New Chevrolet Captiva review

Whether the UK markets needs another four wheel drive SUV range, with the current anti 4x4 campaign and higher gas guzzling and congestion taxations levels, is a debatable issue but what is clear is that a volume manufacturer cannot afford not to have such vehicles in their range.

The Captiva is no longer in length than an average sized estate car or MPV at 4,636mm. The 2.4-litre, 150PS petrol model is only available with two wheel drive and five seats and will be a minority seller.

It is in the range as a headline range price leader, £16,995, and will be bought by low mileage users.

The GM developed 2.0-litre, 150Ps, 320Nm, common-rail, direct injection turbodiesel unit is the one to have. This model is available with five seats, but with a manual transmission only, priced at £19,995.

Seven seat models with the 2.0-litre diesel engine have manual and automatic gearbox options and LT and LTX trim and equipment levels, prices from £21,140 to £24,920.

Pick of the bunch is the 2.0LT seven-seat auto priced at £22,320. All diesel models have on demand four wheel drive; they use front wheel drive for the majority of the time, automatically engaging the rear wheels via an electronic clutch when maximum traction is required.

The system interacts with the anti-locking braking and electronic stability programme when needed and descent control is available at the touch of a button.

Whilst it is no ‘bargain price’ SUV it does offer seven seats, with little luggage space, but with the rear row folded it has five seats with a large flat load carrying floor.

The middle row of seats is easily folded away and the load area is increased to a very useable 1,565 litres of space, again with a flat floor.

Versatility and high equipment levels are the reasons to buy this vehicle, plus the three years free servicing launch offer. LT models have 17 inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, air conditioning, electrically operated windows, a leather covered steering wheel and gearknob, cooled glovebox and an eight speaker stereo radio and CD system.

LTX models have in addition, 18 inch alloys, full leather seat trim, heated front seats, power folding and heated door mirrors, cruise control, automatic lighting and rain sensitive wipers, electronic climate control enhanced CD unit and multi function on-board computer.

Put through some challenging test driving conditions last week on winding road and tracks in Southern Ireland the Captiva performed well in real life use.

It does not set new standards in its class but it copes with everything we could throw at it, safely and with a certain amount of passenger comfort and predictability with its handling.

The diesel engine was relatively responsive and was much more user friendly coupled with the five speed automatic transmission and in this form around 30mpg can be expected.

The five speed manual gearbox is not so precise or slick to use but for people who tow caravans, boats and trailers it does have a higher towing weight of 2,000kg. The auto version is 1,700kg and the petrol model just 1,500kg.

The manual transmission diesel model does have considerably lower CO2 emission levels and nearly 5mpg better fuel consumption.

MILESTONES

Chevrolet Captiva 2.0LT seven seat automatic

Price: £22,320. Engine: 2.0-litre, four cylinder, common rail, high pressure direct injection, turbodiesel, 150PS, 320Nm at 2,000rpm

Transmission:, front wheel drive with on demand four wheel traction, five speed auto gearbox

Performance: 112mph, 0-60mph 12.2 seconds, 32.8mpg (30mpg actual), CO2 225g/km, VED £205.

For: A seven seater SUV no larger than a family estate car with an easy to use functional interior, high specification levels, smart styling, fills a glaring gap in the Chevrolet range.

Against: Brings nothing new to the sector in refinement or performance, pricey, potential high real-life running costs.

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