Chevrolet's updated Captiva is practical and well-specified for the price, but it still lacks proper performance
The Captiva _ Chevrolet's first SUV for the Thai market _ has reached mid-life, explaining the new prominent face that almost makes it look all-new when actually it isn't.
WHAT'S NEW?
That's why the rest of the Captiva's skin is just like before, like the unchanged side profiles and rear part. However, Chevrolet did take the effort to spruce up the interior with a slightly redesigned instrument panel and upper console.
In order to make the Captiva a little more relevant with today's existing alternative fuel offering, there's a new 2.4-litre (engine size remains roughly the same) petrol engine that can additionally run on E85.
Also new is a six-speed automatic transmission in place of the old five-speeder. Rounding off the technical upgrade is a tweaked suspension to improve the handling and ride balance.
To appeal to a wider audience, the number of trims for the petrol-powered Captiva has grown from two to four.
The LT and LTZ is distinguished from the lower LS and LSX with curtain airbags, with prices of 1.507 and 1.580 million baht respectively. The 73,000 baht premium the LTZ commands over the LT nets you 19-inch wheels (don't ask how much the tyres cost when they need to be replaced) and multi-function display to accommodate sat-nav system.
With the 4WD LT and LTZ, Chevrolet hopes to snare more buyers from the Honda CR-V, which comes with a 1.424-1.513 million baht price range in 2.4-litre form.
The 2WD LS and LSX, priced at 1.198 and 1.282 million baht, would help keep users of the CR-V 2.0 and Toyota Fortuner 2.7 petrol-head in check.
The fascia has been slightly reworked, although the CR-V’s still works better.
WHAT'S COOL?
Sport-utilities should look rugged and good, and the Captiva's new face seems to do the trick. It certainly looks more macho than the controversial CR-V and too-pickup Fortuner (even after the second facelift).
Since the Captiva is a seven-seater with dimensions nearly as generous as the Fortuner, practical-minded punters can forget about the five-seat CR-V (and Nissan X-Trail).
There now seems to be more ride comfort in the Captiva. The rear suspension, for one, doesn't bounce as much as before, while the seats are noticeably cushier to sit in. Actually, Chevrolet says the seat cushions have been changed before the facelift following complaints from customers of the initial batch of cars.
At the same time, fine road-holding ability has been maintained in the Captiva to make the vehicle a very sound choice for families doing lots of upcountry driving.
The petrol engine lacks mid-range punch.
WHAT'S NOT?
The engine, in short. The motor and gearbox are an improvement over the outgoing combination, but performance overall is still flawed, if slightly better than before.
Although it accelerates from standstill with hardly any fuss, the Captiva with this new engine still lacks breath in the mid-ranges before coming back to life again at high engine revs.
In technocrat speak, the torque distribution isn't ideal for a heavy SUV like the Captiva that's just as porky as the pickup-based Fortuner; the figures pretty much speak for themselves (see graphic).
You could call the Captiva underpowered if roads get more demanding. So the best way to overcome lack of urgency is to shift the transmission into manual mode and take reign of the engine speed yourself.
During our test run from Bangkok to Kabin Buri using E85 bio-fuel, the average came to just 7.5 kpl. Even if you're using an E10 blend _ that's far, far more readily available around Thailand than the exotic E85 _ it would still be difficult to attain a double-digit figure.
The LTZ trim nets 19-inch wheels.
BUY OR BYE?
That the Captiva is a seven-seat SUV priced between 1.2-1.6 million baht with loads of equipment (depending on your budget) makes it good value against the CR-V. And combine this with driving ability, the Captiva is more sophisticated than the Fortuner and its likes.
The only aspect where Captiva buyers need to think twice is the engine. If you are pretty sure that performance and economy isn't a priority, then Chevrolet's only SUV offering sounds quite attractive against its purported opposition.
The automatic now has six forward gears.
New diesel is coming
Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) says that 80% of Captiva sales went to the diesel _ not a surprise at all _ which is why they want to increase the ratio of the petrol version. In other words, Chevrolet wants the Honda CR-V's cake.
But you really can't help going for the diesel version. It simply plugs the deficiencies of the petrol variant with better economy and mid-range punch, thanks to the use of a turbo.
Should you wait for the facelifted Captiva with diesel power due later this year? Chevrolet openly recommends you do so.
There will be a new diesel engine, displacing the same 2.0-litre size but with twin-cam format in place of the old single-cam. The gearbox will also go six-speed, promising better economy, too.
Insiders who have driven it say the diesel is more refined than its predecessor's, which was a leftover unit from a obligatory deal with Italy's VM Motori.
E85, according to Chevrolet
- The Captiva becomes the third official E85-compatible model in the Thai market after the Volvo S80 2.5 and Mitsubishi Lancer EX 1.8. Flex-fuel technology means the ability to take a variety of fuel whenever required: petrol or bio-ethanol (E10, E20 and E85).
- When running on E85, the fuel will be used up more quickly than when using other types. The alcohol content in E85 has higher calorific value. Chevrolet claims that the E85 is 20% less fuel efficient than E10 although 5% better in torque performance.
- Given that E85 is around 40% cheaper than E10 at current pump prices, Chevrolet says users save by 20% on fuel bills. Such a gap between the E85 and E10 depends on the (volatile) fuel policy of the Thai government.
- In order to make the Captiva E85-compatible, Chevrolet had to change certain parts (tank, hose, pump etc) that come into contact with alcohol, which is corrosive in nature. The engine control unit (ECU) also had to be remapped.
- Chevrolet doesn't recommend E85 after-market conversion kits. Simply recalibrating the fuel system is only "job half done", it says, adding that unchanged parts prone to alcohol will be damaged in the long run.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment