GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva - 2016 minor change

2016 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva

2016 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva interior

The Captiva crossover has been in South Korean roads for five years and the folks from GM Korea managed to give it a much needed facelift to keep this once world-proven crossover afloat in times of challenges the South Korean division of General Motors faced following Chevrolet's withdrawal from the European market.

First and not the most amusing one, the exterior has been revised with a new front view reflecting the new global look for Chevrolet and I know some of you never liked the new Chevrolet look in the front because some might complain that this new look might just spoil its once great look but while if you're not making an issue about the front, check out the rear side because the taillights have been given an updated look and aside from that, the 2016MY Captiva features refreshed wheel designs to keep its dynamic look alive and well despite the odds.

2016 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva interior

2016 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva

The interior is heavily revised with some new tech including the upgraded MyLink with phone projection technology featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, Bluetooth connectivity, and Siri Eyes Free which lets your voice do the operation. Its seven-seater capacity remains the same as well as seven ways to fold the seats to accomodate more luggage spaces especially the ones you bought at a nearby thrift store.

The only engine available for the facelifted Captiva is a Euro 6-compliant 2.0L ECOTEC diesel engine producing 170PS of power and 40.8kg-m of torque, mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox sourced from Japan-based transmission manufacturer Aisin. This gearbox delivers improved acceleration, response, quietness, and better fuel economy. When switched to Sport Mode, it delivers direct throttle response to get things afloat. It even comes with a different kind of power steering called R-EPS, which provides a much direct handling for the new Captiva.

The new Chevrolet Captiva even comes with loads of safety features such as a rear-view camera, Blind Spot Alert, Rear cross traffic alert, electronic stability control, active rollover protection, Hill Start Assist, six airbags, and many more to keep this crossover safer than none.

The 2016MY Captiva starts at 28,090,000 Korean Won.

Photo: GM Korea Company

GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva

After the name change from GM Daewoo Auto and Technology to GM Korea Company since March 2011 and successfully transformed all Daewoo cars into Chevrolet cars except the Damas, Labo, and the flagship sedan Alpheon, the company seems to be gaining a lot of customers from South Korea to worldwide. With the introduction of the Orlando ALV, Aveo 5-door, Camaro, and the Corvette C6 to the Korean market, the fifth out of the eight planned models is now out and the new Chevrolet Captiva (쉐보레 캡티바) is the new name of the Daewoo Winstorm SUV, which was launched since Autumn 2006.

2012 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva

The whole world will see this as a minor change but here in South Korea, it's their debutante. A new name for the once forgotten Daewoo Winstorm, which didn't share success against the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento. For the debutante in South Korea, the GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva gained an aggressive front view based on the Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic while the Winstorm rear was retained. With its strikingly bold design, I'm sure that there is hope for this crossover built from Bupyeong-gu, Incheon.

2012 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva interior

The interior has mildly revised to be more premium while retaining its 7-seater capability. With equipments such as Bluetooth connectivity, leather-wrapped steering wheel, six airbags, USB Integration, Bluetooth connectivity, and Touch-screen system, the Chevrolet Captiva is one handy crossover suitable for your hectic lifestyles. This SUV can be perfect on your weekend getaway when you need it. Also, the seats can be folded for enhanced luggage-carrying conveniences and other things to do.

Two engine types are available for the Chevrolet Captiva such as the 2.4L Ecotec petrol engine and the 2.2L VCDi (Variable Turbocharger Common Rail Diesel Injection) engine. The 2.2L CRDi engine with VG Turbo intercooler makes 184 PS of power output and 40.8 kg.m of torque. In fuel economy, the Chevrolet Captiva 2.2L 6MT 2WD variant gets 15.9km/L of fuel economy while the Captiva 2.2L 6AT 2WD offers the fuel economy of 13.9km/L.

The available 4WD system on the GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva splits the torque between the front and rear wheels, depending on what road conditions this crossover may face. At first, it runs on 2WD mode for optimized fuel efficiency but when it seeks a 4WD-only terrain, about 50% of torque applies to the rear wheels. The Electronic Stability Control and ABS brakes are the major functions for the Captiva's 4WD system.

My thoughts about the Chevrolet Captiva:

The world market will see the new Captiva as a "kouki" or minor change but in the South Korean market, the Chevrolet Captiva name is a debut name and replaces the weakened Daewoo Winstorm as part of turning the weak Daewoo into the internationally-known Chevrolet. There is hope that The Covenant Car Company Incorporated will bring the Captiva minor change soon but even with the CRDi-VGT engine armed on the new Captiva, it still wont compete against our Mitsubishi Montero Sport GTV but the design is truly a global winner. Need I say more? Enjoy the debut, Chevrolet Captiva, and the 18 roses are waiting for you...

Photo: GM Korea Company