Scoop: Chevy Captiva Test drive!!!

jyobeb · 28th December 2007, 15:24

Just came back from a short drive of the Captiva. It was a black beauty with a slightly CRVish looks when viewed from far.
The beige interiors were finished beautifully and the dash looked very contemporary. The dash is a mix of beige and upmarket faux wood inserts. A central display showed all climate control details. The wheels were 17" though I did not note tyre size.
This was the LT version with twin airbags and abs. There was a button which said APS and I did not know what it meant. No selectable switches or levers were seen for 4wd and hence I assume that it is entirely controlled automatically.
The rear seats were folded into the well of the floor and had to be pulled up only when needed. Space is at a premium in the last seats but is very decent in the middle and front. Luugage space with the 3rd row up, is for one large suitcase and a medium sized bag.
Access to the rear seats is also a job for a contortionist.
Start the engine and the noise is very evident from the outside. Inside, however, the sound is very muted. Slotted the car into 1st and released the clutch and the engine died. With an embarassed smile, I restart, rev a little bit and take off. Take Off is right, since the the damned thing really moved. Shift rapidly and the car kept going and before I realised it I had crossed 100!!!
Magnum owners will know the rush associated with the engine but this state of tune is fabulous. There is no hint of excessive turbo lag and the engine revs like a petrol.
For all you adrenaline junkies, this car is the one to drive.
All in all a very brief but very enjoyable drive. The car is priced (tentatively) at a little less than 18 lkahs ex-showroom, Madurai.

abhilashvk · 28th December 2007, 15:32

Did GM India launch Captiva? The Chevrolet India site do not display the product.

Akshay1234 · 28th December 2007, 15:33

thats nice. how did u get a test drive? i didnt even know it was launched.

Ricky_63 · 28th December 2007, 15:33

WOW are they already taking orders for the Captavia ?? Never heard about it here. How is the drive comfort ?? What BHP ? Any more details that you may like to share.

Cheers

AMATMO · 28th December 2007, 15:40

little ess than 18 lacs seens to be a good price
given a choice between CRV and captiva
my vote goes for the captiva
even though i wish it was 16 to 16.5 range

jyobeb · 28th December 2007, 15:40

I'm sorry that I did not add that the car is not officially for sale yet. The launch is on the 10th of January. The car is a demo car that I was asked to check out. The advantages of being a car buff and a Team_BHPian

The power is rated ar 150ps.

Vid6639 · 28th December 2007, 16:44

That's excellent news jyobeb. How was the handling of the car? How many models are available of the car?

jyobeb · 28th December 2007, 17:12

As far as my information goes, there seems to be only one variant. Handling in the limited drive that I did seemed very good. The ride was firm but the suspension did not crash into potholes either.

shatrughna · 28th December 2007, 17:27

Hey man lucky you ! thanks for sharing.
Any idea on the automatic version - is it available or its only manual.

snaronikar · 28th December 2007, 17:38

Did you take any pics of the vehicle? Howz the performance?

Samurai · 28th December 2007, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyobeb

No selectable switches or levers were seen for 4wd and hence I assume that it is entirely controlled automatically.

Yes, it is an on-demand 4x4 like Tucson or CR-V, no off-road ability. Looks like it is priced similar to CR-V.

28th December 2007, 18:18

I just popped into GM showroom here, they dont have a demo car yet, probably by jan 15th they said

they showed me a faxed brochure from GM india HQ
it is rather disappointing!
no mention of 4WD at all,instead the brochure says "Front wheel Drive"

Is this true? can it be true?
It's taking the cost cutting thing too far
or is it taking the soft roader trend too far?

Looks like its going to be the tucson for me. not even waiting for the launch of the captiva.

@samurai san- sir the tucson has selectable 4WD, and it also cuts in during 2WD mode if the car senses loss of traction
see this link
Welcome to Hyundai Motor :: Hyundai Tucson

Steeroid · 28th December 2007, 18:45

What an unassuming title for a Test Drive of a vehicle that is yet to be launched! I nearly missed it. Beboy you should've highlighted it more.

The Petrol Captiva sold here is a boring vehicle (funnily enough I do not remember it it was a 4WD!) to drive with the 2.4 Daewoo/Chevrolet Epica engine, even though it is well equipped with good seating for 5. From Beboy's comments it looks like the 150 bhp Diesel is another story altogether.

Samurai · 28th December 2007, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by rippergeo

@samurai san- sir the tucson has selectable 4WD, and it also cuts in during 2WD mode if the car senses loss of traction
see this link
Welcome to Hyundai Motor :: Hyundai Tucson

Oh, that's right. So Tucson is better than Captiva or CR-V in that sense. Did you say Captiva is FWD?

BUSA · 28th December 2007, 20:05

Nice review Jyobeb - I am pretty sure the Captiva will be 4WD, otherwise GM has really gone crazy.

Petes on this thing will make it insane

28th December 2007, 15:24	#1
jyobeb Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Madurai Posts: 1,010 Thanked: 704 Times	Scoop: Chevy Captiva Test drive!!! Just came back from a short drive of the Captiva. It was a black beauty with a slightly CRVish looks when viewed from far. The beige interiors were finished beautifully and the dash looked very contemporary. The dash is a mix of beige and upmarket faux wood inserts. A central display showed all climate control details. The wheels were 17" though I did not note tyre size. This was the LT version with twin airbags and abs. There was a button which said APS and I did not know what it meant. No selectable switches or levers were seen for 4wd and hence I assume that it is entirely controlled automatically. The rear seats were folded into the well of the floor and had to be pulled up only when needed. Space is at a premium in the last seats but is very decent in the middle and front. Luugage space with the 3rd row up, is for one large suitcase and a medium sized bag. Access to the rear seats is also a job for a contortionist. Start the engine and the noise is very evident from the outside. Inside, however, the sound is very muted. Slotted the car into 1st and released the clutch and the engine died. With an embarassed smile, I restart, rev a little bit and take off. Take Off is right, since the the damned thing really moved. Shift rapidly and the car kept going and before I realised it I had crossed 100!!! Magnum owners will know the rush associated with the engine but this state of tune is fabulous. There is no hint of excessive turbo lag and the engine revs like a petrol. For all you adrenaline junkies, this car is the one to drive. All in all a very brief but very enjoyable drive. The car is priced (tentatively) at a little less than 18 lkahs ex-showroom, Madurai. Last edited by Samurai : 29th December 2007 at 11:44. Reason: added resized pics
	() Thanks

28th December 2007, 15:32	#2
abhilashvk BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore/Calic Posts: 367 Thanked: 32 Times View My Garage	Did GM India launch Captiva? The Chevrolet India site do not display the product.
	() Thanks

28th December 2007, 15:33	#3
Akshay1234 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,265 Thanked: 12,317 Times	thats nice. how did u get a test drive? i didnt even know it was launched.
	() Thanks

28th December 2007, 15:33	#4
Ricky_63 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,885 Thanked: 518 Times View My Garage	WOW are they already taking orders for the Captavia ?? Never heard about it here. How is the drive comfort ?? What BHP ? Any more details that you may like to share. Cheers
	() Thanks

28th December 2007, 15:40	#5
AMATMO Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bangalore\GOA Posts: 1,456 Thanked: 7 Times	little ess than 18 lacs seens to be a good price given a choice between CRV and captiva my vote goes for the captiva even though i wish it was 16 to 16.5 range
	() Thanks

28th December 2007, 16:44	#7
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,730 Thanked: 43,483 Times View My Garage	That's excellent news jyobeb. How was the handling of the car? How many models are available of the car?
	() Thanks

28th December 2007, 17:12	#8
jyobeb Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Madurai Posts: 1,010 Thanked: 704 Times	As far as my information goes, there seems to be only one variant. Handling in the limited drive that I did seemed very good. The ride was firm but the suspension did not crash into potholes either.
	() Thanks

28th December 2007, 17:27	#9
shatrughna BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 894 Thanked: 68 Times	Hey man lucky you ! thanks for sharing. Any idea on the automatic version - is it available or its only manual. Last edited by shatrughna : 28th December 2007 at 17:30.
	() Thanks

28th December 2007, 17:38	#10
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	Did you take any pics of the vehicle? Howz the performance?
	() Thanks

28th December 2007, 18:18	#12
rippergeo Posts: n/a	I just popped into GM showroom here, they dont have a demo car yet, probably by jan 15th they said they showed me a faxed brochure from GM india HQ it is rather disappointing! no mention of 4WD at all,instead the brochure says "Front wheel Drive" Is this true? can it be true? It's taking the cost cutting thing too far or is it taking the soft roader trend too far? Looks like its going to be the tucson for me. not even waiting for the launch of the captiva. @samurai san- sir the tucson has selectable 4WD, and it also cuts in during 2WD mode if the car senses loss of traction see this link Welcome to Hyundai Motor :: Hyundai Tucson Last edited by rippergeo : 28th December 2007 at 18:27. Reason: posting link
	() Thanks

28th December 2007, 18:45	#13
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	What an unassuming title for a Test Drive of a vehicle that is yet to be launched! I nearly missed it. Beboy you should've highlighted it more. The Petrol Captiva sold here is a boring vehicle (funnily enough I do not remember it it was a 4WD!) to drive with the 2.4 Daewoo/Chevrolet Epica engine, even though it is well equipped with good seating for 5. From Beboy's comments it looks like the 150 bhp Diesel is another story altogether.
	() Thanks

28th December 2007, 20:05	#15
BUSA Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,130 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Nice review Jyobeb - I am pretty sure the Captiva will be 4WD, otherwise GM has really gone crazy. Petes on this thing will make it insane
	() Thanks