CHEVROLET CAPTIVA test drive since 2006 SUV

Procession

Today, the Chevrolet brand is very popular in Russia.
 
Which, however, is no wonder, because in almost every class of cars there are now there are models of this brand. There was a novelty in the so -called SUV Chevrolet Captiva class.
 
One glance at the Chevrolet Captiva is enough to accurately determine: in front of you, in recent years, the most popular segment of cars not only of the Russian market. As a matter of fact, the design of the Captiva transmission speaks for itself a constant front -wheel drive with the rear bridge connected using a coupling. The moment of joining the latter is determined by electronics. The driver cannot intervene in this process, since there are no additional keys or levers on the car that are equipped with serious SUVs. From real rogues there is only an enlarged road clearance and a black plastic body kit, designed to protect the body from the effects of stones flying from a country road, the rest is typical for most crossovers. Swift features of the body are more about the dynamic abilities of the model than about its off -road qualities. Some find the resemblance of Chevrolet Captiva with such eminent classmates as Lexus RX350 and even BMW X3 (Nissan X-Trail or Hyundai Tucson, for example, more square and do not really fit into the image). However, this comparison should not scare the potential buyer. Outside, it reminds, but inside Captiva everything is much simpler. Otherwise, it would not have turned out such a democratic price for the model. And she may interest the Russian motorist's cost of the basic Chevrolet Captiva is $ 29,990. True, it cannot be said that in this machine everything is subordinated to the vacation price. The manufacturer did not leave the driver and passengers without the safety elements so necessary today. The body, of course, has special crushed areas, the required number of belts and pillows. In addition, Captiva is necessarily equipped with such electronic rescuers as the target stability and assistance system when descending from the mountain (it does not allow the machine to accelerate, thereby excluding brakes overheating and other problems).
 
The sizes of the Captiva salon are such that the installation of two additional seats in the trunk is provided. Moreover, they cannot be called children's, although the legs of the passengers are nowhere to put, and the trunk in the 7-seater version is not the same. But it is pleased that in a folded state of the seats, they form an even floor, and by adding a second row of seats to them, you can get almost a cargo -passenger van that can accommodate one and a half cubes of luggage. Any summer resident will very like such transformations of the salon, and cheaper interior elements will not make you grieve about the inaccurately loaded skis and other uncomfortable long -meters that often spoil the upholstery of armchairs or doors.
 
For Chevrolet Captiva, two engines with a working volume of 2.4 and 3.2 liters are offered. It is clear that the basic is the first, 137-horsepower engine. Of course, it is not worth expecting a certain breathtaking dynamics from him, but in the city stream the owner of such a Captiva will feel quite confident. For lovers, the burning in the range provides a more powerful power unit. The consumer is also given the opportunity to choose between two gearboxes automatically and mechanics. The short handle of the manual transmission is well subordinated to the driver’s teams, the programs are turned on clearly and without unnecessary noise in any case, to get instead of the third in the fifth, as often happens on many Koreans, it did not work. Another thing is that the transfer numbers of the Chevroletov box are somewhat strange. So, sometimes the second seemed little, but for the third there was not enough stock of motor power. Probably, the calculation was still made on off-road, where such a property is only for the benefit. At these moments, the sound of the engine already seemed intrusive, although in general the sound insulation of Captiva is quite at the level.
 
Finally, the Chevrolet models got rid of many hereditary flaws that they received historically from the Korean auto industry (the model of Daewoo engineers was developed). So, the seats were pleased, now reaching almost to the knee joints. It is a pity, however, that, even despite the presence of three adjustments of the driver's seat, it was not possible to change the tilt of the seat from it, as it were, rolling on the pedals. They slightly annoyed the steering wheel switches, they were so highly lifted up that they involuntarily recalled their vernacular name for the horns.
 
The four-spoke steering wheel seemed a little thin, but it has a standard CD player control buttons. True, the level of its sound is quite average music lines will most likely not like it. The steering wheel itself is quite sharp, but at high speeds the feedback is violated, it becomes frankly empty. Although with the moderate Captiva rolls you do not have time to get scared of the whole move of the car quite honed. In addition, the brake confidence is added: not only do they work effectively, they also do it smoothly, without excessive fanaticism. The anti -lock system also behaves unobtrusively, gently pushing the leg upward when turning on. I would like to separately note the excellent mirrors that very condition, when you can see and the bottom under control.
 
Obviously, Chevrolet Captiva will be in demand among people who prefer a show -off functionality, and here there are plenty of it. This is a medium -size motor, and a spacious interior, and, finally, the vacation price of the model. Well, the elegant appearance will only strengthen the position of Captiva ...
 
Text: Andrey Konstantinov
Photo: Yan Segal
 

Source: Mkobil [09.04.2007]