HOMING IN ON THE LATEST CHEVROLET CAPTIVA
2009-09-10 18:23:12 Author: admin Source:
The 2009 version of the Chevrolet Captiva Diesel 2.0L was recently presented to us for a customary test drive. The Diesel 2.0L version was the talk of town in terms of fuel economy and efficiency since its inception mid of last year until the mid of this fiscal year. Having won numerous accolades for its fuel efficiency and the title of "SUV of the Year", the 2009 version has more than equal its predecessor in terms of overall SUV package and added elements.
At a glance, the Captiva captivates your sights with its fluid curves and stylish exterior with admirable elegance and sensibility. Its exterior is enhanced by its bold front bumper guard, sleeker headlamps, chrome wind deflectors and clearer bold rear lamps.
Peek into its interior, we discovered that most of the amenities available in the Diesel 2.0L were similar to the previous Captiva 2.4L model we had tested. GM has put a lot of effort into the interior of the Captiva, making these variations as luxurious and as comfortable as possible for owners.
The Captiva 2.0L interior aspects include plush leather leather seats, extra legroom and increased spaciousness. More than ever, the Captiva 2.0L fits five adults and two children very comfortably.
In terms of storage, the Captiva has the storage convenience of up to 930 liters and ample compartments to conceal your precious small belongings.
Its interior presents an inviting ambience and comes completely refined dashboard with a user-friendly and multi-functional steering wheel.
One of the most likeable features for us was probably the Bluetooth-enabled CD / MP3 eight speaker audio system. For most of our drives, we were practically connected via my V3xx with the Bluetooth audio system and jammed all my favorite tunes. The system easily sync with my phone and the sound quality was more than acceptable, crisp and clear, setting an enviable mood for every journey. This function is true to Hicom-Chevrolet’s testament to encourage wireless communications for the driver's ultimate convenience, mobility and connectivity while on the road.
In addition, owners now has the advantage of the storage capacity of their mobile phones and wirelessly send CD-quality stereo music from their phones or other Bluetooth-enabled devices to the Captiva’s radio system. Known as the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), this feature also presents the driver with an eight-speaker hands-free car kit at his or her disposal.
The Captiva A/C system has a slight improvement and its cooling effect was much more evident on short distance drives. Aside from that, the Captiva does have other cooling advantages such as; electronic climate control, a cooling glove box and separate A/C vents for rear and third row passengers.
Most vehicles these days are equipped with steering wheel push-buttons for audio, mobile handsfree (depend on Manufacturers' specs) and cruise control functionalities (depend on Manufacturers' specs), this Captiva provides its very own unique steering wheel button controls and even 'tiptronic' gear shifters.
Its steering wheel controls include audio and cruise controls, while the most integral interior portion of the car is the multi-information display that reveals mileage, fuel efficiency, temperatures, digital compass and other relevant vehicle information.
The gear lever is located well within the reach of the driver, adding the final touch to the Captiva’s interior simplicity and classiness.
We took the Captiva to the Historic City of Malacca for city and highway speed runs to define the Captiva 2.0’s Diesel Commonrail Injection with Variable Turbo system and 5-speed auto transmission 'tiptronic' feature.
The small and compact roads in Malacca allowed a real test on the car’s suspension and overall sturdiness. On the highway, the vehicle was very effective and responsive in terms of speed that adhered to its rather boisterous Commonrail Injection powerplant.
Handling was a bit volatile, especially on corners at higher speed on shorter routes due to the vehicle’s ride height predominantly. However, its stability was evidently greater on highways, allowing 150 – 160km/h without much glitch. And, with the ARP (Active Rollover Protection), HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist) and DCS (Descent Control System), extra stability and road handling were ensured on various driving environment. The self-leveling feature also provided more balance and kept the vehicle stabilized whenever it automatically turned on.
On slight ascending roads with blind corners and tricky bends, the Captiva had no real issue once the ARP, HBA and DCS kicked in, and was particularly smooth on any ascending roads within Malacca city limits.
Within the city, we dealt with ‘tiptronic’ or semi-automatic transmission mostly to gain some advantage on peak traffic situations. Upon the switch, the car gained slight power and began its gradual acceleration when the Variable Turbo system came into effect. Overtaking couldn't have been more easier...
On the return journey, we hit the state road and drove the Captiva full out to try to figure out the fuel consumption. On our gas stop, the 2.0L gave us a good 400km (averaging 11.2 - 11.8 per km), much much more than its predecessor or the 2.4L.
On the flip side, the only query about the Captiva 2.0L was its prevalent engine noise which we deemed a little too excessive and definitely not recommended at quiet neighborhoods.
On the flip side, the only query about the Captiva 2.0L was its prevalent engine noise which we deemed a little too excessive and definitely not recommended at quiet neighborhoods.
In a nutshell, the Captiva does live up to its claim of a contemporary sports utility vehicle with plenty of power and an equally flexi-interior.
Available in two optional packages; Sporty or Elegant, the enhanced Captiva is sure to suit any discerning SUV drivers who attest to driving a quality vehicle with value-added elements.
The Captiva comes in a selection of four vibrant body colors: Sparking Tan, Iceberg Blue, Highland Green and Alpine White. Pricing for both the 2.0L diesel and 2.4L Gasoline have been capped at RM157,124.40 and 146,248.40 respectively without insurance.
For more information, log on to www.Chevrolet.com.my.
