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Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 D

Test date 15 June 2006  Price as tested  £20,395

What is it?

It’s an SUV, a five- or seven-seater and, underneath, Vauxhall’s forthcoming Antara will be much the same. Comes with two engines: diesel or petrol, both four-pots.

What’s it like?

The diesel’s a 2.0-litre with 148bhp, and is reasonable, if a tad on the noisy side and lacking in pull below around 2000rpm. The petrol’s a bigger 2.4-litre unit but only has 134bhp, so it’s slower overall, but ironically feels, if anything, a shade more responsive from very low revs. The range will start from about £16,000 when it goes on sale in the first quarter of next year, and two- and four-wheel-drive versions will be available. We tried a 2WD petrol and dynamically it felt more responsive than the 4WD diesel we also got a steer of. But there’s little to write home about in this respect, both ride adequately, but are otherwise devoid of engagement and class. Still, the interior’s quite well put together and designed, and it’s extremely spacious. Specify the seven-seat version and there are even two nicely sized seats in the boot; big enough for a pair of adults. It’s cheap, too: should be £1500 to £2000 cheaper, says Chevrolet, than the equivalent Hyundai Santa Fe. Which will, interestingly, also be cheaper than the equivalent Antara, so the Vauxhall had better get better dynamics and sound insulation.

Should I buy one?

I know few SUVs are really enthusiasts’ cars, but there are some out there with genuine tactile and dynamic qualities that the enthusiast can relate to. This, however, isn’t one of them. So although it does tick the boxes that Chevrolet reckoned it ought to, it doesn’t quite float our boat.

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