Since its purchase of bankrupt Daewoo, GM has worked hard to try to crack the UK market with its Chevrolet brand. The Captiva was the first to hit the UK in diesel form. Dean Mitchell tests the new two-wheel-drive version
With Chevrolet sales on the up compared to last year, the brand certainly isn’t resting on its laurels. Having launched the new Aveo supermini and Epica large car already this year, the GM-owned brand has turned its attention to the flagship of the range, the Captiva, launching a new five-seat, two-wheel-drive entry level version, meaning buyers have to shell out £2,100 less than before. It’s powered by the 2.0-litre VCDi unit, also seen in the Epica, and revs freely right throughout the rev range. Performance is comparable to its peers, offering a top speed of 112mph and completing the dash from rest to 60mph in just 10.8 seconds. This is while returning a combined fuel consumption figure of 39.7mpg.
Out on the road, the SUV offers a commanding view of the road ahead, giving the occupants a feeling of safety and security. And while touching on that subject, all Captiva’s are fitted with driver, front passenger, side and curtain airbags, and scored a four-star rating from EuroNCAP, the crash-test watchdog.
The interior is spacious, with plenty of room for five adults, and the boot will easily swallow up any luggage which may accompany them. It also has a handy glass flip tailgate, meaning that you don’t have to open the heavy tailgate every time, in order to place items into the loadbay. The centre console has clean lines and a smart, modern finish. The ‘ejector seat’ style handbrake is not only fun, but also ergonomically sound. Sadly, this thinking hasn’t been carried over to the instrument binnacle, which is a real let down. The shiny white speedometer looks a touch on the tacky side and is emphasised at night when the dashboard lights emit a luminous green glow.
Despite being the entry level model, the Captiva LS comes fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, electric door mirrors, radio/CD player with MP3 jack and steering wheel controls, air conditioning, ISOfix child seat fasteners and a thatcham category one alarm system with remote central locking. Even so, for the price and size of the car, I felt that it was missing a couple of essential extras. Reverse parking sensors were sorely missed and cruise control would have made motorway driving more enjoyable.
RIVALS: Hyund ai Tucson 2.0 CRDi Style 2WD, Renault Koleos Dynamique dCi 150 2WD, SsangYong Kyron 2.0 S 2WD
Drive Time
- Engine: 1991cc, 4-cylinder turbodiesel
- Gearbox: 5-speed manual
- Max Power: 148bhp at 4,000rpm
- Max Torque: 236lb ft at 2,000rpm
- Max Towing Weight: 2,000kg
- Combined Consumption: 38.7mpg
- CO2 Emissions (taxband): 195g/km (F)
- 0-62mph: 10.8secs
- Max speed: 112mph
- Insurance group: 12
Pros
Much cheaper than rivals, commanding driving position
Cons
Interior is rather dull, poor gearbox, no mud-plugging ability, no cruise control or parking sensors
