Chevrolet Captiva (2007 – 2015) Review

Chevrolet Captiva (2007 – 2015) At A Glance

3/5

+Well equipped as standard. Seats seven reasonably comfortably. Quiet when cruising. Decent diesel engine. Improved facelifted model from 2011.

-Steering is light. Not great in corners. Feels a little dated compared to other SUVs at this price.

Insurance Groups are between 21–32
On average it achieves 86% of the official MPG figure

The Captiva is Chevrolet's big seven-seat SUV, offering buyers the kind of practicality that usually comes with cars twice the price. It first went on sale in 2008 and was the first of Chevrolet’s UK models that couldn’t trace its origins back to previously being a Daewoo.

Vauxhall sells its own version of the Captiva called the Antara, but it’s the Chevrolet is cheaper, better equipped and has a great warranty. It’s a more enticing all-round proposition which explains why you'll see plenty on the roads - unlike the Antara.

In theory there’s a choice of a diesel and a petrol engine, but the 2.4-litre petrol was never a big seller and quietly dropped from the line-up so it's hard to track down on the used market. And you probably wouldn't want to anyway. The engine line-up was tweaked in 2011 and the 150PS 2.0-litre diesel, which has always been a bit on the gruff side, was replaced with a more modern 2.2-litre diesel with outputs of 161PS and 181PS.

Other changes for the Captiva facelift include new exterior styling look (most evident in the wide grille, updated headlights and puffed-up wheelarches), chrome detailing inside and an upgraded sat nav and stereo system. Chevrolet has also worked to improve refinement on the move with lower noise levels.

Since its launch, space and practicality have been the Captiva’s strongest pulls and they continue to be so, with the option of five and seven seats, plenty of space for family life and - of course - the go-anywhere capability that comes with four-wheel drive.

Whether you’re buying new or used, the Captiva represents good value for money and low running costs for a car of this size. Since Suzuki stopped the old Grand Vitara XL-7, it’s become one of the cheapest new seven-seat 4x4s you can buy.

Road Test Chevrolet Captiva 2007

Real MPG average for a Chevrolet Captiva (2007 – 2015)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

86%

Real MPG

22–39 mpg

MPGs submitted

96

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

What's the Chevrolet Captiva like?

"I am thinking of buying a Chevrolet Captiva. It's got 81,000 miles on the clock and the trader is asking £3995.. It's got service history and MoT until April 2017. Plus three months warranty. Inside and out is immaculate. It drives well too. What are your thoughts on the Captiva?"
We didn't think so when new. This was our test: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/chevrolet/chevrolet-captiva-2007-road-test/ But, more importantly, these are the problem areas (not too many, actually): http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/chevrolet/captiva-2007/?section=good
Answered by Honest John

Can I remove a DPF from a new car?

"I am looking for a new car, preferably a larger SUV style vehicle (I don't like the smaller versions) but I am worried about DPF filters as I work for myself and only travel two miles to work (five miles a day on average - max. 2000 miles a year). I do carry a lot of things from work though so need a lot of space. The Chevrolet Captiva seems good value and I also like the Volvo XC60 - should I be worried about the DPF filter? I considered getting it removed but have been told this will be an MoT failure. Can you help? "
Illegal to remove a DPF. Your type of use could lead to it clogging with soot, then later with ash. You can get a Ford Tourneo Connect with a 1.0 litre petrol EcoBoost 100 engine and that works quite well.
Answered by Honest John

New car needs engine rebuild - what are my options?

"I purchased a new Chevrolet Captiva a few months ago. Within weeks of owning the car an oil drip appeared on my driveway and the dealer told me to bring it in for a check-up. However, on the way to the garage, the oil light came on and it broke down. By the time the recovery service arrived the car and dumped all of its oil onto the road. The dealer has stripped the engine down and told me they are replacing the oil pump and some connectors, but I am not happy. I spent £30,000 on this car and god knows what damage has been done to the engine. Can you tell me what my options are? "
The car was fundamentally faulty when you bought it and it's still within six months of date of purchase. Demand either a completely new engine (not a rebuild) or your purchase price back minus an allowance for your use of the car from march to August. Law here: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/
Answered by Honest John

Which offroad-capable SUV for use in India?

"I have owned a Tata Safari SUV for five years and now wish to buy a new car. The car I require should have decent off road capabilities but stiffer suspension preferably, as most of the Indian state highways are not so good. The options available to me are Ford Endeavour, Land Rover Discovery, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Fortuner, and I'm also really interested in a Chevrolet Captiva or a Mitsubishi Outlander."
The Fortuner is just a HiLux pick-up with a world domination body. The Ford Endeavour was a Ranger pick-up with an SUV body, common in India and Thailand, and the forthcoming new one is based on the excellent new Ranger. The Disco is utterly brilliant, though not as reliable as a Santa Fe. So that leaves the Santa Fe. Even the 2006 version was good on rough tracks. The 2010 version with its 2.2-litre R-Type chain cam engine is better and now it's being updated again, along with its sister car, the KIA Sorento. Tests of Disco, Santa Fe and new Ranger at www.honestjohn.co.uk
Answered by Honest John
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