2020 Chevrolet Captiva debuts in GCC, as rebadged MG Hector
A surprise debut at the 2019 Dubai Motor Show was the 2020 Chevrolet Captiva. We didn’t quite realise what model it is until we saw the “Captiva” badge on the tailgate. It’s a decent-looking compact crossover, but it wasn’t until later that it’s really a rebadged MG Hector after a reader alerted us.
Built in China by the SAIC-GM-Wuling partnership for our market, the new Captiva has been in the news in India as the newly-launched MG Hector. It is also sold in some Asian markets as the Wuling Almaz and the Baojun 530. It is already a fixture in South America and South-East Asia for the past year.
The GCC version is powered by a 149 hp 1.5-litre turbo with 255 Nm of torque, mated to a CVT and front-wheel-drive. Differing wildly from the old Korean-built model, it is actually almost the same size as before, and still retains 3 rows of seating, although the third row is an option.
The base LS gets 5 seats in black cloth (optional 7 seats), cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels, 8-inch touchscreen, rear camera with sensors, four speakers, USB ports in all rows, LED daytime running lights, a/c ventilation controls in 2nd-row seats, ESP, front airbags, tyre-pressure monitor, and front/rear fog lights.
The LT adds smart key with push-button start, shark fin antenna, front-side airbags, sunroof, auto a/c, 6 speakers and chrome trim.
The Premier adds 17-inch premium alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, six-way electrically adjustable driver seat, 7-inch multi-function gauges screen, front parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, an electronic parking brake, and what appears to be upgraded rear multilink suspension.
We expect the new model to reach showrooms in the first few months of 2020, possibly starting at an estimated Dhs 75,000 as it falls in size between the Trax and the Equinox.
Comments
Khalid Khalid
I’d like the Captiva 2016 model . Thank you.
menchie ituriaga longcop
love to drive this car.
Neel
I was excited to see the Captiva making a debut after a hiatus of almost 2 years. It looks snazzier compared to its precursor. I also took a close look inside the car and I had mixed opinions. The rebadged Wuling Almaz on which it is based, scores high on equipment with the introduction of that touchscreen interface and some features which were missing on the Korean built version such as the rear AC vents for the second and third row seats. However, vis-a-vis other Chinese models that I experienced at the Motor Show, the Captiva actually has degraded in terms of quality of plastics inside the car. The competition has become more intense than ever offering taut cabin quality. In fact, the previous gen model had better fit and finish. For its size, I think the 147 hp engine wouldn’t provide sheer gusto to a person who loves driving and as the engine is turbocharged, there might be a lot of turbo lag as well.
The last row of seats is extremely purpose less best left for kids.
In my opinion, they should rejig the car for better horsepower and torque figures and improve the quality. Post this, I see it becoming a success as it is arguably better than the Toyota Rush.
Marwan
For me crossovers without 4×4 are totally meaningless