Test Drive Of The 09 Captiva Will Be Out Soon. Stay Tuned!

Our new writer, TheGunner is currently testing out the 2009 Captiva. Watch out for his write up and review soon!

I collected the car from Wisma DRB-Hicom yesterday, and here are my initial impressions:

- Diesel clatter at idling is very lorry like.
- Driving position: The headrest, even after being pushed all the way back, still sticks out a little too much.
- The test car, which bore a WSQ plate, and registered less than 3,000km on the odo already has stain marks in its beige interior.
- Ergonomics are fine. Most controls are well-placed and easy to reach. No real good spot to put my phone though.
- Powertrain's a gem on highways. There was never any need to push the engine beyond 3,000rpm.

We'll be taking the car up to Penang, joining a durian eating trip organized by the Captivian club. The agenda will include driving the Captiva on roads ranging from PLUS highway to the challenging twists of Balik Pulau.

Stay tuned for our test drive!

I just brought the Captiva back from an exhausting trip with Penang, having covered over 1,000km with it in 4 days. It was a good trip, and the Captiva handled itself well throughout - on the PLUS highway, in the city, twists at Balik Pulau or along the steeps of Bukit Genting.

Additional discoveries since we set off:
- It's a well-handling SUV, able to maintain good composure at the bends, but its ride is a little on the busy side.
- Drivetrain is very capable: smooth on highways, and pulls strongly up steep slopes.
- Descent Control worked like a dream going downhill, but it would sound disconcerting for first time users.
- The seats configure themselves into multiple positions easily. It's actually quite spacious in the third row, if you're in the region of 175cm in height and below.
- Compared to the 2008 Captivas, the 2009 unit received a few enhancements, but the clear lens tail-light gives the car a very cheapened look.

We are returning the car to Hicom tomorrow, and we are aiming to publish our test drive report by Tue evening. Wish me luck!

*Clap clap clap clap clap......*

Good job bro. Few sentence already direct readers to the possitive direction. Waiting for your full report. Hope to hear more on the good NVH.

Thanks for the support bro.

I had actually finished the test drive report this evening, but have yet to publish it.

Just got back from futsal, now doing final checks. Coming out soon at the blog.

Ok, test drive report's up on the blog. Enjoy the read, and please leave your comments here on this thread, or on the blog comment section.

Autoworld Blog >> Blog Archive >> Test Drive: Chevrolet Captiva 2.0L Diesel AWD

Additional pictures of the Captiva test drive that did not make the final cut of the write-up.


All the electronics


Funky looking handbrake, but don't fully release at times.


Cup holders are so out of date. We use bottle holders now.


The rear fogs prove their usefulness in heavy rain.