2014 Holden Captiva 7 LTZ diesel review

Maybe it’s just me but Holden’s Captiva range is starting to look better with age.

While the price of traditional foe the Hyundai Santa Fe has crept up a notch, Holden has managed to keep a tight rein on Captiva prices.

In fact they were cut by up to $2500 recently which combined with other improvements continue to make Captiva great value for money.

Value

The five-seat Captiva is priced from $25,990 or the seven seat model from $29,990. Our test car the top of the range 7-seat all-wheel drive LTZ diesel comes in at $40,990 - $2500 less than it used to be.

Along with a price cut Holden has also renamed the grades, with LS, LT and LTZ replacing SX, CX and LX.

The LTZ comes with all the fruit including leather and climate air, heated front seats, eight-way power adjust driver’s seat, keyless entry and start, cruise control, electric parking brake, auto lights and interior mirror (but not wipers), 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite navigation and 8-speaker audio with USB and AUX inputs.

Design

Captiva has received a touchup. Styling changes include a redesigned front fascia and grille while the rear styling has also been updated with redesigned chrome exhaust tips and a new LED tail light design.

Both Captiva 7 LT and LTZ receive new integrated side steps while the LT receives new 18-inch alloy wheels.

What about the dimpled side steps? They look like they have been lifted straight off a BMW X5.

Driver convenience is enhanced on all Captiva 7 models with the introduction of sensor key technology with passive entry and start as a standard feature.

Engine / Transmission

The 2.2-litre turbo diesel produces 135kW of power and 400Nm of torque, the latter from 2000 revs.

The diesel is paired with a 6-speed automatic that provides the option to change gears manually if desired.

Good to see the engine features a timing chain rather than a fibre belt which contributes to lower maintenance costs.

The all-wheel drive system functions in front wheel drive mode most of the time.

As soon as the system detects a loss of traction the rear wheels come into play via an electronically controlled clutch to ensure optimum traction.

The LTZ rolls on 19-inch alloys with 235/50 series rubber.

Rated at 8.3 litres/100km we were getting 8.5 litres/100km after more than 500km.

Safety

Gets a full five stars for safety from the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

Six airbags are standard along with Electronic Traction and Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA),  Active Rollover Protection (ARP) and Descent Control System (DCS).

Front and rear park sensors are also standard along with a reverse camera.

Driving

Driving this car back to back with the new Commodore, it is easy to see the inconsistencies in their design and equipment - one is built in Australia the other in South Korea.

Although it features a 7-inch screen the entertainment system for instance is not the MyLink system found in Commodore and most other models, but a different system entirely.

You still get navigation with a digital speedometer and speed warnings, but your current speed is displayed in the right hand corner of the computer screen rather than in the middle of the dash.

Cruise control lacks accuracy and the satnav system reckons you’re going faster than the speedo is telling you which is a bit of a worry with so many cameras.

Connecting a phone can be challenging too. Not a biggie, but you need to iniatiate the connection from your phone.

Get a flat and you’re stuck with a can of goo and reinflation kit.