Chevrolet Captiva

Overview

Chevrolet Captiva is the least known SUV in our Indian car market. Till now it has not been recognized the way Chevrolet wants it to be and that’s why they are ready with the face lifted version of this car. Chevrolet India has launched the New 2013 Chevrolet Captiva in India at the Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi. The sale of the same started on 26th June, 2012. The main reason to launch the New Captiva is that the sales of Captiva have dropped after the launch of Toyota Fortuner, which is the segment leader in SUV market. Some of key features of New Captiva are:new design for head lamps and tail lamps, new Split design front grille, new 2.2 litre diesel engine mated to 6-speed automatic transmission, LED turn indicators integrated into rear view mirrors, new design for side air vents integrated into the fender, new dual cockpit design for the centre console, new color combinations for interiors and fabrics, new dash integrated music system featuring AUX and USB ports and new design for the alloy wheels.

Exterior

SUVs are often known for their macho appearance which was always missing from this car. The car never looked like a mature SUV especially from its front. Chevrolet has intentionally worked on the face of new Captiva to make it look more aggressive and macho. New giant front grille is divided by a Chevrolet logo and the restyled front bumper and fog lights improve the visual appearance of this car. It remains the same from sideways except for the built in turn indicators on side mirrors and the air intake. It still looks best when seen from its side otherwise its back portion also remains unchanged and will surely disappoint you especially its tail lights which resemble to the much cheaper Spark.

Interior

Interiors also get restyled and certainly look better than before. It has all-new instrument panel and central console. New dials are extremely easy to read. The car features all genuine leather upholstery which feels up market. The plastic is better than many of its competitors but it has some room left for improvement. It has a seating capacity of 7 people which is again a carry-over from the previous model but it’s a good thing as it is very convenient and comfortable.

Comfort and Convenience

The large space inside confirms you acres of legroom and shoulder room. Seats also offer optimum under thigh and back support for front and rear passengers. Driver seat is electrically adjustable with an adjustable steering for the driver to get into the perfect driving position. It has front and rear armrests to make you comfortable. It has an automatic climate control with 3rd row AC vents, electrically foldable, heated and adjustable side mirrors with parking camera. For your long journeys, the car offers cruise control system along with Hill start assist and on demand four wheel drive system. Other features include auto headlights, wipers and central locking.

Dashboard and Storage

Texture, color remains intact of this dashboard with a seven inch screen fitted in the central console which looks stylish with nicely altered air vents. Chevrolet Captiva comes with roomy glove boxes, cubbyholes, cup holders at front and in the rear armrest. You get a massive storage space except for the standard boot capacity when you fold its 2nd and 3rd row.

Music System

Chevrolet Captiva features an upgraded double-din radio, CD, MP3 player surround sound audio system with 8 powerful speakers and Bluetooth connectivity. Bluetooth and audio controls are mounted on its steering wheel.

Engine and Gearbox

New Captiva is offered with two engines, one of them is its old 2.0L diesel engine offered with 5-speed manual gearbox. The 2.0 litre engine generates maximum power of 148 bhp. The second engine is a new 2.2L DOHC diesel engine which generates a maximum power of 186.5 bhp at 3800 rpm with a massive torque output of 424 Nm available at 2000 rpm. This engine is mated with a new six-speed gearbox.

Acceleration and Performance

The new 2.2L engine is not as enthusiastic as it seems on paper. The car suffers a major turbo lag as it starts to respond after 2000 rpm. Its new gearbox works well than before as the new gear ratios feel well proportionate. Its 5th and 6th gears are relatively taller which makes it a good cruiser on highways. In day to day usage, this car can’t match the driving comfort offered by Toyota Fortuner. In city traffic, you hardly notice any turbo lag in Fortuner while in Captiva, you will continuously complain about its slow behaviour. Yes, once it starts going it becomes a breeze till 3000rpm and this new engine feels much more refined than the smaller 2.0L engine.

Mileage

The car gives less mileage than its competitors. Its new 2.2L diesel engine gives you a mileage of around 8km/ltr in city conditions while on highways expect a mileage of around 9-11km/ltr. Its 2.0L engine gives you an overall mileage of around 10km/ltr.

Safety Features

The new Captiva will be offered with 6 airbags to provide you maximum safety. It also features rear defogger and fog lights for better visibility.

Suspension and Braking

Chevrolet has improved the suspension quality of this car to provide you comfortable rides. Its automatic level ride suspension makes this car feel quite settle on bad roads. The braking system includes ventilated disk brakes on its all four 17inch alloy wheels. The car also features ABS with EBD to make sure that this heavy vehicle remains under control.

Ride and Handling

With its high ground clearance (197mm) and wheelbase (2705mm), this car feels grounded on high speeds and sharp corners. However, body roll is quite evident due to its big size. Its handling could have been much lighter as it feels quite a task to use it in city traffic.

Warranty

Chevrolet offers 2 years/50,000 kilometers warranty on Captiva.

Variants

Chevrolet Captiva is available in three variants: 2.0 MT, 2.0 xTreme MT and 2.2 AT AWD.

Verdict

Looking at the tough competition, We think Chevrolet has overpriced the new Captiva. Except for few changes there has nothing much changed in its appearance and frankly speaking it still doesn’t look as stable as Fortuner. Yes, it has a powerful engine but not as fast and responsive as Fortuner. Fuel efficiency is also a matter of concern and Chevrolet’s high maintenance and poor resale value makes things worse. There are very less or no reasons to say if it’s a value for money car. Chevrolet has to do something exceptional to beat Toyota Fortuner in our market otherwise we don’t think people will shift from their trusted car to expensive Captiva.