Chevrolet captiva review

Chevrolet captiva review

Chevrolet captiva review

The Captiva four-wheel drive has done good business for Chevrolet, and like the Vauxhall Antara that it is almost identical to, has undergone a fairly extensive facelift that runs to a lot more than a new-look grille and a resculpturing of the front wings and bonnet.
The most far-reaching change lies beneath that bonnet, where a pair of completely re-engineered 2.2 litre turbodiesels with two power outputs claims to deliver much-improved refinement, reduced emissions, stronger performance and better economy. These come with either a six-speed manual or a new six-speed automatic, the less powerful version driving the front wheels alone, while the rest of the range is all-wheel drive. And all versions bar the lower powered model come with seven seats as standard, the key practical difference between this car and the Vauxhall Antara.
Extensively revised suspension, speed-sensitive electrically-assisted steering, improved sound-proofing, an upgraded interior finish, a new electronic parking brake – which allows for more centre console storage – ‘ice-blue’ instrument back-lighting, Bluetooth compatibility and an iPod socket complete the list of key improvements.
The result is certainly a more civilised Captiva, the new diesels quieter and more flexible than before, while the tauter suspension reduces body-roll to turn this SUV into a usefully more wieldy device on curvy roads. There is small penalty in ride comfort for this stiffer suspension, but for the most part it’s comfortable enough. The Captiva is also better to sit in with its upgraded interior décor, and for the most part its cabin is practical too. It provides plenty of storage space and, once you’ve got the knack, relatively easy access to a third row that’s fine for kids on short trips. A shame, though, that you have to remove the parcel shelf to raise or drop these seats and that there’s no electric tailgate, but the rear window opens separately, a handy convenience.
While the entry-level 2.2 VCGDi LS five-seater is quite attractively priced, the substantial climb to the higher powered LT seven-seater plunges the Captiva into territory that leaves it exposed to several superior alternatives, especially if seven seats aren’t a necessity. There’s no question that this is an improved car, but not sufficiently to warrant price increases of several thousand pounds. That’s a pity, because at the right price the Captiva could make quite a strong case for itself.

Chevrolet captiva review

Chevrolet captiva review

STYLING

The Captiva was always a good-looking SUV and the latest styling changes keep it sharp, though some may find the gold Chevrolet bow-tie badge on its prow a little tacky.

Chevrolet captiva review

 

 Chevrolet captiva review

Chevrolet captiva review