Driving Impressions

The Captiva was born in 2006, heavily inspired by the 2004 Chevrolet S3X concept, which was developed at Daewoo for the GM Theta platform. The facelifted Chevy Captiva, which now incorporates a large new grille based on the Chevy Aveo, along with a few other improvements, broke cover internationally in late 2011 and is finally available in Trinidad and Tobago as a 2013 model from Lifestyle Motors.

The Chevy Captiva is available as a five- or seven-seater SUV and although very roomy inside, retains a compact appearance. It is powered by a 4-cylinder 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, making 184hp and an impressive 295ft-lb of torque. Power is fed through a 6-speed automatic and the AWD system. We estimate the 0-60mph time to be in the 9s range, which is quick for a vehicle of this size. Hill descent control and hill start assist are also standard on the new model, which are great for on- and off-road gradients, especially where traffic is involved. The suspension uses a McPherson front and independent rear design.

Inside the Captiva has been completely redesigned with a new, modern theme. It also packs an eight-speaker CD/stereo system that is MP3-ready and has an auxiliary and USB port for an external audio player such as an iPod. Audio and air-conditioning controls are conveniently located on the leather wrapped tilting steering wheel and the driver gets an eight-way electrically adjustable seat. There are 12V power outlets in the front, rear and in the cargo area. The rear seats can also be fully folded down to maximise cargo room, along with the third row of seats in the seven-seater version. The rear window of the tailgate can be opened separately from the tailgate itself.

Roof rails, rain-sensitive wipers and side mirror indicators are also standard. Eighteen-inch sport wheels and fog lights complete the new look, along with Captiva-branded doorsills. Safety equipment includes dual front, side and curtain airbags and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, stability and traction control and parking sensors. Reports indicate that the current generations of Chevys are proving to be very reliable, and with this latest Chevy Captiva, the brand continues to improve the quality of its offerings. At TT$375K the Captiva brings a welcome alternative to the existing mid-sized SUV market. Look out for a test drive in an upcoming edition of Zorce.