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New rugged Chevrolet captivates with 7 seats
In a market suffering seriously from SUV overload, something as basic as a couple of extra seats could tip the scales in favour of the new Chevrolet Captiva.
In families where people are more important than luggage space, the prospect of adding two extra passengers could make a difference between opting for the Chevvie or going for one of its rivals including, ironically, the closely related Vauxhall Antara.
The Antara has a higher spec and is better finished, but it is also more expensive and has just five seats.
It is all down to priorities. Are five seats enough or do you need the extra flexibility of seven?
And is saving some money more important than a more enviable badge?
In fact, as well as the Antara, the Chevrolet goes head to head with a load of compact off-roaders and in terms of space and cost it comes out very well.
The range starts at under 17,000, but that model is fairly basic and there is no question the 2-litre diesel options are the ones to go for.
The top of the range costs nearly 25,000, which could make some potential buyers look elsewhere.
Those that return to the Chevrolet showroom will have decided that the car I road tested, the LT specification automatic model with the seven-seat option, is good value at under 22,000.
This one has a decent selection of equipment including all-round airbags, air conditioning, a cooling compartment in the glovebox, rear parking sensor and steering wheel mounted audio controls.
Pay a bit more and you can have leather trim, automatic headlights, power heated door mirrors and rain sensing wipers, but I doubt if many people will bother.
The Captiva looks strong and rugged but is honest enough to admit it is not a proper off-roader.
The base model is two-wheel-drive only and with the rest, the four-wheel-drive kicks in automatically when needed.
It does, however, have the high riding position of the traditional off-roader and, apart from wide rear pillars which partially block the view, visibility is pretty good.
The seats are comfortable and even the two in the back could cope with adults at a squeeze.
The layout is also very flexible and it converts neatly and quickly into estate car proportions with the seats folded.
Ride and handling are perfectly acceptable and Chevrolet's performance figures promise top speed of 112 mph for this model and an average fuel consumption figure of well over 30 mpg.
Not the most captivating model but there is no doubt there is a niche for value for money pretend off-roaders in the UK and the Chevrolet may well be the one to fill it.
The Chevrolet dealership in West Norfolk is Sterling Chevrolet which can be found on Hardwick Road, Lynn or online at a href="http://www.chevroletlocal.co.uk/sterling" target="_blank" title="External link">www.chevroletlocal.co.uk/sterling
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 12 February 2012
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