The Chevrolet Captiva has now been in production since 2006 and has had a couple facelifts since the first model. It one of the cheapest 7 seaters on the markets with its main rivals being the Nissan X-Trail, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. The all new Captiva comes in three engine types ranging from a 169 hp 4 cylinder to a 264 hp V6.
Key Features:
Engine: 3.0 V6 VVT
Transmission: 6 Speed automatic
Power: 264 HP / 288 NM
Top Speed: 200 Km/h
Price: AED 85,000 - 109,000
Exterior
The Captiva definitely has a sporty vibe about it, with sharp lines throughout the body, it looks great. The “soccer mum” feel is not present anymore and the car can comfortably sit in the sports utility vehicle bracket now. The LTZ features 19 inch alloy wheels as well as large side steps that make it easy to get in and out of the car. The rear of the car doesn't disappoint with large rear lights and big exhaust pipes. The changes from the previous model are clear and Chevrolet have definitely improved the looks and stance of the captiva.
See more at: Chevrolet Captiva arrives in Middle East
Interior and Safety
Ok, so the LTZ we drove is not exactly cheap but what you get for the money makes this car a very decent purchase. For the price you can get the 2016 Ford Explorer, on the other hand you won't get one equipped half as well. The leather is luxurious and is draped all over the cabin giving a rich feel for the most part, the buttons on the dashboard don't feel plastic and cheap and the gear shifter is comfortable to use and hold. The car also has a sunroof, 7 inch infotainment system which is not laggy and was very easy to use and its the same for the controls on the steering wheel. Seriously for the price you get a lot of car, I was surprised as to how at home you feel driving the Capitva. One of the things I would change is the fake carbon fibre panels which don't look right and would be much better in a wood finish. If you have the rear seats down the boot is large and will take almost anything you try to put in it, however if the seats are up it's the opposite.
With regards to safety it's no expenses spared. The 2016 Captiva passed the NCAP test with 5 stars and here's why. The car comes equipped with 6 airbags, rear cross traffic alert, side blind zone alert and parking sensors all around with a rear facing camera to help with those tight parking spots.
See more at: Chevrolet at Dubai Motorshow
Drive
The Captiva floats around like a butterfly and handles bumps exceptionally well, with its spongy suspension it really is a very comfortable drive. Its pokey 3.0 litre V6 pushes the car from 0-100km/h in a little under 10 seconds and this means it's ahead of the competition. It also comes with AWD and 200mm of ground clearance so it does have some off road capability. The captiva’s suspension, even though it's fairly spongy, tackles corners really well and doesn't have much body roll and the brakes are strong and slow the big car quickly when you really push on them.
Verdict
Overall they have done a great job with the revised Captiva and we think it's ahead of the rest in its category. A fantastic all rounder!
Check out Car Prices and Specs for Chevrolet Captiva and Competitors
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