Chevrolet Captiva Review

Chevrolet Captiva Review

Chevrolet tells us that it invented the SUV back in 1936 with the Suburban Carryall, which was the first 7-seater to include ‘rough-road’ suspension.

That may well have been the first but the latest car from the Chevy stable, the Captiva was launched earlier this year (2007). It had been a while coming as it was first introduced to the world as the S3X concept at the 2004, Paris Motor Show. Little has changed twixt concept and Captiva - the chunky proportions are more than a suggestion of its sporty nature and carrying capacity.

The ‘sporty’ elements can be seen in the black, plastic wheel arch spats and sills that run all the way around the base of the body and the silver-effect, front and rear skid-plates on the LTX offer a further clue.

Strong design lines run from the front wheel arches, through the door handles, to the rear light clusters and the heavy bonnet creases add a touch of style, topped off by a weighty front grille bearing the ‘bow-tie’ badge. Strangely, it isn’t until it is parked amongst other cars that the imposing style and size is appreciated.

The Captiva has the honour of being the first Chevrolet to be designed for every market, no matter which country. So, the Captiva we have in the UK is the same as that in Australia or Russia, where, incidentally, the company has a huge following.

Unlike its sister car, the Vauxhall Antara, the Captiva has more of a family slant - a point proven by the brochures. There is not a child in sight in the Antara brochure but the Captiva’s is full of family images. The Captiva also comes as a 7-seater. In fact the five-seat version is in the minority. To break it down; there are three trim levels and two engine options. The LS comes with a 2.4-litre, petrol engine and five seats only and is priced at £16,995. The LT and LTX house Chevrolet’s first diesel engine, the 2.0-litre unit, only and it is just the LT that has five seats (19,995) as well as seven (£21,140). Both of these two top trim levels also offer the option of a 5-speed automatic transmission, which adds £1,085 to the cost the 5-speed manual.

Chevrolet Captiva