‘KISS’ OF LIFE
There is great appeal in simplicity.
But in this world of TikTok videos and Instagram Stories, simplicity has seemingly been superseded by the constant desire for eye-popping visuals. These phenomena are manifestations of the “Spectacle,” which Marxist philosopher Guy Debord defined as an overall social phenomenon where we put primacy on the superficial.
Put another way, people generally “flex” about the good things in their lives (often in relation to commodities like watches, cars, smartphones, exotic vacations, etc.), thereby creating a highly stimulating, but largely unrealistic representation of themselves. Why be simple and plain when you can be totally glamorous?
Since the loss of the turbodiesel Colorado pick-up and Trailblazer sport-utility vehicle, Chevrolet Philippines has been lost in space with its lineup of very sophisticated vehicles that haven’t quite hit the mark. But with the highly capable Maria Fe Perez-Agudo at the helm, the Bowtie Brand seems to have finally gotten a dose of “Keep It Simple, Stupid” (KISS).
And so, we arrive at the 2025 Chevrolet Groove RS. Can this entry-level subcompact crossover finally bring Filipinos back into the American carmaker’s fold?
Sporty style
The Groove is certainly a sharp-looking thing, although I feel that the Tungsten Grey paint scheme of our test unit doesn’t serve much excitement.
Available only in the RS variant, this little Chevy gets a sporty body kit that includes a front skirt and a dramatic faux rear diffuser with chrome dual exhaust pipes. Other notable visual cues include the 17-inch alloy wheels, large LED headlights, an aggressive front grill and gloss-black paint on the side mirrors and roof.
But it’s things like the notched rear-quarter windows, the steeply raked rear windscreen and the prominent tailgate protrusion above the wide taillights – these require a keen eye that can patiently absorb their meaning in the overall form. In other words, the Groove is distinctive, without being as garish as a GAC GS3 Emzoom or a Geely Coolray.
Spacious accommodation
Inside, the Groove RS has good space for five and, unlike many Chinese rivals, controls that aren’t aggravatingly confusing.
Black PVC leather upholstery with red contrast stitching lines the interior for a classy appearance, while the standard sunroof helps bring in natural light. However, the excessive use of scratchy plastics detracts from a truly premium experience.
Happily, the 7-inch digital gauge cluster and the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are laid out simply, reflecting the global market trend of returning to simpler and less distracting displays. I also liked the separate controls for the powerful climate-control system and the traditional gear selector with its solid clunks.
Speaking of the infotainment system, I must mention that I was unable to connect my iPhone 15 to the Apple CarPlay in this particular test unit, even with a USB cable. In addition, the rear camera isn’t quite as crisp as the excellent one in the larger Trax crossover.
Overall, the Groove RS prioritizes the sure-selling strategy of being practical over being spectacular, with headroom and cargo space that are considerably better than its rivals.
Strong, frugal power
Even under the hood, this little Chevy sticks with tried-and-tested tech.
You get a turbocharged 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine producing 153 horsepower and 255 Newton-meters of torque. These figures may not be as high as some rivals, but at least the Chevy’s continuously variable transmission offers smoother and perkier acceleration than the subpar dual-clutch transmissions of the Coolray and GS3 Emzoom.
The Groove RS is likewise easy to drive, thanks to its light controls and composed ride. However, I feel that the powerful brakes should have a firmer pedal, while the quick steering is sorely lacking in feel, with the latter making the car rather difficult to keep steady at higher speeds.
Happily, this Chevy has an ace up its sleeve – a full advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) that includes life-saving features like Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention and Emergency Lane Keeping.
It’s also considerably more economical than its rivals. We got an impressive 10 to 13 kilometers per liter in the city and 20 to 23 kilometers per liter on the expressway.
Bulls-eye for the Bowtie?
At P1,268,000 (with an introductory price of P1,156,000), the 2025 Chevrolet Groove RS is ready to wage war in the ferocious subcompact crossover segment.
It is substantially cheaper and more powerful than the similarly equipped Toyota Yaris Cross or Honda HR-V, while being more practical and nicer to drive than the P1,289,900 GAC GS3 Emzoom R-Style. Indeed, the Chevy’s closest rival is perhaps the recently launched P1,198,000 MG ZS Sport.
Although workhorses like the old Colorado are gone (at least, for now), it’s nice to see that Chevrolet Philippines is back to offering competitively priced vehicles that balance common-sense simplicity and technological innovation. The Groove RS will appeal greatly to those who want a peppy and practical small crossover, but with a more mature vibe and aesthetic.
It’s an approach that the Bowtie Brand has sealed with a KISS.
