Chevrolet Captiva LTX VCDi, Manual March 9, 2008
Posted by carcritic in Uncategorized.Tags: 4x4s, car reviews, cars, global warming, new cars, uk cars
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Model tested: Chevrolet Captiva LTX VCDi, Manual
Price as tested: £21,140
Range price: £16,995 – £24,825
Insurance group as tested: 12E
Insurance group range: 10E-12E
Date tested: December 2007
Road tester:
The Chevrolet Captiva is a keenly-priced seven-seater SUV with 4×4 capability on all diesel models.
It also comes with plenty of extras from the entry-level model upwards.
We drove the Chevrolet Captiva for a week to find out whether it’s as good as it sounds.
The Chevrolet Captiva is a stylish, chunky SUV with stacks of presence. The big, gold manufacturer badge dominates the grille while the car’s profile goes for the coupe-like styling seen on other new SUV/4×4 models including the Mazda CX-7. It seems tidy and compact for a car which can carry up to seven.
7/10
The Chevrolet Captiva might be at the budget end of the SUV spectrum but that isn’t reflected inside the car. The driving position is great, nice and high, as well as being comfortable. The information panel is easy-to-read, though the green illumination might not be to everyone’s taste and the controls on the central console are easy to manage. The Chevrolet Captiva has a good interior which provides a nice environment for longer journeys. Full leather trim is available on the top-of-the-range LTX model and is good quality.
8/10
Chevrolet claims the Chevrolet Captiva is the best value seven-seat SUV on the market (the petrol version is only available as a five-seater and there is a diesel option in this configuration too). The third row of seats do not lend themselves to long trips but should be fine for ferrying the little ones’ mates over shorter distances. The seats lie flush to the floor when not in place and are incredibly easy to “put up” – you simply pull one handle. With all seats up the boot space is limited to just 85 litres. However, flatten the back row, the second row and the front seat and the total load volume increases to a maximum of 1,565 litres. It is more SUV than off-roader but has (on-demand) 4×4 capability on most models (see Performance).
9/10
The diesel model Chevrolet Captiva we drove is an SUV with “on demand 4×4 capability” (The petrol model is front-wheel drive only). That means most of the time it operates as a front-wheel drive car with the 4×4 capability automatically kicking in when the vehicle senses the occasion warrants it. Chevrolet claims the on demand 4×4 capability enables the Captiva to match the handling of smaller cars – and it is relatively nimble for a seven-seater. However, the steering is inevitably a little vague and the car wallows in corners. But when it comes to ride quality, the Captiva is excellent. One of the regular passengers during our week-long test had recently suffered a very bad back and commented on the comfort, even over speed bumps.
8/10
The Chevrolet Captiva comes with a choice of two engines. The entry-level model is powered by a 2.4-litre manual petrol engine. But it is the new 2-litre diesel engine, available with a manual or automatic gearbox which is expected to account for the vast majority of sales and was the version we tested. All models boast roughly the same top speed, ranging from 111mph-115mph with 0-60mph times of 11.5 seconds for the two manual models and 12.2 seconds for the automatic. A five speed gearbox is standard on all models. We found the manual diesel model to be responsive with plenty of power available when needed.
8/10
Fuel economy is reasonable for a car which can seat up to seven. Both automatic models, petrol or diesel, average 32.8mpg while the manual diesel model should achieve 37.1mpg. Go for the manual model and your car will fall within tax band F, currently a £200 annual bill. Obviously the more passengers you regularly carry the more economical your motoring will be.
7/10
The Chevrolet Captiva was launched in 2006 after undergoing three million test miles but it is a little early for reliability issues to have surfaced yet. The South Korean-manufactured vehicle comes under the General Motors umbrella (Vauxhall is its big seller in this country and the Vauxhall Antara its sister car) and is backed by a three year/60,000 miles warranty plus three years AA roadside cover.
7/10
The Chevrolet Captiva was awarded four out of a maximum five stars following EuroNCAP tests. The 4×4 capability will assist grip on the diesel models and all cars benefit from safety features anti-lock brakes and six airbags (with electronic stability program available on LT and LTX models).
7/10
The value for money emphasis on The Chevrolet Captiva’s sees all models come with plenty of extras. The entry-level five-seat petrol-powered LS version comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, electrically adjusted door mirrors, CD player and steering wheel-mounted controls. On diesel models there is a choice of LT and LTX models. The LT model, available with five or seven seats, adds 17-inch alloy wheels, electronic stability program, cooled glove box and leather-covered steering wheel and gear knob. The top-of-the-range LTX model we drove adds 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, trip computer, cruise control, full leather trim, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers and more.
9/10
Chevrolet is as good as its word. You get great value for money with the Chevrolet Captiva. But in terms of the car itself, the feature which impressed us most was the superb ride quality. This is a very comfortable car for drivers and passengers, although, as mentioned above, the third row of seating is best used for short journeys.
8/10
BMW 730Ld SE March 8, 2008
Posted by carcritic in Uncategorized.Tags: bmw, cars, england, new cars, posh, TV, uk
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Model tested: BMW 730Ld SE
Price as tested: £54,550
Range price: £51,850-£85,445
Insurance group as tested: 17
Insurance group range: 17-20
Date tested: January 2008
Road tester: Adrian HigginsAuto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 86%
Need to make an impression? Want to be ferried around from power meeting to power meeting in utmost comfort – but still get some fun out of driving?
The BMW 7 Series promises all this and more, wrapped in a seriously attractive package.
Web Editor Adrian Higgins put the flagship luxury saloon through its paces for a week.
1. Looks
Our colleagues have become a little blasé about the dizzying range of vehicles which turn up at the Auto Trader offices. But the BMW 7 Series stopped them in their tracks and prompted some to suggest the delivery might be for them. The BMW Series 7 represents the German saloon in its finest form. It is very recognisably from the BMW saloon family, albeit with the distinctive kidney grille widened. A 2005 makeover, which included the introduction of the long wheelbase model we drove, introduced features such as a slight bulge to the bonnet to emphasize the car’s sporty side in addition to its luxury credentials.
10/10
The speedo and rev counter dominate the information display, but everything else you need to know is simply laid out or accessible by scrolling through information on one of the steering wheel stalks. Another stalk is used for shifting through the automatic gears which soon becomes second nature so although the steering wheel fulfils many functions, it doesn’t feel overloaded. Between the driver and front seat passenger is a generous storage area fronted by the iDrive controller which operates the sat-nav, entertainment, communications and air-con. The set-up is repeated in the rear arm rest. The whole interior carries off the luxury feel well with extremely comfortable electronically controlled leather seats and curves which echo the car’s exterior shape.
9/10
The practical purpose of the long wheelbase car we drove is likely to be ferrying company chairmen and CEOs between engagements. He or she is certainly not going to be disappointed by a rear environment which features loads of legroom, access to the iDrive system, a TV monitor and a footstool as well as very comfortable leather seats. The boot is cavernous and able to accommodate 500 litres of luggage. Inside the car there are four cupholders and some neat storage solutions within the central console. Space within the glove compartment is limited but the storage areas along the car’s central area are generous. There is plenty of headspace too.
8/10
Sitting in the rear is the luxury experience one would hope for while the opportunity for a more engaging drive is provided by awareness but no discomfort from lumps and bumps in the tarmac. We found the car very comfortable as driver or passenger but behind the wheel it has a nimble quality which belies its size although some will consider the electrically-assisted steering a bit vague. The Long Wheelbase version we tested features a “self-levelling rear suspension” which is set to ensure rear seat comfort, especially over speed bumps.
9/10
BMW offer a choice of four petrol engines but most buyers are expected to opt for the 231bhp 3-litre diesel engine we tested. It powers the car from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds through the six-speed automatic gearbox and can achieve a top speed of 149mph. Acceleration was very responsive, the gear changes smooth and power available quickly whenever required. The petrol engines range from the 3-litre 258bhp 730i which adds 5mph to the top speed to the range-topping 6-litre 445bhp 760i which covers the 0-62mph sprint in just 5.5 seconds and boasts a top speed of 155mph.
9/10
The diesel engine makes for the most economical motoring in the range, returning an average of 34.4mph. Pretty good for a luxury car. The petrol engines are thirstier with the 6-litre 760i returning 21.1mpg. CO2 emissions from the 730i are 242g/km, placing it in top car tax band G, along with the other models, which attracts an annual bill of £300, increasing to £400 in April 2008. Insurance for the group falls into Group 17-20. However, buyers of luxury cars are unlikely to expect cheap motoring from a luxury car.
7/10
This is a top quality car constructed from sturdy materials. The attention to detail is to a high standard: subtle lights highlighting the door handles, the elegant flipping of the boot at the click of a button. Each model comes with a three year warranty. The Reliability Index indicates issues with the 7 Series tended to crop up after around six years and would usually concern the axle, suspension and the cooling system. However this relates entirely to the outgoing model which was replaced by the existing model in 2002 before being further revised in 2005.
8/10
The BMW 7 Series comes with ten airbags as well as a host of driving aids to keep you out of trouble in the first place. These include anti-lock brakes and dynamic stability control as well as bumpers which will return to their original shape in impacts of less than 4mph. The car has yet to undergo EuroNCAP testing.
8/10
The petrol-engined 730i and the 730Ld SE diesel model we come with a high level of equipment including the safety features listed above plus park distance control, front fog lights, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlights, electric seats and CD player. The SE models add 18 inch wheels, voice control, and sat-nav. The 740Li and 750Li adds self-levelling rear suspension and rear windscreen sunblind. The 760 model adds comfort seats, automatic bootlid operation, hand-stitched leather instrument panel and many more features. The sport models add 19-inch alloy wheels, sports seats and suspension package as well as a three-spoke steering wheel.
8/10
There are plenty of X-factors to choose from. But if forced to choose one it would be the design. The BMW 7 Series looks superb.
10/10
CAR Critic 