The high power motor’s laid back attitude to performance makes for a relaxing experience on long motorway journeys, and there always appears to be enough in reserve when you need it.

Saying all that, don’t be too hasty to write off the petrol alternative. Fine for low mileage motoring, refinement is also good and it’s rare that you’ll be wanting more performance during everyday driving duties. Factor in the option of a six-speed auto gearbox to replace the six-speed manual for both fuel types and the Orlando proves itself to be competent all-rounder on the road.

Chevrolet’s big people-carrier also proves to be a good value proposition, thanks in part to the generous levels of standard kit. From the decent amount of safety equipment to the wide range of thoughtfully chosen convenience items such as the audio unit, the Orlando’s long list of toys – irrespective of trim level – will put many rival offerings to shame.

Having started out as a brand offering cut-price cars for those on a budget, Chevrolet’s cars and the company’s strategy have steadily evolved into a business model that should have the more established makers worried. Value for money remains a core selling point, but time has seen Chevrolet’s various products mature into genuine contenders.

The Orlando is just the latest to benefit from this strategy, and it shows in the way it drives and the way it’s built.

Chevrolet Orlando 1.8 LS:- PRICE: £16,395 for the entry-level model, up to £20,395.

ENGINE: A 1,896cc unit generating 139bhp via the front wheels.

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 115mph, 0-60mph in 11.2 seconds.

COSTS: urban (town) 29.1mpg; extra-urban (country) 47.9mpg; combined 38.7mpg.

EMISSIONS: 172g/km.

INSURANCE: Group 10.

WARRANTY: Three years, 60,000 miles.

Steve’s ratings: Performance: 3/5 Economy: 3/5 Ride/Handling: 2/5 Space/Practicality: 4/5 Equipment: 3/5 Security/Safety: 4/5 Value For Money: 4/5 OVERALL: 3/5