Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 VCDi : CAPTIVA AUDIENCE

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When it comes to building an authentic 4x4, there aren't many that can show Chevrolet the ropes. Andy Enright takes a look at the diesel Captiva

Few manufacturers have as much experience of building all-wheel drive vehicles as Chevrolet. When it comes to off-road vehicles Land Rover, Jeep and Toyota all have illustrious records but in terms of units shifted, all three have to give best to Chevrolet. All too often, however, Chevrolet products have lost something in the translation from the US market to Europe, where the requirements are often a lot more demanding. These days, Chevrolet is a far more global concern and concentrating on the domestic market just isn't going to keep the wolf from the door, hence the development of models such as this Captiva diesel.

Playing on away turf is always a more demanding gig and coming face to face with cars like the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4, the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Land Rover Freelander is a big ask of a relative newcomer to this sales arena but the Captiva has some serious firepower to bring to bear. Chevrolet offers six models in the Captiva range and it's a measure of the importance they put on diesel motive power that all but one of them features a 148bhp diesel engine under the bonnet. The other model is something of a curio, the front-wheel drive 2.4-litre petrol model appearing the odd man out. This diesel will punt the big-boned Chevy to a top speed of 112mph. High speed refinement would be helped by the fitment of a six-speed gearbox although there is a more relaxed diesel option available at a price. The peak torque of 320NM arrives at a lowly 2,200rpm which gives the powerplant a nicely sinewy feel. The all-wheel drive system incorporates hill descent control as well as the more commonplace stability and traction control systems and lends the Captiva a modicum of off-road ability although ride height isn't exactly nosebleed-inducing. The suspension has been tuned for European conditions at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire and features a MacPherson strut setup at the front and an independent four-link arrangement at the back. Seventeen inch wheels are fitted to LT versions with the ritzier LT-X model sporting eighteen-inch rims. The basic front-wheel-drive LS version is less bling in its styling. Though it looks at first glance like a natural Land Rover Freelander/Toyota RAV4/Nissan X-Trail competitor, Chevrolet are keen to stress that this vehicle shouldn't be thought of as a `4x4' or an `off-roader'. Instead, they're positioning the Captiva as a compact SUV (sports utility vehicle) aimed at capturing sales from MPV-style people carriers. Instead of opting for a seven-seat MPV, they say, why not go for something a little more stylish? That's the reasoning at least.

"If you need your family car to offer a 4x4 feel together with space and plenty of equipment, start your search here firstâ€¦."

The design is clever in reducing the perceived bulk of what is a surprisingly spacious vehicle. Viewed in isolation, the Captiva looks to be about the size of a Toyota RAV4 or a Suzuki Grand Vitara but the tale of the tape shows that it's a much heftier piece of metalwork. For a start, the Captiva is fully 4,635mm long, compared with the 4,415 of the Toyota and the 4,470mm of the Suzuki. Even if we play Chevrolet's game and compare it to the leading mini-MPV, the Vauxhall Zafira, we find Luton's finest breaking the tape at just 4,467mm. That's why the Chevy has room for three rows of seats - and thus, seven passengers in diesel engined LT guise - that and its long wheelbase of around 2,700mm. The LT model offers a choice of five and seven seats with the LT-X models all being fitted with a third row. The Captiva diesel opens with an eye-catching £18,000 sticker price in LS five seat guise and this model is certain to prove popular, though most customers still opt for the plusher LT. As well as the four-wheel drive system, LT trim features 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob, an eight-speaker CD stereo with MP3 capability, a glove box cooling system and a passenger side under-seat storage drawer, while seven-seat models also get reverse parking sensors as standard. The automatic model tacks about £1,150 onto the asking price of the LT seven seater. Step up to the LT-X model and you'll need around £24,000 for the manual car and a little more for the automatic. Standard equipment over and above LT trim includes full leather upholstery with heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic lighting control and rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, a multi-function display panel, a six-CD changer stereo with MP3 capability, climate control with air quality system, silver-coloured front and rear skid plates, stainless steel sill plates, power-folding heated door mirrors with integrated turn signals and a visible twin-pipe exhaust system with chrome detailing. In comparison with a range topping Honda CR-V, this represents a better equipped, bigger car for around £1,000 less. The Captiva diesel probably isn't going to break the bank to buy and running it shouldn't send you to the wall either. Business user choosers would do well to note that although the manual car emits a fairly respectable 197g/km of carbon dioxide, the automatic is notably less efficient and its 225g/km showing will have the Chancellor rubbing his hands in glee. Likewise the diesel car's decent 31.7mpg combined fuel economy figure is a whole lot more palatable than the petrol's 38.7mpg result. Depreciation is a tougher figure to pin down. While the Chevrolet badge will help residuals, the market for this sort of vehicle is stuffed with more well-known and established contenders. That said, the excellent warranty arrangement offered by Chevrolet could help prop up values. Insurance is reasonable and repair costs are said to be among the industry's most competitive. If space is a key criterion when choosing a budget 4x4, choose one that's significantly less compact than its rivals. This is the Captiva's key selling point. In certain respects it feels like a vehicle from a class above and the seven seat option is certain to prove popular with growing familes who don't want to surrender to the crushing mediocrity of an MPV. The diesel engine, while willing, isn't as responsive as the best units in the class such as those offered by Toyota or Honda. It's also not particularly rewarding to drive, the ride being fairly good but the handling vague and the steering a little woolly. Despite the stars and bars badge, the Captiva is at heart a South-East Asian product with lots of kit for those who don't care too much about dynamics but do value a small asking price. In comparison with a range topping Honda CR-V this represents a better equipped, bigger car for around £1,000 less and there are lower running costs too. If you need your family car to offer a 4x4 feel together with space and plenty of equipment, start your search here first.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Chevrolet Captiva 2.0VCDi diesel range
PRICES: £18,415 - £24,255 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-12
CO2 EMISSIONS: 197g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 111mph / 0-60mph 11.5s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 32.1mpg / (extra urban) 41.5mpg / combined) 37.1mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS, ESP, hill descent control
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 4639/1848/1722mm