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Photo of a Chevrolet Captiva

Chevrolet Captiva

The original Captiva: seven seats, three badges, one GM Theta platform.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 25 sources

At a glance

0150300
134–258 hpPower
0200400
200–400 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,599–1,800 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.11112131415

Engine
Gen 1: 2.4 L I4, 3.0/3.2 L V6, 2.0/2.2 L diesel; Gen 2: 1.5 L turbo; EV1910
Layout
Gen 1: front-engine, FWD/AWD; Gen 2: FWD110
Gearbox
Gen 1: 5/6-speed manual or automatic; Gen 2: CVT110
Built at
Gen 1: GM Korea, Incheon, South Korea; Gen 2: SAIC-GM-Wuling, China1

The story

GM Korea developed the original Captiva for global markets on the Theta platform, drawing on the 2004 S3X concept. The 2006 launch offered five or seven seats under Chevrolet Captiva, Holden Captiva and Daewoo Winstorm badges.12

2004: S3X debuts at Paris20042006: Captiva wears three badges20062009: The automatic adds AWD and 90 kg20092011: Six speeds and a five-star retest20112013: LED tail lamps and angular tailpipes20132016: 15 Perfect Black editions for Japan20162018: Equinox handover, Baojun 530 reboot20182024: Mexico adds six airbags20242025: Captiva turns electric and plug-in hybrid2025 Isuzu Trooper (first generation): 1981–1991Isuzu Trooper (second generation) (UBS): 1991–2002UBSHolden Frontera (second generation) (UE / MX): 1999–2003UE / MXChevrolet Forester (SG): 2003–2007SGChevrolet Captiva (first generation) (C100 / C140): 2006–2018C100 / C140 19801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1202122
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1981–1991Isuzu Trooper (first generation)
1991–2002Isuzu Trooper (second generation) (UBS)
1999–2003Holden Frontera (second generation) (UE / MX)
2003–2007Chevrolet Forester (SG)
2006–2018Chevrolet Captiva (first generation) (C100 / C140)
2004S3X debuts at Paris
2006Captiva wears three badges
2009The automatic adds AWD and 90 kg
2011Six speeds and a five-star retest
2013LED tail lamps and angular tailpipes
201615 Perfect Black editions for Japan
2018Equinox handover, Baojun 530 reboot
2024Mexico adds six airbags
2025Captiva turns electric and plug-in hybrid
  1. 2004

    S3X debuts at Paris

    The S3X previewed the Captiva at the Paris Motor Show, developed at GM Daewoo's Incheon design center on the GM Theta platform.1

  2. 2006

    Captiva wears three badges

    The GM Korea-developed SUV launched as Chevrolet Captiva, Holden Captiva and Daewoo Winstorm, with five- or seven-seat cabins.1

  3. 2009

    The automatic adds AWD and 90 kg

    The 148 hp 2.0 diesel gained a five-speed automatic and AWD with hill-descent control and ESP, adding 90 kg; 0–100 km/h took 12 seconds.3

  4. 2011

    Six speeds and a five-star retest

    New 2.2 diesels used six-speed gearboxes. A European RHD diesel scored five Euro NCAP stars; ANCAP covered 2016–2018 Holden FWD variants only.145

  5. 2013

    LED tail lamps and angular tailpipes

    The second facelift added LED tail lamps, angular chrome tailpipes and 18-inch alloys; higher-spec European cars gained heated rear seats.6

  6. 2016

    15 Perfect Black editions for Japan

    Japan's Perfect Black edition was limited to 15, with Carbon Flash Metallic paint, black 19-inch wheels and heated leather seats in the first two rows.7

  7. 2018

    Equinox handover, Baojun 530 reboot

    The original ended as Equinox took over. A new Captiva, built in China by SAIC-GM-Wuling from the Baojun 530, appeared in Colombia in November.1

  8. 2024

    Mexico adds six airbags

    The 2024 Mexican range replaced four airbags with six, added a 7-inch digital cluster and kept its 144 hp 1.5 turbo/CVT powertrain.8

  9. 2025

    Captiva turns electric and plug-in hybrid

    Chevrolet announced EV and PHEV Captivas based on the Wuling Starlight S. The Philippine EV combines 201 hp with a 60 kWh LFP battery.19

Every generation

  • Isuzu Trooper (first generation)
    Isuzu Trooper (first generation)1981–1991
  • Isuzu Trooper (second generation)
    UBS1991–2002
  • Holden Frontera (second generation)
    UE / MX1999–2003
  • Chevrolet Captiva (first generation)
    C100 / C1402006–2018
  • Chevrolet Equinox
    Chevrolet Equinox
  • Chevrolet Captiva EV/PHEV
    F710S

Power over the years

From 134 hp to 255 hp in 5 years.

0100200300 2005201020152020 hp 2006 · 134 hp · 2.4 petrol (136 PS tune)2006 · 148 hp · 2.0 VCDi diesel2006 · 227 hp · 3.2 Alloytec V62011 · 161 hp · 2.2 VCDi diesel2011 · 165 hp · 2.4 Ecotec I4 (AU)2011 · 170 hp · 2.4 Ecotec I4 (Asia)2011 · 181 hp · 2.2 VCDi diesel, high output2011 · 255 hp · 3.0 SIDI V62016 · 169 hp · 2.0 VCDi Multijet II2022 · 144 hp · Premier 1.5 turbo (2022) 255 hp 3.0 SIDI V6 134 hp 2.4 petrol (136 PS tune)
11011
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
20061342.4 petrol (136 PS tune)
20061482.0 VCDi diesel
20062273.2 Alloytec V6
20111612.2 VCDi diesel
20111652.4 Ecotec I4 (AU)
20111702.4 Ecotec I4 (Asia)
20111812.2 VCDi diesel, high output
20112553.0 SIDI V6
20161692.0 VCDi Multijet II
2022144Premier 1.5 turbo (2022)

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • LS / LT (first generation)

    Standard

    LS / LT (first generation)

  • LTZ 2.2 VCDi

    Standard

    LTZ 2.2 VCDi

    182 hp
  • Holden Captiva 7 SX / CX / LX

    Standard

    Holden Captiva 7 SX / CX / LX

  • Standard

    LT 5-passenger (Mexico)

    2024

    144 hp

  • Standard

    LT 7-passenger (Mexico)

    2024

    144 hp

  • Standard

    Premier (Mexico)

    2024

    144 hp

  • Standard

    Captiva EV

    201 hp

  • Special

    Captiva Edge

  • Limited

    Captiva Prime

    2011

    148 hp

    60 built

  • Limited

    Captiva Prime

    2010

  • Limited

    Captiva Perfect Black

    2016

How to spot one

Look for

  • Original Captiva: large jeweled headlights and silver-look front and rear skid plates.19
  • Original Captiva: coupe-like window line and chunky black protective moldings.19
  • Facelifted original: a big two-part grille split by a thick bar carrying the bowtie.12
  • Second generation: thin LED running lights are separate from the main headlights.110
  • Second generation: square wheel arches and a floating-roof effect at the rear.114

Year by year

  1. 2011

    New headlights and larger wheel arches join a huge split grille, reshaped side vents and mirror turn signals.112

  2. 2011 (Holden Series II)

    Holden Series II uses a specific grille and air intake, new alloy wheels and Altezza-style taillights.1

  3. 2013

    Mesh grille, reshaped fog lights and bumpers, LED taillights, 18-inch alloys and angular chrome exhaust tips distinguish this update.6

  4. 2016

    New LED headlights, grille and bumper revise the nose; the dashboard is redesigned.1

  5. 2024 (Mexico)

    The refresh tweaks grille, bumpers and taillights, adds new 18-inch wheels and a 7-inch digital cluster.8

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Chevrolet Captiva
    Captiva
    Photo of a Opel Antara / Captiva Sport / MaXX / Captiva 5
    Opel Antara / Captiva Sport / MaXX / Captiva 5

    Opel Antara / Captiva Sport / MaXX / Captiva 5

    Antara-based cars have the shorter, sportier body; Chevrolet-based Captivas use the longer shape and can have seven seats.12

Against its rivals

  • Captiva vs Opel Antara

    Starting price lower is better

    Captiva22,490 EUR
    Opel Antara26,850 EUR
    11
  • BMW X1 (diesel)

    Captiva vs BMW X1 (diesel)

    Power

    Captiva150 hp
    BMW X1 (diesel)177 hp
    23

  • Captiva vs Ford Endeavour (diesel)

    Power

    Captiva150 hp
    Ford Endeavour (diesel)156 hp
    23

Prices

Price when new
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 20052010201520202025 2006 · $27,000 · Australia base; ~US$0.75/A$2008 · $29,750 · Australia SX diesel; ~US$0.85/A$2011 · $39,773 · Indonesia Prime; ~Rp8,800/US$2014 · $26,991 · Australia 7-seat base; ~US$0.90/A$2020 · $25,261 · Colombia Premier; ~COP3,800/US$2022 · $21,245 · Mexico base; ~MX$20/US$2022 · $23,195 · Mexico Premier; ~MX$20/US$2024 · $28,612 · Mexico LT 5-seat; ~MX$17/US$2024 · $29,935 · Mexico LT 7-seat; ~MX$17/US$2024 · $32,318 · Mexico Premier; ~MX$17/US$ 2006 · $36k · Australia Holden base, 2006; approx. US$0.75/A$
2810141825
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2006Launch price$27,000Australia Holden base, 2006; approx. US$0.75/A$
2006Price when new$27,000Australia base; ~US$0.75/A$
2008Price when new$29,750Australia SX diesel; ~US$0.85/A$
2011Price when new$39,773Indonesia Prime; ~Rp8,800/US$
2014Price when new$26,991Australia 7-seat base; ~US$0.90/A$
2020Price when new$25,261Colombia Premier; ~COP3,800/US$
2022Price when new$21,245Mexico base; ~MX$20/US$
2022Price when new$23,195Mexico Premier; ~MX$20/US$
2024Price when new$28,612Mexico LT 5-seat; ~MX$17/US$
2024Price when new$29,935Mexico LT 7-seat; ~MX$17/US$
2024Price when new$32,318Mexico Premier; ~MX$17/US$

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “A comedy credit with Jan Machulski”
    • “Max Wolff's Incheon-led design team”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 25 sources
  1. Chevrolet Captiva - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. The car that killed Holden in Australia | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
  3. Chevrolet Captiva A/T | Autocar India autocarindia.com
  4. Chevrolet Captiva SUV (2006-2015) review | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  5. Holden Captiva | Safety Rating & Report | ANCAP ancap.com.au
  6. Chevrolet Captiva facelift coming to Geneva paultan.org
  7. Chevy Rolls Out Special Captiva Perfect Black Edition For $60k In Japan | Carscoops carscoops.com
  8. Chevrolet Captiva 2024, precio en México del SUV compacto con tres filas motorpasion.com.mx
  9. Captiva EV | Chevrolet Philippines chevrolet.com.ph
  10. Chevrolet Captiva 2022, a prueba: 7 pasajeros, motor turbo y menos de medio millón motorpasion.com.mx
  11. Preise Chevrolet Captiva - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  12. New Chevrolet Captiva review, test drive and video | Autocar India autocarindia.com
  13. Chevrolet Captiva cars for sale in South Africa - AutoTrader autotrader.co.za
  14. Chevrolet Captiva Turbo Premier, a prueba: Con espacio para todos (+Video) elcarrocolombiano.com
  15. Chevrolet Captiva : Pour les loisirs familiaux - L'argus largus.fr
  16. Chevrolet Captiva (2011-2014) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  17. Chevrolet Captiva (2006-2015) — New Car Net newcarnet.co.uk
  18. Captiva Edisi Khusus, Hanya Ada 60 Unit oto.detik.com
  19. CAPTIVA – THE NEW GLOBAL FACE OF CHEVROLET carsite.co.za
  20. Isuzu Trooper - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Isuzu MU - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. Subaru Forester - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  23. BMW X1 VS Chevrolet Captiva VS Ford Endeavour - CarWale carwale.com
  24. Cztery koła z klapsem! - Dziennik.pl auto.dziennik.pl
  25. Used Holden Captiva review - ReDriven redriven.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • carexpert.com.au
  • autocarindia.com
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • ancap.com.au
  • paultan.org
  • carscoops.com
  • motorpasion.com.mx
  • chevrolet.com.ph
  • autobild.de
  • autotrader.co.za
  • elcarrocolombiano.com
  • largus.fr
  • autoexpress.co.uk

Photo credits

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