Big, comfortable Chevrolet wagon

Good value for your money - and it will get you from A to B just as quickly as will any other make.

In spite of its size this large people-carrier (which, within a few simple clicks converts into a seven-seater or a five-seater with acres of luggage space) it is an easy wagon to drive and park, even in congested supermarket parking areas, thanks mainly to its light steering, high riding seats and large windows which provide good viewing all round.

Our test model during the Festive Season was the 2.4-litre Captiva with manual transmission, which at R325,400, is also the least expensive of the three-model range and it brought back fond memories of Christmas two years ago when we went on holiday in the first locally launched model.

Although quite at ease in suburban traffic the Captiva shows its likeable nature when you point it's nose out of town and head for the countryside where it is as happy to trot quite briskly on long stretches of tar as it is kicking up dust on patchy gravel farm roads or crawling up steep and tricky tracks to and from an isolated cottage in the middle of nowhere where we regularly spend some quality leisure time.

A lot of bang for your bucks

OK, so the Big Chev is not exactly up there with the fancy pants German snob name badges and it is not a true, blue-bearded, rolled-up sleeves off-roader, but it still offers a lot of bang for your bucks. In fact, it is a damn good, common sense, all-rounder family coach.

Over and above its long list of fancy kit the Captiva's recent nip-and-tuck and the addition of fresh make-up touches, plus some extra convenience items, it now also offers more factory-fitted options.

• All three the variants now feature a "Touch-Pad" luggage gate mechanism and passenger seatbelt warning and although dual-zone climate control aircon is standard on the most expensive model it is now also available as an option on the 2.4T manual and automatic models.
• All three models now brags with a spruced up front bumper, fog lamp surrounds and grille as well as a revised rear bumper, exhaust outlets and prettier tail lights.

There's ample space in the back for everything you might wish to lug along for the trip.

Although it is a high-profile, box-shaped typical SUV it is actually quite a handsome beast with really classy living quarters furnished in all-round leather, a super sound system, steering column adjustments for cruise control, electric windows and mirrors and a long list of driver aids and safety kit, all housed in a light, airy cabin designed to make family travel more fun.

The cavernous cabin is what really sets the Captiva apart from competitors such as Jeep Cherokee, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, VW Tiguan, Nissan X-Trail and Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai 1X35.

The leg, shoulder and bum space in the Captiva is really impressive and what we particularly liked was the flexibility of its seats and cargo space. Within seconds you can convert this spacious wagon from a seven-seat people-hauler into a flat-bed cargo-carrier that will swallow trestle tables, camping gear, a few cases of wine and food plus the other toys and necessities for a family holiday.

An easy folder...

What we also enjoyed is the ease with which the seats can be folded down or up...Just one simple lever per seat and up or down it goes. So easy even the most impractical of guys (read, this writer) can do it without giggles from fellow passengers and sarcastic offers of assistance from She Who Knows Everything.

What a pretty pair.

Safety features rate highly with most buyers of family transport and the Captiva comes wall-to-wall with some serious standard kit including ABS brakes with EBD, six airbags, ESP, traction control, and power steering.

Other additions to the long list of niceties include a fully adjustable steering column, auto headlight controls, opening glass on tail gate, rear park assist, sunroof, plus cruise control, heated rear windows.

... And a fun drive

From a driver perspective the Captiva is fun to drive. With front wheel-drive, a gutsy 2.4-litre engine that kicks out 123kW and 230Nm, a smooth five-speed manual shift and fairly predictable steering the Captiva can be hustled along at a fair nick but be warned - because the power bands kick in at fairly high revs it can be quite thirsty.

Overall, a likeable, extremely driver-friendly vehicle that works well on the daily commuter run, is perfectly suited for its role as mum's taxi on school runs and both practical and fun as weekend family toys hauler.

It's priced competitively and a five-year/120,000km warranty and roadside assistance and three-year/60,000 service plan will make you sleep quite well at night - and so will the knowledge that since its arrival on local shores more than 7,000 South Africans have become owners of these big on space, safety, practicality, and family fun Captiva wagons.

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