In-depth reviews

Chevrolet Captiva owner reviews

"The Chevrolet Captiva boasted seven-seat practicality and plenty of kit for not a lot of money"

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by Richard Ingram

5 Jan 2017

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Carbuyer Rating

2.2 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.5 out of 5

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

54%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Engine (1 case)
Electrics (2 cases)
Other (4 cases)
Brakes (1 case)
Brakes, Electrics, Engine, Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 case)
Engine, Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 case)
Electrics, Other (1 case)

Review 1 of 37

Tell us what you think about your car?

One of the worst vehicles I have bought. Turbo charger, a major engine part, failed at 43,234km. Can you imagine a major engine part failing at 43,234km? Engine is a big problem in the Captiva. As it is GM is a average car company. And In India, we thought Chevrolet is a well known brand. I also own a Honda Accord and a Hyundai Santro for last seven years and I never faced any problem like these.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

This is the worst car I have ever owned. I would not recommend a Captiva to anyone. It is in the shop again after leaving me and my granddaughter without a ride home once again. This is the fourth time in three months I have been left with a dead car and had to call someone to come pick me up.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Has been excellent, no problems at all.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

The secret's not out yet. Which is why you don't see many captivas around, but with very competitive pricing, oodles of practicality, reasonable running costs and good looks, i don't think it will be long. This is a well put together beastie, which if you're looking for loads of room with a seven seat option, makes very good sense. For such a large vehicle, it's suprisingly frugal, returning 40+ mpg on a motorway run & 30+ mpg around town when driven carefully. The high driving position is excellent, giving good visibilty and making the captiva easy to drive considering its large size. The 2.0l diesel engine is also suprisingly capable, but not quite as refined as some others out there. The seating is very comfortable, even the extra 2 seats, although these two seats are not really suited to an adult on an extended journey. The ride quality is also good. Firm, but not too firm and able to soak up pot holes without fuss. The on demand all wheel drive system works very well, only coming into play when the front wheels lose traction. It coped excellently in the recent heavy snow and ice. One niggle though is the turning circle. Yes it's a big vehicle, but other similar sized vehicles turn in a slightly smaller area. It's not really a problem once you get used to it. The interior feels plush and there's plenty of gadgets in there without having to go for the top of the range. It's not got the qudos of an x5, q7, disco' , (which i've driven), etc, but then it's absolutely nowhere near the same price to buy or run. Don't be put off by the chevvy badge either, it's general motors, and by all accounts, the vauxhall antara is pretty much the same vehicle. I can't comment on reliabilty, as i've only had this vehicle for a month, but there's a three year warranty as standard on new ones. It seems very well screwed together and there's nothing that gives immediate concern. If the captiva sounds like it fits your requirements, take a look at one. I think, all things considered, you'll be very pleasantly suprised.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Superb

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Hated it. Appalling car. Will not bother with chevrolet again.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

electrical niggles

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

had no problems to date

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Good performance. nice styling, good ride, good car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very good value, so far so good,

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Less than a month after purchasing my wife and I drove from St. Louis out through Kansas, Colorado to Utah/Nevada and back through Arizona, N. Mexico and Oklahoma. Great car for either highway or off road. Gas mileage could be better but plenty of power. This winter my wife had no problems with rain, sleet, snow or ice. One concern and at this point not an issue is with a slight vibration/noise between 30-55 miles and hour. This may be common with all wheel drive?

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

no problems so far

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Had no problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Car is hazardous to your pets. One of our dogs slipped his leg between the back seat backs and rear platform and was badly cut. Needless to say he was not quiet and he did bleed profusely. The same could happen to people. There is angle iron under the rear platform that would take anyone's skin off.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

No major issues encountered

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

"Not good to drive" - what rot - I've owned Porsches, Mercedes and Alfas and whilst it doesn't fall into any of those categories, my Captiva drives extremely well considering its size. It's a hardy workhorse with an excellent torquey engine and if they were still being sold in the UK I'd get another like a shot.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Alarm goes off all the time. Doors lock. Turbo went within two years. 2 sets of discs all round. Gear linkage went replaced twice. Just gone 3 time engine warning light. Electrical things don't work, took it to garage no fault found - worst car in world. Oh, and recall on starter motor 6 months until they get parts rest of world recalled 2 years ago stopped selling in UK so don't buy secondhand. Death trap gear linkage went on motorway and pulling onto motorway started making noise on way home and smell and linkage went. Can't afford to keep cant afford to get new car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I bought this cat brand new from the dealer. The car looks great and had everything we required. The £10,000 off the list price also helped. After 5 weeks we had gearbox problems. The car was off the road for 3 days while the gearbox and rods were replaced as we could not change gear. 6 months later drive shaft joint failed. This was also replaced with the car off the road for another 2 days. Flywheel was also replaced as more knocking noises from the engine compartment. Now the steering column has to be replaced as there is a knocking noise coming from that. All the above have been replaced under warranty otherwise the car would be off the road as the costs involved fairly mount up. I have just teased this car in to buy another SUV but not a Chevrolet.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I love this car, it fits everything in! Even 7 big lads going to a concert! The reviews about the small back seats are incorrect, 6ft odd people are fine! Drives well and feels sturdy! Heavy on diesel mind, but that's to be expected.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I bought this car ex-demo a few months old and £10k off list price - bargain! That said I would have been disappointed if I had paid full price as the fit, finish and quality of the interior of the car is not as good as my old VW Touran which this has replaced. On saying that though this is a good car with plenty of kit on board, including DAB radio, auto lights/wipers, dual zone climate control and part leather interior. I've just been on a long driving holiday in it up to Scotland and it's been brilliant, storming up the motorway (with cruise control) and handling with ease some of the challenging and steep minor roads that we found. It's comfortable, reasonably efficient on the motorway (I've got just over 40mpg with a light right foot). It's got a comfortable and lofty driving position, it has undeniable road presence and looks good. It's due it's first service soon (will have done 10,000 miles in 9 months) so I'll take a view on costs after that. So far I've been very impressed with this car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Only had car three weeks! Better than expected, hoping for better fuel economy/performance as running-in progresses, only dissapiontment is the vagueness of the instruction book plus no wiring diagram,other- wise veh.is ecellent inc. tv/dvd player & blue tooth [heated seats a bonus!]

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Good all rounder Good value for money Realiable

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Great car. Spend a lot of time driving, only complaints; no 6th gear (i understand the new model will have 6th gear) and the radio reception is rubbish. Vauxhall model has a roof aerial!!!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very under rated

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Few problems but only minor

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very big and practical for family with the 7 seats. Smooth ride for driver and passengers. Gears slightly knotty and engine can be a bit gruff, but for the price i paid at motorpoint, which 8k off list price, i'm a very happy customer. Its not as refined as an audi or bmw from the same class, but its much better value for money and does what it says on the tin!!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Good large faqmily run about and a nice looking car as i alway wanted one ideal for family work horse.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Nice car Good value for money Suits my needs as needed to be able to carry electric wheelchair in the boot Not first choice if car But worked out £4000 cheaper than any other suitable car

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

There have been a few problems with rear wash wipe failures (sometimes dumps water in rear of car) , cd/radio replaced ,trim parts replaced , one part of which hit the wind screen at 70 mph, Steering bushing replaced due to wear....at about 13000mls. The car is or would e a great car only for some shoddy parts and some areas of bad design features , an example... wind screen wiper area ices up badly in snow (fills with ice & snow) and wipers cannot be warmed up as they lie below the heated area of the wind screen. They then become if they work two large blocks of ice trying to clear the window. Chevey could do better.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellant... no problems... fits my usage and life style.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Bought to replace ford focus estate, as due to remote rural location and difficult access to my house in winter is difficult. I was slightly dubious as to how well the on demand 4 wheel drive would perform, but has worked well and is almost impossible to tell when it kicks in, but kick in it does, and to date i haven't needed any assistance either by digging, pushing or towing along a 200 yard track in poor condition with a steep slope up to the house, even in deep snow.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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