Chevrolet Captiva 2.4 LS
When it comes to so-called crossover vehicles, Chevrolet has quite some history. In fact, it can be traced back to 1935 when the company launched the Suburban Carryall, bringing with it a model name that has lasted to the present day. Before the Carryall, a station wagon was built on a van chassis with rear bodywork fashioned from wood but the Carryall was capable of carrying eight passengers and their gear in comfort.
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Emissions? Off the charts. Fuel consumption? Broadly irrelevant to the target customer. To succeed in todays automotive environment, manufacturers have to bring their A-game or give up. Chevrolet has come out fighting.
Of all the models in the Captiva line-up, the entry-level 2.4-litre LS is perhaps the closest, in philosophy at least, to Chevrolets crossover marketing blurb. The reason why is that despite the aggressive looks and raised seating position, this isnt a 4x4 at all. Power is directed to the front wheels only, making this a vehicle suitable only for road use.
Before we condemn it as a fraudster, a modern day Matra-Simca Rancho, perhaps we should examine this market a bit closer. Honda has been here before and so has Toyota, offering 4x4 looks to a pragmatic clientele. The Captiva LS sports a 141bhp 2.4-litre petrol engine that will be overlooked by most buyers who will instead tick the box marked 149bhp diesel engine and pay a good deal more.
Maximum power chimes in at a fairly heady 5,200rpm with the maximum torque of 220Nm arriving at 4,000rpm so youll need to rev this engine to get it stoked up. 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. Sixteen-inch wheels with 70-profile tyres dont say a lot for the Captiva LSs cornering prowess but do help with the ride quality.
"As a school run special, its brilliant"
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 shouldnt be thought of as a 4x4 or an off-roader. Instead, theyre 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? Thats the reasoning at least. 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 its a much heftier piece of metalwork. For a start, the Captiva is fully 4,639mm long, compared with the 4,415 of the Toyota and the 4,470mm of the Suzuki. Even if we play Chevrolets game and compare it to the leading mini-MPV, the Vauxhall Zafira, we find Lutons finest breaking the tape at just 4,467mm. Thats 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. This LS five seat version instead offers serious carrying capacity for the slightly smaller family, the rear bench folding flat to the floor when you need to maximise luggage space. The LS trim level may be the base model in the Captiva hierarchy but in comparison to many erstwhile rivals, its relatively stacked. Careful thought has been applied to what people really need in a sports utility vehicle as opposed to equipment for equipments sake.
As examples, the power steering system is further aided by a rake adjustable steering column. Theres air-conditioning for comfort, powered and heated door mirrors, speed sensitive windscreen wipers, electric windows all-round, vanity mirrors for both driver and passenger, a fully retracting loadspace cover and a tailgate glass section that can be opened separately from the tailgate itself by the key fob remote control; theyre all there for convenience. Even the fully integrated in-car entertainment system has an MP3 function so that you can listen to your own choice in music. Front and side window tinting also helps to keep the large glass area from turning the car into a mobile propagator in summer.
Safety and security are well attended to.On this LS model, twin front and curtain airbags are standard, head restraints and full three-point belts are fitted on all seats (including the third row), front seat belts feature pretensioners as well as a smart seat belt reminder and there are ISOFIX fittings for child seats in the rear. Also standard is deadlocking and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm system. Calculating the total cost of ownership of the Chevrolet Captiva 2.
4 LS involves a few imponderables at present. Its not a notably economical vehicle, with combined fuel economy pegged at 28.5mpg. These tests are conducted under lab conditions.
In real life I wouldnt be surprised to see this vehicle return something in the very low twenties when loaded with family paraphernalia. You dont get all this size for free. Depreciation is a tougher one to pin down. While the Chevrolet badge will help residuals, the market for relatively thirsty petrol-engined vehicles of this type has been rather stagnant and many used buyers will rightly feel that the diesel makes a better bet.
Insurance is reasonable but if you look to the Captiva LS to offer low running costs, it may well disappoint. In all likelihood, this will be a model that does little to dent the public consciousness. The reason is simple. Pair a relatively big, heavy vehicle with a petrol engine while charging comparatively little for it and the very same customers attracted by the eye-catching price will be turned off by the not inconsequential running costs.
The Captiva LS actually offers very little in terms of functionality over a decent mini-MPV, many of which are now very competitively priced, even for state-of-the-art diesel versions. This Captiva will appeal to the low mileage user who wants a vehicle with real presence. As a school run special, its brilliant. For anything more demanding its easy to find the concept wanting.
Thats not to say the Captiva is a poor vehicle per se. With a diesel engine and all-wheel-drive, it becomes a far more attractive proposition.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Chevrolet Captiva 2.4 LS
PRICES: £16,995 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 10
CO2 EMISSIONS: 217g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 115mph / 0-60mph 11.5s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 28.5mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 4639/1848/1722mm
