Chevrolet Captiva: peppy family cruiser

In the Philippine market, it is plain to see that seven-seaters are king. The same, of course, applies to multi-purpose vehicles (MPV), which are often the go-to class for folks wanting a family-friendly ride. 

In line with the aforementioned, a majority of car companies have continuously maintained an MPV offering in their respective lineups. Popular examples include the Toyota Avanza, Toyota Veloz, Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid, Suzuki XL7, Hyundai Stargazer, and Hyundai Stargazer X - among others. 

Chevrolet Philippines, on the other hand, released the latest iteration of the Captiva MPV last year. The said introduction comes after a long absence since the last one was axed back in 2018. 

The said model is built on a totally new platform with the bells and whistles of a modern people carrier. So, despite being a late returner to the local MPV arena, does the Captiva have the right stuff to penetrate the minds of Filipino car buyers? Zigwheels Philippines checked out the top-of-the-line Chevrolet Captiva Premier to learn more about its offerings. 

Exterior

When it comes to its exterior, the Captiva went for a style that evokes the gruff machoness of a sports utility vehicle (SUV). It has a high-riding stance, plenty of black plastic claddings, and a squared-off silhouette with a lot of angular details. 

Particularly eye-catching are its LED daytime running lamps, which somewhat mimic the ones found on the Chevrolet Camaro. It also has a prominent front lip, which gives it a sporty appeal.

Its shapely rear end was likewise enhanced by wrap-around LED taillights, a roof-mounted spoiler, and a chunky rear bumper. 

Overall, the Chevy-made model looks impactful, but it would score more style points if it didn’t have faux dual exhausts. Notably, the model also lacks a power-folding function for its side mirrors, and its set of 18-inch wheels come in a two-tone “machine cut” style, which has become a tiring design trend in this day and age. 

On the flip side, its body bears a lot of features one would want from a family car. It has a nice and wide trunk door with a relatively low lip, a pair of roof rails, and rain-sensing functionality for its wipers. 

The Chevy MPV also beats its competitors when it comes to girth. The aforementioned is a crucial point, as it hints at a much wider interior space for its occupants. 

Here is a table detailing the dimensions of the Captiva Premier:

Model	Chevrolet Captiva Premier
Length (in millimeters)	4,670
Width (in mm)	1,835
Height (in mm)	1,750
Wheelbase length (in mm)	2,750
Ground clearance (in mm)	180

 

As a point of comparison, the Hyundai Stargazer X is 20 mm narrower compared to the Chevy nameplate. 

Interior

Step inside the Captiva, and one will find a well-arranged cockpit brimming with features. 

Dominating the dash of the MPV is a 10.4-inch touchscreen, which is significantly larger than the ones found in other models within the segment. Its six-piece speaker system also returned decent sound quality, and its video feed from its 360-degree camera system is quite clear even at night. 

The model also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I extensively used the Android connectivity feature, though I discovered that the vehicle’s port was rather picky about USB cables. It sounds nitpicky, but I had to test it out with three different cables to find one that didn’t keep disconnecting with the slightest road bump. 

The model also comes with a very legible seven-inch digital gauge cluster, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an electronic parking brake, a front cabin center armrest, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. 

Other notable driver and comfort features available  to the Chevy ride include the following: 

• Automatic air-conditioning with rear vents
• 60:40 split-folding second row
• 50:50 split-folding third row
• Push-to-start button
• Tilt-adjust steering column
• 12-volt power outlet
• USB ports

Overall, the control surfaces inside the MPV are well within reach for the driver, but some button positioning can catch some first-time users off-guard. The all-important hazard light button, for example, is located just below the left central air-conditioning vent. The “AC Max” button is also positioned on the right side of the steering column. 

Additionally, the fan speed and temperature control for the automatic air-conditioning unit are tied to the touchscreen. While this setup reduces the design complexity of the dash, fiddling with the touchscreen while behind the wheel can lead to distracted driving. 

With regard to its second row, it is supremely generous in terms of space. For my five foot, 11-inch height, I found no issues when it came to room for heads and legs. The third row, on the other hand, is better suited for smaller adults or children. 

The Premier trim I drove for a week also had a panoramic sunroof—one of the largest in the segment. Of course, this feature is great for uplifting the mood of its occupants. 

With all seats upright, the Chevy provides 117 liters of cargo space. But with the second and third rows folded down, it offers a massive 1,709 liters of space to work with, making the ride a winner when it comes to activities such as camping, shopping, or even lugging around large sports equipment. Plus, all seats fold down into a nice flat surface.

The seats, particularly the second-row ones, however, have an unusual way of folding down (you need to separate the seatback from the base with a push of a button). Regardless, it became easier for me after reading the vehicle’s user manual. 

Safety

When it comes to safety, the Chevrolet Captiva comes with what one would expect from a modern MPV. It has anti-lock braking, a 360-degree view camera, hill-start assist, traction control, tire pressure monitoring, ISOFIX, six airbags, cruise control, stability control, and front and rear parking sensors - among others.

It does, however, have a noticeable lack of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS), which can be a point of contention, especially for techy car buyers. Plenty of competing MPV models, after all, already come standard with an ADAS suite. 

Powertrain

Under the hood of the Chevrolet Captiva is a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine. The said mill is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), sending power to the MPV’s front wheels. 

At maximum, its four-cylinder engine can generate up to 147 horsepower (hp) and 255 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. With the said output, the Captiva stands as one of the most powerful models in its segment. 

Thanks to its peppy engine, the Captiva had no qualms about maintaining highway cruising speeds and overtaking. However, its CVT showed a bit of initial lag whenever I tried to push the vehicle hard. On the other hand, the aforementioned accelerator lag is very brief, and the Captiva responds well enough with smooth and steady pedal inputs. 

Steering the MPV likewise felt direct and intuitive. Like most cars with electric power steering, however, it didn’t return much feedback, but that’s par for the course when it comes to modern mass-market rides. 

The Chevy model’s suspension system likewise sat in the “Goldilocks zone,” at least for my tastes. It wasn’t too soft or too rigid, and it didn’t return much body roll when taking curved roads at speed. 

Wind and engine noise, however, can penetrate the cabin at highway cruising speeds. But it isn’t too distracting or jarring to become a problem. 

Here’s a table detailing the mechanical specifications of the Chevrolet Captiva Premier: 

Model	Chevrolet Captiva Premier
Engine	1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
Transmission	CVT
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive
Horsepower	148
Torque	255 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Torsion beam
Brakes	Front and rear discs

 

Variants, Pricing

The Philippine-spec Chevrolet Captiva has two variants. The entry-level LTZ is priced at P1.258 million, while the top-spec Captiva Premier retails at P1.408 million. 

Final thoughts

As indicated above, the Chevrolet Captiva does a lot of basic car stuff par excellence. Within its class, it has one of the most powerful engines, one of the largest touchscreen displays, and one of the most expansive sunroofs. It is also a fair bit of practicality, thanks to its exceptionally versatile seating arrangement. 

All of its superlative qualities are well and good, but it has some notable weaknesses as well. Some buyers might shy away from the model due to its lack of an ADAS kit, which may be hard to swallow for some buyers. 

As we always say, however, serious would-be car buyers on the hunt for an MPV should test drive the Chevrolet Captiva. Doing so, after all, is always better than reading about the vehicle on the internet, and it will make for a better buying decision in the end. 

Also read: 

Evaluating the Pros and Cons of 2024 Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet PH offers Captiva with ‘Heart Racing Deals’

Chevrolet PH now officially under HARI