Holden Captiva 5 2011 Review

Holden Captiva 5
?Road Test

??Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $29,990
?Options fitted (not included in above price): nil
?Crash rating: Four-star (ANCAP)
?Fuel: 91 RON ULP ?
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 9.1 ?CO2 emissions (g/km): 216?
Also consider: Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-7

Holden's Captiva is one of the most common softroaders seen trawling shopping malls and contesting the daily commute. Indeed, the Korean-built softroader has been a strong seller for Holden since its introduction -- so strong, in fact, it outsold all other medium SUVs in 2010.

But Holden is not resting on its laurels. An updated Holden Captiva Series II was released earlier this year – and it appeals on several fronts.

On test here is the $29,990 entry-level Captiva 5 – a front-drive, petrol-engined model which arrives at a handy $1000 less than the model it replaces.

The new 5 comes standard with a six-speed automatic gearbox that does a reasonable job of maximising the four-cylinder petrol engine's potential. During freeway driving it slots into top gear early and lopes along at 100km/h. Alas, when you request full throttle, the gearbox hesitates momentarily before dropping a gear or two.

The 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is no powerhouse but it will satisfy most family users. Pumping out 123kW and 230Nm it has enough herbs to haul the Captiva's 1665kg mass away from traffic and up moderate inclines when lightly laden. With three passengers and only minimal luggage onboard, however, it starts to feel a little lethargic. It also tends to get a little strained when revved hard -- almost as though it's not breathing as clearly as it would like.

The claimed fuel consumption average for this vehicle is 9.1L/100km and we recorded 10.9L/100km during our seven day test over about 450km. For the record, about 80% of our driving was done in urban areas in heavy traffic.

One of the best things about the Captiva, compared to its contemporaries, is the visibility you get from the driver's seat. Both fore and aft visibility is very good, and the rear pillars are not so thick as to create a secondary blind spot. Sure, the overall design is a bit dull as a result, but I'd much rather a dull design that allows me see other road users.

The steering is also well suited to the urban environment, being light and with plenty of power assistance. The Captiva's relatively compact dimensions (it's less than 4.6 metres long -- 299mm shorter than a Commodore wagon for example) ensures you'll rarely have to second guess the locations of the car's extremities. Shame the Captiva 5's turning circle is so poor. A three-point turn in most cars becomes a five-pointer in Holden's softroader. This also makes parallel parking cumbersome. Thankfully front and rear parking sensors are standard.

Ride quality is at the firmer end of the spectrum. I would have preferred a more supple ride, but I can see the benefits of the stiffer suspension tune, namely handling.

In my view the car's appeal lies in its value for money and practical interior. Take a quick walk around the car and you'll note several standard features that would have been optional not five years ago. Features such as cruise control, electric windows, power door mirrors, roof rails, climate control air conditioning with pollen filter, a seven-speaker six-disc CD stereo, leather steering wheel, three 12V sockets, 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps and the above-mentioned parking sensors are all standard.

Standard fit safety systems include six airbags (including front and rear curtain airbags), electronic stability control, active roll over protection, traction control, anti-lock brakes.

A plethora of cupholders and storage cubbies (including a hidden storage compartment underneath the front cupholders) add to amenity.

By the way, this hidden storage space is made available by the removal of a hand-operated park brake, but to be honest I found this button operated system took longer than a hand-operated park brake to work because you can't just wrench it on at a whim. You have to wait for its electric servos to (loudly) engage.

Perhaps our biggest criticism of the Captiva 5 is that the interior is beginning to a look dated. It's practical but won't win any awards for style. The seats suited my relatively slim and tall frame nicely, with great torso bolsters and firm cushions, but the cloth upholstery is best described as 'hard wearing'.

The ergonomics and general look and feel of controls in the car varies from pleasant to bargain basement. While the steering wheel controls are great (simple to operate and easy to understand), the ventilation and climate control layout and centre console look out-of-date.

Navigating the menu system is tiresome too. With some practice it gets easier but the Opel carryover stereo controls will never be anything but ugly in my mind.

Simply, the Captiva 5 doesn't convey the same sense of style or quality as its Hyundai and Kia counterparts – indeed both the Sorrento and Santa Fe are better cars in my mind. That said, Holden has nailed down the value equation very nicely, delivering plenty of kit for your cash.

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