Buoyed By Wave
I needed a test vehicle to drive during March break and General Motors had two available — a 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche and a 2007 Pontiac Wave SE sedan.
With regular unleaded gasoline selling for over $1 a litre, it was a no-brainer.
I took the Wave, reserving the Avalanche for a later date when — I hoped — the oil companies would have stopped playing their supply-and-demand games and the price per litre would be more reflective of today's lower costs for a barrel of crude.
So the Wave it was — a clone of the Chevy Aveo sedan, but a vehicle exclusive to Canada.
I've driven Wave sedans for an hour or two on a couple of other occasions, but this was my first chance to spend a full week with the subcompact four-door made in the same South Korean factory that produces the popular hatchback Waves and Aveos.
Overall, I was quite impressed.
What really stands out is how quiet this car is on the highway — not at all what you'd expect from a little econobox.
Wave's inline four-cylinder engine puts out only 103 horsepower and 107 lb.-ft. of torque, but it doesn't sound like it's working all that hard at highway speeds. Cruising at 130-140 km/h in this car is not out of the question if that's what it takes to go with the flow.
I also was impressed with Wave's fuel economy. I've read complaints that the car doesn't match its EnerGuide numbers (few cars do, in the real world), but those unhappy motorists must be driving models with the four-speed automatic transmission. Our test car came with the five-speed manual, which, although a bit stiff, shifted smoothly and precisely and returned more than respectable fuel economy (see data box).
The stick also gave this Wave a little more giddyup than versions equipped with the automatic, which — ahem — are not the fastest ponies in the herd. But our test car's acceleration from 0-100 km/h was in the 10.0-second range and 80-120 km/h passing was brisk, thanks to the fact Wave's peak torque is delivered in the upper RPM range. However, this means that at slower speeds, when merging onto superhighways or climbing hills, you'll have to be willing to row through the gears to find one that delivers enough grunt to get the job done.
Because of this, towing with the Wave is not recommended.
Wave's suspension is MacPherson struts with offset coil springs and a stabilizer bar up front, and a trailing arm, torsion beam axle with coil springs in the rear. It delivers a softer ride than I'd like, but one that matches the car's rather sedate handling. Most owners won't even notice — this is not a car for drivers with sporting pretensions.
Wave's individual front buckets are covered in a rugged black cloth weave, and hard surfaces are black vinyl. The seats themselves are comfortable, but only the driver benefits from a seat-mounted, fold-down armrest. And the cupholders are rather laughable — especially if you like your drinks large. Press a plastic panel and twin cupholders pop out of the centre binnacle, but because of the position of the shift lever they can't pop out quite far enough for taller cups to clear the heater controls. Oh well, a little less coffee is probably better for you anyhow.
Wave sedan provides theatre seating for passengers in back. The 60/40 split rear bench is quite comfortable for two but could benefit from a fold-down centre armrest and more than one cupholder.
Interior volume is a little bigger than Honda Fit, but not quite as generous as Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris or Hyundai Accent.
The trunk is a reasonable size for a small car, with a volume of 350 litres, and longer items can be accommodated thanks to the folding rear seat.
For $15,450 Wave SE comes well equipped, including power windows/locks/mirrors, manual air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, tilt steering and cruise control. Unfortunately, to upgrade the power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes, Delphi four-channel ABS is optional in a package that also provides driver and front passenger side impact air bags. At $960 for the so-called security package, it's money well spent.
The same can't be said of the car's $1,095 "Wi" package, which includes 15-in. aluminum wheels, a trunk-mounted spoiler, six-speaker sound system with steering wheel audio controls and an Apple iPod.
Wave SE sedan is a reasonable package at a reasonable price and benefits from a dealer network with outlets everywhere across the country.
You mostly got it right, Pontiac, except for one small thing.
For the last time: get rid of those cheesy red instrument panel lights. I know they're you're trademark (like a few other manufacturers), but please! The 1980s aren't just yesterday, they're ancient history.
2007 Pontiac Wave SE Sedan
Base price: $15,450
As tested: $18,590 (includes power sunroof, $985; security package with driver and front passenger side airbags and anti-lock brakes, $960; Wi special edition with 15-inch aluminum wheels and P185/55R 15-in. blackwall tires, trunk mounted spoiler, six-speaker sound system, auxiliary steering wheel-mounted audio controls and Apple iPod, $1,095; federal A/C tax, $100)
Destination charge: $1,045
Fuel test: 7.0L/100 km (40 mpg) in highway-city driving
Fuel required: Regular unleaded
Layout: Front engine, FWD 4-door sedan
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 km comprehensive; 5 years/160,000 km powertrain; 6 years/160,000 km corrosion perforation; 8 years/130,000 km coverage on specified major emission components (catalytic converters and powertrain control modules); 24-hour roadside assistance
Performance: B+
Ride: B+
Handling: B
Front seat: A-
Rear seat: A-
Trunk: B
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