Holden Captiva: FAQs

The Holden Captiva was actually two different vehicles.

The larger version was developed and manufactured by GM Korea with strong input from Holden, while the smaller version was a rebadged Opel Antara known locally as the Holden Captiva Maxx then Holden Captiva 5.

The size and specs of the Holden Captiva shaped up well, but the production reality didn’t prove as satisfying to drive, nor particularly reliable.

A four-model petrol V6 range of all-wheel drive five and seven-seat Captivas launched in September 2006. A turbo-diesel was added six months later and a cheaper front-wheel drive model in 2008.

The Maxx became the Captiva 5 in late 2009 and dropped from the top of the range to become the entry model.

And so it went on through update after update, after update, prices dropping all the while to keep sales percolating.

But the Holden SUV simply could not keep with newer and more talented rivals like the Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-9.

The Captiva finally ran out of steam in 2018, replaced by the Equinox and Acadia.

So was the Captiva a good vehicle? Not really.

The Holden Captiva had two primary production sources. The larger wagon, which could be fitted with seven seats and was known for some time as the Captiva 7, was built by GM Korea. The Captiva Maxx was a rebadged Opel Antara also built in Korea.

The Holden Captiva was built in Thailand for a few months in 2007-08 because of upgrades required to the Korean factory.

Captivas were also built in a variety of other GM factories around the world, reflecting their sale by Chevrolet and Opel.

Not necessarily, as there were both front and all-wheel drive versions of the Captiva built.

Even AWD versions of the Captiva weren’t true off-roaders. Its AWD system was on-demand and predominantly front-wheel drive until slip was detected and up to 50 per cent of drive was sent rearward. There is no centre or rear diff lock or anything so bush-bashing oriented.

Yes. It’s finished. Done. Kaput.