Captivated by the Chevrolet Captiva

With several jobs to juggle, I usually have an unpredictable schedule in spite of how much planning I undertake.  So what automobile should I use if I don’t know how my week will unfold or what activities will come my way?  I always keep an eye out for cars that are versatile.
Like matching bags with my shoes, I like cars with exteriors and features that can match my various activities—traveling to the office, to the TV studio, to social gatherings, or to outdoor activities.
The Chevrolet Captiva 4x2 is versatile not only in its look, but in its performance too.
As a compact SUV, the Captiva exudes a commanding presence.  It has sleek, bold lines, masculine corners, and a dual port grill in the front with the iconic Chevrolet bowtie insignia at the center.  The tough exterior is balanced by its delicate chrome exhaust tips and rear lights that project a sophisticated look.
My previous week’s schedule of activities was as varied as can be, but the Captiva 2.0L CRDi Turbo Diesel immediately fit right in.  Last week (including Independence Day), I had to drive around the crowded streets of Metro Manila—traveling to and from the office and regional trial court (for my law firm work), the CNN Philippines studio (for my TV show), the supermarket (to do groceries for the week), and commercial establishments (to attend lifestyle events and birthday celebrations). By Sunday, I drove out of town to the North Polo Field to go riding and watch a polo match. In all of these events, the Captiva was the perfect companion.  It looked sophisticated enough for my trips to the office or to social events, yet rugged enough for my grocery errands and outdoor activities.
With a seating capacity for seven adults with all seats up, I had enough room in the second row to work on my laptop and have my huge office bag on the floor next to me as I had my driver take me from one destination to another. I kept my other things in the trunk such as a bag of clothes and spare shoes (for the days I had to do my TV hosting duties, or attend social gatherings straight from the office). But for those who need more space or have irregularly shaped cargo, the Captiva’s second and third row seats can be folded to create a trunk space of 1,577L. This makes the Captiva the most spacious compact SUV in its segment.

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Most weekdays, I sit at the second row of the car while typing on my laptop or while eating my meals (in transit from one office or destination to another).  Because of this, a stable ride is important (lest I get nauseated while typing, or spill food or drinks all over my clothes). The Captiva has a relatively smooth ride due to its McPherson strut-and-stabilizer, 4-dimension, multi-link suspension system.  What’s more relevant to me is the Captiva’s self-leveling system that distributes weight equally around the car to accommodate uneven passenger distribution (because I like sitting on one side of the car).
The interiors are a balance of comfort and practicality. The seats could be reclined enough to let passengers have a comfortable nap (perfect when stuck in traffic or riding long distances). The Captiva does not have a leather interior, but I found the fabric upholstery seats comfortable. An advantage of fabric seats is that they don’t get too hot even after leaving them parked without shade under the Philippine sun.
Features of the Captiva include Bluetooth connectivity for mobile phones, MP3 players, and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. I also found it helpful that a charging outlet was available at the second row seat. As someone who has to be chauffer-driven during workdays, some features that I hope the next-generation Captiva would include are rear A/C controls, radio/audio controls at the rear, and bigger storage space on the sides of the rear doors. The storage spaces on the sides of the rear doors have no space for drinks or anything thicker than two inches. Also, the armrest at the rear second row has uncovered cup-holders. These are great for holding my bottled waters or coffee, but not good when I’m looking for a flat surface to place my documents or food.
Whether I was driving through the urban streets of Metro Manila, the NLEX, or the narrow rough roads leading to the polo field, the Captiva performed beautifully. The 2.0L CRDi turbo-diesel engine produces 161 hp and 400 Nm of torque. It was easy to maneuver the Captiva in small streets, uphill roads or uneven surfaces. The engine accelerated quickly when I had to overtake in the highways.  Despite its powerful engine, the Captiva proved to me that it has commendable fuel efficiency with its six-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control and ECO drive mode.
So how much does one have to pay for versatility? Not much for the Chevrolet Captiva. The 2.0L FWD Diesel Captiva has a price tag of around P1.39 million, while the 2.4L FWD Gas Captiva has a price tag of around P1.29 million (with both variants having 6-speed transmission engines). That’s pretty cheap when you think about not having to change from one car to another as you change your activity modes, something that I usually have to do with my ever-changing daily activities. It’s not easy to find an attractive and compact SUV that can go almost everywhere with me, which is one of the several reasons why I found myself captivated by the Chevrolet Captiva.

Source: Chevrolet (Facebook)