About Chevrolet Orlando
Chevrolet tried its luck in the European minivan segment with the 2010 Chevrolet Orlando, but unfortunately, that model came at the wrong time.
While the world financial crisis still affected automakers, GM considered using its expertise in producing minivans and trying to sell them in Europe. As a result, it launched the 2010 Chevrolet Orlando. The family-oriented vehicle, with room for up to seven passengers, was developed on the same platform as the Chevrolet Cruze. While its sedan sibling enjoyed good European sales, the Orlando struggled to find customers. Unlike American buyers, Europeans were less attracted by MPVs. Furthermore, those looking for larger, family-oriented vehicles craved mostly for crossovers and SUVs. Last but not least, the car came during a time when most other Chevrolet-branded vehicles from Europe were withdrawn from the EU.
While it wasn’t a crossover, the 2010 Chevrolet Orlando boasted a tall front fascia that suggested a vehicle built to endure unpaved roads. Its big and swept-back headlights had the turn signals placed on their lower sides. Between them, the automaker installed a single-slat grille where the bow-tie badge took center stage. Lower, on the apron, customers could order the MPV fitted with two round fog lamps that flanked a honeycomb mesh grille sporting a silver rock-sliding-like silver trim at the bottom.
From its profile, the only thing that differentiated the 2010 Chevrolet Orlando from a real crossover was the ground clearance. However, the overall two-volume shape with angular lines and enlarged fenders created a muscular look for the vehicle. Its sculptured doors featured body-colored grab handles and door mirror caps. On the lower side, Chevrolet placed black side sills that matched the color of the moldings that adorned the wheel arches. At the back, the automaker installed a set of taillights that emerged from the D-posts onto the wide tailgate. A silver trim placed at the lower side of the plastic wrap-around rear bumper echoed the decoration installed underneath the front apron.
Inside, the minivan featured high-mounted seats for all passengers. At the front, a pair of bucket seats with individual armrests supported by their occupants. Between them, the 2010 Chevrolet Orlando featured a sloped center console that housed the gear stick and the HVAC control panel. Higher, on the center stack, Chevrolet placed the stereo. Above it, customers could opt for a navigation system fitted with a color display. Fronting the driver was an unusually-designed instrument panel featuring individual clusters for the speedometer and tachometer that flanked an LCD for the car’s onboard computer and the odometer. On the upper area, another separate cluster housed the fuel level and the coolant temperature gauges. The second row of seats had a split-folding (60/40) bench seat, wide enough for three adults. Finally, the last row consisted of two jump seats that could house adults, albeit mostly for short distances due to lack of legroom.
Under its skin, the 2010 Chevrolet Orlando had the same platform as the Chevrolet Cruze. Its front McPherson struts and the rear twisting beam allowed the vehicle to be comfortable enough and still have low production costs. Under the hood, the automaker installed a choice of diesel and gasoline four-cylinder engines. They were paired with six-speed manual transmissions or six-speed automatics. Despite the crossover-like stance, the Orlando was exclusively available as a front-wheel-drive vehicle.