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The Transformers have returned and one thing has not changed - the good Autobots still choose Chevrolet as their cool four-wheel disguises.
In the latest release, 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' the loyal Bumblebee is still a yellow Chevy Camaro; Jolt, a blue Chevrolet Volt armed with a pair of electric whips; and new characters Skids and Mudflap, also known as the Twins, are mini Chevrolets.
With Chevrolet's close association with the Transformers, you can easily live out your dream of having an Autobot close by, just take a closer look at Chevrolet’s Captiva and better yet, make it the diesel version.
Yes, the local representative of Chevrolet is offering a green SUV – one of the few available on the market.
On the surface, this is a very attractive-looking vehicle, with just the right curves that blend into the sharp lines of the body for a graceful, yet don’t-mess-with-me look.
Like most other SUVs, the Captiva has you sitting high for a commanding view of the road and other road-users which is helped by the generous sweep of the windscreen.
The height though also poses a slight design problem which makes it a challenge to lean out of the window, which we can do quite often when getting in and out of car-parks.
Inside, the cabin is extremely roomy with three rows of seats so you can carry seven passengers, as I did, without any problem. There were no complaints from the kids of being squashed while the adults had enough leg-room as well as space.
The only draw-back was the centering of the vehicle which could leave some back-seat passengers slightly green even if they don’t normally suffer car-sickness.
The inside of the Captiva is also crammed with storage areas that are truly generous and driving aids such as a digital compass.
While there are some who choose CNG as a more cost and climate-friendly option, going diesel is in fact less problematic overall.
There is no need to give up precious boot-space by going diesel. In fact with the Captiva, you can carry seven passengers and still have room at the back to drop in shopping from the rear-window which conveniently opens up instead of having to pop open the entire boot.
When it’s time to fill up, any of your favourite fuel stations would do for topping up the 65 litre tank which runs between 10-11km to a litre.
Unlike the diesel engines of old which some still remember for being dirty and smelly, technology has progressed to produce diesel engines with oomph, and emissions that are clean.
Banish too, all thoughts of a sputtering 4-wheeler.
Getting behind the wheel of the Captiva, you feel the 148 horsepower turbo diesel engine through and through.
The drive is nippy, direct and stable, plus there is good torque.
Shifting between the automatic gears is also smooth, with good pick-up.
The only diesel heritage that the Captiva cannot escape from, which some may see as a drawback, is the noisy engine.
If you’ve always driven the quieter petrol engines, you will have to get used to the louder growl from the diesel engine.
Then again, noise is something which the Captiva doesn’t ‘suffer’ from alone as it's a given for diesel engines, having experienced it in other diesel SUVs and cars. And quite truthfully, the new diesel engines aren’t as loud as diesel engines of the past and the hum can be quite comforting, even sleep-inducing!
In the Captiva, you will find little extras like the auto-sensing wipers that spring into action in one second (yes, I counted after being caught in three heavy downpours) and auto-lights that come on when the car senses darkness, which make it an easy to appreciate family vehicle.
The men will find that it offers just the right macho appeal while women drivers won’t be too intimidated driving it as the Captiva handles just like car with a small turning circle.
Parking will call for some getting used to, as in all vehicles, although I found no problem in making a parallel park with this seemingly large vehicle.
What would make the Captiva perfect for me is the sun-roof, which is now no longer a standard feature.
If you’re looking for a Transformer to call your own – this is it.
Although it does have some short-comings, the Captiva has the looks and feel, while coming in rather competitively in the price department if you compare it to other SUVs on the market.
To top it all off, with the diesel version you get to save the world – just like an Autobot.
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