Category: Small 4x4s 
Price Range: £17,815 to £25,455
Good value for money, large and reasonably roomy, well-equipped; doesn't pretend to be a proper off-roader.
Bouncy, wallowy ride; less-than-sharp handling; gutless petrol engine.
Cheap and cheerful, but has no unique selling point, nor any reason to choose it over its similarly cut-price Korean rivals. Feels dated already.
The Captiva will suit those who choose an SUV purely for its high seating position, view out of the road and the perception of solidity and indestructibility - but not anyone looking for a more involving driving experience. It's obedient, with a well laid-out cabin and (in most versions) a multi-adjustable steering wheel and driver's seat, but the steering is light and its suspension prone to wallowing at higher speeds. The manual gearbox is clunky and stiff, and the auto rather slow to react - barely helped by the selectable sequential-shift function, not that many Captiva buyers are likely to use this.
The four-wheel-drive system (in the diesels) sends up to 50% of power to the rear wheels when slippage is detected; it's an automatic system, with no chance to select or lock 4WD, and it works in conjunction with the stability control and hill descent control (neither fitted to the LS 2WD model) and ABS anti-lock brakes. Enough to cope with most driving needs and the school run, of course, aided by the raised ground clearance, but little more. Towing capacity is up to 1500kg (2.4 manual), 1700kg (2.0 auto) or 2000kg (2.0 manual).
The diesel (150bhp, 236lb-ft) is the one to go for; claimed performance figures are 111mph and 0-60mph in 11.5 seconds (manual) and 112mph and 0-60mph in 12.2 seconds (auto), and whilst it's not quick off the mark in real-life, it is relatively unstressed once it gets going. The auto can cruise quite happily, making for relaxed progress, though the manual can be harder work on steep, twisty roads.
By contrast the petrol engine (133bhp, 162lb-ft, with manual gearbox only) doesn't feel as lively as those numbers suggest, even though the peak torque arrives at just 2,200rpm, 200rpm above the diesel's maximum torque speed and the claimed figures are 115mph (again) and an 11.5-second 0-62mph time. The petrol engine does rev to 6,500rpm, though, and does so smoothly, if noisily. So there's pace there if you really work at it.
