Holden Captiva is a medium sized SUV, buyers tell us they chose it because of its good interior space after comparison with competitors such as Ford Territory and Toyota Kluger.
Sales were high from the time it went on sale in 2006 so there are plenty of Captivas to choose from in the used-car scene.
Take advantage of this to find one in that suits your needs and budget.
Though the Captiva is imported from the General Motors Daewoo factory in South Korea it has extensive Australian input in its body styling and mechanicals.
Holden Captiva is offered with five and seven seats. The third-row seats can carry adults in moderate comfort, but are better suited to pre-teen children.
Boot space when all seven seats are in place is minimal, which is hardly a surprise as this is a relatively small vehicle.
If you want more passenger/luggage space it might be better to choose a larger SUV.
The rear seats can the folded down in several ways, when all are flat, you have a handy 1565 litres of cargo space.
There are many small stowage compartments throughout the cabin.
The large wet/dry area beneath the load compartment floor is an excellent idea.
There’s a sort-of sporty model called the Holden Captiva Maxx.
Initially all Captivas had a part-time 4WD system, with drive normally being to the front wheels with the rear wheels being engaged when extra traction was demanded.
While the Captiva is not a heavy-duty 4WD it can go surprisingly far in the hands of an experienced driver.
A 2WD version, driven through the front wheels, was introduced in December, 2009.
Called the Captiva 5 and using the Maxx style body it’s a powered by a 2.4-litre four- cylinder petrol engine.
When introduced the only Captiva engine was a 3.2-litre V6 petrol unit built in Australia by Holden and a close cousin of the Commodore engine.
A 2.0-litre diesel engine was added to the options list a few months later.
A five-speed automatic with manual overrides was the only transmission until the arrival of the Captiva 5, which is offered with a six-speed manual as well as the automatic transmission.
The automatics were upgraded to six forward ratios with the introduction of a facelifted Captiva in February, 2011.
All models come with electronic stability control, ABS brakes with brake assist, traction control, active rollover protection and descent control.
There are dual front airbags in all models with side curtain airbags optional in the lower cost models and standard on the others.
Captiva got what proved to be its final major makeover at the start of 2016, with an updated face, interior changes and added technology.
Despite the brand now being gone, Holden still operate almost everywhere in Australia.
Most will stock the more common spare parts for the Captiva.
Other parts can usually be shipped in within a couple of working days.
Parts prices are often lower than average for an imported vehicle in this class.
Service and repair costs are reasonable and the relatively simple layout of the Captiva means the good amateur mechanic can do a fair bit of their own work.
Safety related areas should only be carried out by professionals.
Insurance costs are reasonable and we haven’t seen a big variation between companies.
However, it’s always smart to shop around for the best deal making sure that you’re comparing apples with apples when doing so.
Holden took the Captiva from the Australian market during 2018 just before the company extended its warranty from three to five years, although some models were covered under a special seven-year cover if it was purchased in 2017.
Either way, it doesn’t apply anymore.
All vehicles sold in Australia must guarantee availability of spare parts and servicing for a minimum of 10 years.
In the absence of Holden dealerships this is available through a General Motors national aftersales network.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Engines that are slow to start or blow smoke when worked hard may be due for major repairs.
Look for oil leaks under the engine and the transmission.
Check the engine dipstick to be sure the oil level is significantly above the ‘low’ mark.
Automatic transmissions that don’t go into Drive quickly when moved from Neutral or Reverse may need servicing – possibly even major repairs.
Make sure that all warning lights are out after the engine’s been running for a few seconds.
Check for rust in the lower area of the body and in a Captiva that may have been used on the beach.
Look over the interior for signs of dirt having been ground into the carpets.
Similarly, check for damage and/or stains on the seats.
Look for off-road damage to the bumper corners, the door sills and for light scratches in the paintwork on the doors and the front guards.
If the load area has been used to carry heavy items there could be damage to the panels and floor.
HOW MUCH?
Expect to pay from $3000 to $6000 for any pre-2011 Holden Captiva; $6000 to $10,000 for a 2011 Captiva 5; $7000 to $11,000 for a Captiva 7 LX; $8000 to $12,000 for 2013 Captiva 7 CX; $9000 to $13,000 for a 2014 Captiva 5 LTZ; $11,000 to $16,000 for a 2015 Captiva 7 LTZ AWD; $13,000 to $19,000 for a Captiva 7 LT AWD; and $15,000 to $22,000 for a Captiva 7 LTZ AWD.
CAR BUYING TIPS
Thinking of buying an SUV? Many are used only on sealed roads, others are driven
off-road and may have been knocked about. Guess which is the best buy…
Take a friend with you when shopping for a used car.
That way they can keep the chattering sales person at bay while you check out the car without interruptions.
Used car prices have generally increased during the period of new car stock shortages.
Start looking at adverts for used vehicles several months before you intend buying.
That way you can get a feel for the price being asked and whether they are rising and falling, as dealers need to clear stock due to overcrowding.
Keep an eye on adverts for new cars that say there are specials on particular models.
This can lead to a lot of traded-ins taking up too much space in yards and they will be discounted to get rid of them.
Keep an eye open for ads of unpopular cars, as there can vary greatly in price.
Owners struggling to find a buyers may be forced to grit their teeth and drop their asking price.
If checking a used car at a dealership look at other cars on the lot.
This can provide an insight into the quality of the vehicles in which the dealer specialises.
If buying privately ask for proof of ownership and make sure the insurance covers you for taking a test drive.
Take a slow walk around any car you’re considering, looking for obvious defects.
It amuses us how many people dive into tiny details, only to discover later a major ding somewhere on the other side of the car.
Ideally any road test of a car you’re getting serious about should be done with the engine stone cold. Early morning is best.
If you’re serious about buying a vehicle, tell the seller you would like to take it for a good long test drive.
If they insist on coming that’s understandable, but try to avoid them “selling” the car to you.
Put bluntly, ask them to shut up,
In their later years, cars with a reputation for being long lived and trouble free sometimes attract buyers who have no intention of ever servicing them.
The next owner may suffer as a result.
RECALLS
To browse recalls on all vehicles go to the ACCC at: www.productsafety.gov.au/products/transport/cars/
BE SURE TO CHECKOUT OUR OTHER USED CAR REPORTS