Chevrolet threw everything it could think of at its budget-end seven-seat SUV when it launched this car in 2007. It was based on the Opel Antara, but with more attitude and efficiency from the engine range, and a lot more quality throughout the interior, it would have been a much stronger contender.
Three years after launch a facelift was needed and the Captiva benefited from a more robust look. Most importantly it got a new diesel engine to replace the old rumbly 150PS 2.0-litre unit that was never really acceptable, even in its original form. It was replaced with either a 161bhp or 182bhp 2.2-litre VCDi that’s a lot smoother and more refined. Either can get the car from 0-62mph in around 10.4 seconds, which is pretty fast for such a large and heavy car.
This improved Captiva also has a four-wheel drive system that’s able to push power to the rear wheels when conditions require. It’s not a Land Rover-rivalling set-up of course, more aimed at muddy carparks than mountains, but it should cope with anything most buyers will ever want to try to do in the Captiva.
Standard equipment on entry-level LS models includes air-conditioning, alloy wheels, remote locking, all-round electric windows and an MP3-compatible CD stereo. The step-up to mid-spec LT adds cruise control and climate controls, while top-spec LTZ cars get sat-nav, powered leather seats and more. All versions are fairly well trimmed for their low prices and you’ll be hard pressed to find a new model that comes close to matching the list price of a used one. Sadly, the Captiva suffers from weak resale values that can see it lose up to two-thirds of its value after three years on the road.
