Spacious and practical interior
Suspension provides good body control…

… but an overly firm ride
Over-assisted steering lacks feel
Cabin lacks sound insulation
Laggy, noisy turbo-diesel engine
Turbo-diesel engines susceptible to failed roller bearings
January ’06 to May ’07 Alloytec V6 petrol engines susceptible to stretched timing chains

Review: Holden CG.I Captiva (2006-09)

Overview

Released in September 2006, the Holden CG Mark I (CG.I) Captiva was a mid-size SUV, available with five or seven seats. Manufactured in Bupyeong-gu, South Korea, the CG.I Captiva was initially available as an all-wheel drive vehicle that was powered by a 3.2-litre V6 petrol engines. In March 2007, however, the range was expanded with the introduction of 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines; these models were also available in front-wheel drive.

The Captiva range consisted of SX, CX, LX and Maxx variants. Unlike the other variants, the Maxx was more closely related to the European-designed Opel Antara than the Daewoo Winstorm due to its different interior (with a unique instrument cluster and centre console stack), exterior styling and shorter body.

Engines: 3.2 Alloytec V6 and 2.0 Diesel

Of the engines,

Manufactured in Port Melbourne, Australia, the 3.2-litre 10HMA ‘Alloytec’ V6 petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable inlet and exhaust valve timing, a variable intake manifold and a compression ratio of 10.3:1; and,
The 2.0-litre Z20S1 diesel engine had a cast iron block, common-rail injection, a variable geometry turbocharger, single overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 17.5:1.

While the petrol engines were solely available with five-speed automatic transmissions, the turbo-diesel engines were also available with five-speed manual transmissions.

Dimensions

Underpinned by General Motors’ Theta platform, the CG Captiva was 4637 mm long (4570 mm for Maxx variants), 1849 mm wide, 1720 mm tall and had a 2707 mm long wheelbase. Inside, five seat models had 60/40 split and flat folding second row seats; for seven seat models, the third row seats could split 50/50 and be folded flat.

Suspension

The CG Captiva had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, four-link rear suspension; the CX and LX variants also had a ‘level ride’ function which maintained the ride height of the rear suspension under varied load conditions.

Holden CG.I Captiva specifications
Engine	Variant	Seats	Years	Drive	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
3.2-litre petrol V6	SX	5	2006-09	AWD	5sp auto	169 kW at 6600 rpm	297 Nm at 3200 rpm
	SX	7	2009
	CX, LX	7	2006-09
	Maxx	5	2006-08	AWD	5sp auto	167 kW at 6600 rpm	297 Nm at 3200 rpm
2.0-litre turbo-diesel I4	SX	5	2007-09	AWD	5sp auto, 5sp man.	110 kW at 4000 rpm	320 Nm at 2000 rpm
		5	2008-09	FWD	5sp auto, 5sp man.
		7	2009	FWD	5sp auto, 5sp man.
		7	2009	AWD	5sp auto
	CX, LX	7	2007-09	AWD	5sp auto

AWD system

For the AWD variants, the Captiva delivered torque to the front wheels in normal conditions. If traction was lost, however, an electronically controlled electromagnetic coupling would engage and direct up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the rear axle for greater traction.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Holden CG Captiva included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, hill descent control, active rollover protection and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The Captiva CX, LX and Maxx were further equipped with curtain airbags for the front and second row occupants, though the SX was fitted with curtain airbags as standard from September 2007.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2007 Captiva with a 2.4-litre engine and equipped curtain airbags achieved a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 31.23 out of 37. In the offset crash test, protection from serious leg injury was marginal for the front occupants. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test, though a one point penalty was applied in the pole test due to the curtain airbag not fully deploying.

Features: Captiva SX, CX, LX and Maxx

Standard features for the entry-level Captiva SX included 17-inch alloy wheels, a four speaker sound system with CD player and MP3-compatibility, air conditioning (with pollen filter), cruise control, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, tinted windows, three 12 volt power outlets and an immobiliser.

Compared to the SX, the Captiva CX added a six speaker sound system with six-stack CD player and roof rails. Beyond this, the Captiva LX was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, eight speaker sound system, climate control air conditioning, ventilated glovebox, leather-faced charcoal seat trim, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, front fog lamps and a trip computer.

The range-topping Captiva Maxx was distinguished by its seven speaker sound system, contoured seats and three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel; the Maxx was also fitted with unique damper tuning and rebound springs in the front struts to minimise body roll.

Captiva updates: 2007, 2008 and 2009

In September 2007, the Captiva range underwent an update:

The SX was fitted with a leather-wrapped steering wheel;
The CX also gained climate control air conditioning, rear parking sensors, charcoal roof rails, front fog lights, a trip computer and chrome exhaust tip;
The LX was fitted with silver roof rails, chrome door handles, rear parking sensors and automatic headlights; and,
The Maxx received front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights and a retractable cargo cover.

In September 2008, the range was expanded with front-wheel drive SX variants powered by the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine. As part of a promotional offer, the Captiva was offered with free side steps and roof-mounted DVD player on SX, CX and LX variants purchased before October 31st 2008.

From March 2009, the SX and CX were fitted with automatic headlights, while the LX received a reversing camera and leather-wrapped gearshift.

2008 Captiva 60th Anniversary

In May 2008, a 60th Anniversary variant was released; based on the LX variant, the 60th Anniversary added a seven-inch display with in-dash DVD player and reversing camera, a leather-wrapped gear shift, electrochromatic rear view mirror and front passenger under-seat storage tray. Visually, the 60th Anniversary variant could be identified by its new front fascia, new tail lamps, black bezel headlamps and silver painted skid plate, fog lamp inserts, roof rails and door handles.

Brochure

Brochure: Holden CG Captiva (July 2006)