Chevrolet Captiva (07 on) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
Last Updated: 24 March 2011
Chevrolet has traditionally been associated with iconic muscle cars like the Corvette and Camaro, and the small band of ex-Daewoo products it inherited in 2005 have struggled to establish themselves in the budget car sector. The Captiva is the first Chevrolet product that doesn't have its origins in an earlier Daewoo-badged model. It is also the first Chevrolet to reach the UK with a diesel engine - and diesel versions come with four-wheel drive and modest off-road ability. The single petrol model is front-wheel drive and only available as a cut-price entry point to the range. The Captiva diesel is available with seven seats and makes a decent car for a large family, but a few too many signs of cost cutting associated with budget brands are evident. The Captiva was given an overhaul in early 2011 with new diesel engines, new automatic and manual gearbox as well as some exterior and interior design tweaks. The latest engines offer more power than before, but are also cleaner meaning running costs are lowered. While an engaging drive is still not its forte, the new engines offer strong performance and practicality continues to be its trump card.
3.5 out of 5

Performance

Most buyers will choose the diesel engine. It's a 150bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit that produces plenty of low down pulling power so feels keen enough to lug the Captiva's considerable weight around (seven-seat versions weight more than 1.8 tonnes). The five-speed manual version will reach 62mph in 11.5 seconds, despite its baulky gearchange, while the five-speed automatic takes 12.2 seconds. The 2.4-litre petrol engine produces 136bhp but drives only the front wheels. It is fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox and is able to match the manual diesel in the 0-62mph sprint.

3 out of 5

Handling

The Captiva corners quite well for a tall vehicle designed as a 4x4, and while the steering lacks feel, it's easy to track bends precisely. It rides firmly, which is all very well on smooth roads, but composure suffers when the surface is less than perfect. The LTX model in particular, on 18-inch wheels as standard, becomes a chore on uneven surfaces, with the unforgiving ride quality amplified the further back you sit. Passengers in the third row would be unlikely to endure such behaviour for long. All four-wheel drive versions of the Captiva come with electronic stability control, helping the driver regain control safely should the car skid on the road, plus a hill descent control system to help safe progress off road. However few owners are likely to take their cars off road.