The estate version of the Chevrolet Cruze has a trick hidden not far up its sleeve that delivers real peace of mind.

At first glance this is a large load lugger of a car, built solely to shift people and sizeable amounts of luggage.

That is, of course, true, but the surprise comes when you push the Cruze on country roads, because this is a car that handles as nimbly and precisely as an altogether lighter, more agile and less practical vehicle.

Chevrolet claims that it used experience gained during its successful World Touring Car Championship programme to develop the car’s ride and handling and it’s hard to argue with the outcome.

That’s not to say the third member of the growing Cruze family is perfect, because it is not, but with prices starting at about £15,400, this is a value-for-money package not to be sneezed at.

The Cruze Station Wagon comes with a choice of three trim levels, four engines, and standard equipment that includes air conditioning, electric front windows, and remote central locking across the range.

The test car, in mid-range specification which adds the likes of cruise control and rear parking sensors, was powered by a new 1.7-litre diesel engine with start-stop technology — the most efficient Cruze engine yet.

Developing 130 horsepower, the turbocharged engine is punchy enough to deliver surprisingly sporty performance while also providing a real-world, full-tank range of more than 600 miles.

While long-distance cruising is important, estate car buyers tend to have space at the top of their agenda, and on that front the Cruze has lots. The smartly-trimmed cabin has loads of space for five large adults and the loadspace has a load length of more than a metre, with storage of up to 500 litres (17.6 cu ft) up to the window line. With the split rear seat backs folded flat, the cargo space available almost triples.

The loadspace is well thought out with tie-down points for larger items of luggage and a hidden compartment under the boot floor.

Estate cars tend to be family cars and that, not unreasonably, pushes safety up the purchasing agenda. On that front too, the Cruze Station Wagon is up there with the best, having earned a five-star safety rating from safety organisation EuroNCAP. Six airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes are all fitted as standard.

On the grumble front, the Cruze Station Wagon does suffer from road noise, especially at higher speeds, the ride can be a little harsh on less-than-perfect roads, and I would have welcomed a foot rest for the driver’s left foot as there is plenty of space for one.

That said, the Cruze is the Chevrolet brand’s most successful model, with more than 1.3 million sold worldwide.

And the final ace up the sleve of every Cruze is the warranty, which is an impressive five years and 100,000 miles, for even more peace of mind.

Auto facts Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon LT

  • Price: £18,925
  • Ins group: 21 (1-50)
  • Consumption: (Combined): 62.7mpg
  • Top speed: 124mph
  • Length: 468.1cm/184.3in
  • Width: 180cm/71in
  • Luggage capacity: 17.6 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 gallons/60l
  • CO2: 119g/km
  • Warranty: 3 yrs/ 60,000 miles