Chevrolet Captiva - hot or not?

[fporto_br]

These are the first shots showing more details of the upcoming Chevrolet Captiva SUV. This, as you guys know, is the production version of the concept S3X, shown at the 2004 Paris Motorshow.

Set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on February, the Captiva will be in european showrooms in June.

Now I ask you... Do you really think this mid-size SUV is a good choice for europe? And what about USA?

I really want this to be released here in Brazil too, as the Chevrolet Blazer is completely outdated and many other great models are available.

 

[Jay]

Holden (GMH) is making a mid size SUV to compete with Ford Territory ( Ford Australia), Im curious if it will a rebadged Captiva or based off of it.

 

[Raghavan]

Looks nice but off which platform?

 

[TheCracker]

Looks like all the other generic SUV's around. Bland, bland, bland.

 

[fporto_br]

Looks nice but off which platform?

According to what I read, it's a brand-new one. Unfortunately, I don't remember the source of this.

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

Looks like everything else thats rolled out of the GM plants in the past 5+ years. Nothing special on it, and I don't really like it to be honest. No wonder GM is downsizing like crazy when they're pumping out ideas like this.

 

[194GVan]

well, it doesnt have the tough look of the fullsize trucks, it has the sissy look of the minivan. boooooorrring.

It looks like a compact suv platform (like a RAV4), not really a blazer replacement. Were you talking about the Blazer or Trailblazer? (Im not sure whats on the Brazilian market) Trailblazer looks 10x better than that.

(thanks Blazin for the pic, this is the best lookin Trailblazer yet!)

 

[240Z]

Terrible, terrible, terrible, and boring.
GM's new strategy seems to try and depress people into buying their cars.

 

[Joey D]

That's replacing the Blazer...oh god!

It looks like they took a VUE and made it fatter. I don't much care for it, way to F something up GM.

 

[fporto_br]

Don't worry... not the american one. I was talking about the brazilian model, that is ****ing ugly!

 

[194GVan]

wow, that looks like the older US blazer, but with the Isuzu knockoff front end.

the Captiva looks a little better but doesnt look as much like a capable 4x4

 

[Magic069]

That's replacing the Blazer...oh god!

It looks like they took a VUE and made it fatter. I don't much care for it, way to F something up GM.

So this is the answer we were looking for huh? Not much of an answer. I was sure they would have used a front end based on the Colorado.

 

[fporto_br]

wow, that looks like the older US blazer, but with the Isuzu knockoff front end.

the Captiva looks a little better but doesnt look as much like a capable 4x4

The problem is: 99% of these cars never saw off-road use... They're used to take the kids to work and put other people's lifes in danger, because old ladies that can barely reach the brake pedal take these V6 gas-guzzlers to excessive speeds, taking corners like maniacs, thinking they're driving a compact car. That's just scary. The vision of a Blazer at high speed makes a chill run up my spine. The Captiva is, undoubtedly, less off-roader than the Blazer, but it must lead to a better on-road performance and safety (our Blazer doesn't offer ABS brakes on the front wheels!).

P.S.: Yes, GM of Brazil was commissioned to make the design of the Isuzu Hombre. That's why they look so familiar.

 

[Joey D]

I can't believe this is meant to replace the Blazer in other parts of the world...chances are it will come to America though. I'm a diehard GM fan but good lord do mess with the Blazer like that. At least make it look less crappy. Also I'll be curious to see what the 2-door looks like...and God help me if they make it an Xtreme.

 

[Danny]

Looks like more SUV-by-numbers.

 

[xXSilencerXx]

The captiva looks like its Europes Equinox.

 

[VIPFREAK]

Looks like all the other generic SUV's around. Bland, bland, bland.

Yeah, I'm trying to figure out what car from outside the U.S. they used and slapped a Chevy badge on...

 

[skip0110]

Looks like a Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage...generic (as TheCracker said). I am not, um, captivated.

Terrible, terrible, terrible, and boring.
GM's new strategyn seems to try and depress people into buying their cars.

 

[skyline speed]

Reminds me of some kind of Mercedes SUV,but overal not a bad car.

 

[Jay]

The front end has got the next model Holden Commodore (VE) look to it and its a new platform. I have a strong feeling this will be very similar to our Holden SUV we will get.

 

[niky]

It's okay as far as CUVs go.

You guys obviously aren't the target audience.

These CRV class vehicles aren't really enthusiast-class machines, more like urban appliances for yuppies and moms.

Taken in that context, it doesn't look half-bad... bland, but then that's the class norm (except for the upcoming CX7).

 

[YSSMAN]

Is the Captiva related to Daewoo or Opel technology?

 

[JohnBM01]

The Chevrolet Captiva looks pretty nice. When I seen some of the touches closely, I was thinking that this was a lovlier Pontiac Vibe. The taillights have that Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Voltz look to it. Up front, it looks stylish to me. Hey, at least it looks better than most other GM stuff between 2000 and 2005, especially here in the States.

Design that I seem to like isn't embraced so much by other people seems like. That's why when I thought the 2003 Pontiac GTO came out, many hated it because it looked bland. Did it look better than the Aztek (Ass-tek)? Did it look better than the unexciting G6? It may look bland, but at least it looked better than most other stuff. Now, if it was made to look more like something I'd absolutely hate... guess what? People are going to think it's the most awesome thing out there.

Granted the Captiva hits America, what's wrong with a classy SUV with smooth lines and sweeping curves? It doesn't look the part of an off-road dominator, but it does look quite civilized for American streets and highways. I just don't want to look at it like "glorified grocery getter." It may look bland to many people, but I think it looks very nice. The premise behind a design like this is that the minivan is dying, and people want something bold and functional and less "boring." So where do they turn? The SUV. With many denominations of SUV (SUV, XUV, SAT, etc.), the premise must be that civilized vans aren't really fun anymore, so SUVs are turning into the new minivan. I'm giving GM a chance because it's one of the world's leading auto makers, much less America. The Captiva is... well... captivating.

What would make the Captiva better (for those who dislike it)?

 

[TheCracker]

What would make the Captiva better (for those who dislike it)?

A car crusher?


Seriously, i don't think its design is particularly bad, infact some of it's detailing is quite nice, i just think that it is extreamly bland looking. Like Niky stated, it's target audience aren't bothered about the looks - as long as their SUV is anti-social they'll be happy

I suppose it's pricing will be the major selling point. X5's, M-classes, Cayannes sell loads no matter what they cost, people just want one. CRV's, Grand Vitara's, Cherokees are bought by people with a budget - the Captiva fits into this group so its looks are not important.

 

[Wolfe]

Meh, not hot.

But Captiva is a better name than fornication spelled in leet. 💡

 

[Omnis]

looks like a scooby rip, but GMerized.

 

[Joey D]

What would make it better? If it didn't look like and obese VUE. The VUE doesn't look aweful, but make it a fat chick and it's ugly. I'm still ashamed this is my truck all grown up. I hope is doesn't make it to America because it'll be on my list to laugh at every time I see it.

 

[VIPFREAK]

I could see Glacius kicking the **** out of that if he used it and PSed it.

Maybe we should have a PS comp on it?

 

[Magic069]

...and God help me if they make it an Xtreme.

Don't worry, you won't want it just based on the I5. I am praying the small block V8 comes true.

 

[livemusic]

Hey, Fábio. Good to see you back at GTP. 👍

The Captiva looks good, but I don't think it will be coming to Brazil so soon.