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2011 Chevrolet Captiva Gets A Midcycle Makeover

Chevrolet Europe has given its Captiva CUV a fairly substantial mid-cycle refresh, consisting of an updated exterior design, improved interior, and a new engine and transmission lineup. The updated Captiva will be one of four Chevrolet world premieres at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, joining the Cruze hatch, all-new Aveo, and Orlando MPV.

Updated Design

The refreshed Captiva gets an updated front end, with a revised hood, Chevrolet signature dual-port grille, and prism-shaped headlamps with LED turn signals in the wing mirrors. A pair of side air vents are now present on the Captiva, joining a growing list of cars that have jumped on the new design bandwagon.

From the A-pillar back, the Captiva’s profile remains unchanged, but the Theta-based CUV does get a new color palate and newly sculpted wheel arches that accommodate wheel sizes of 17-19 inches.

All-New Powertrain Lineup

The 2011 Captiva gets an all-new lineup of engines and transmissions. On the gasoline front, the bow-tie ‘ute gets the direct-injected 2.4 liter ECOTEC four cylinder (rated at 171 hp) as well as the 3.0 liter LF1 V6 (rated at 258 horses). Both engines are carried over from the Captiva’s U.S.-based cousin, the Chevy Equinox. But unlike the Equinox, the Captva also gets two variants of the 2.2 liter common rail diesel good for 163 hp in low output guise and 184 hp in the high-output version. All engines are mated to either a manual or automatic six-speed transmission, with the active all wheel drive system available as an option in all powerplants except for the V6.

The revised Captiva also gets a returned chassis that delivers improved cornering, roll characteristics, and ride feel. It comes standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TSC), and Braking Assist System (BAS).

Improved Interior

The 2011 Captiva also gets a revised interior with new finishes and textures, including all-new seat fabrics and interior decor appointments. It also gets Chevy’s newly-adopted ice-blue back lighting and wrap-around design, creating a dual cockpit feel found in other new Chevrolet vehicles (such as the Malibu and Equinox).

The traditional park brake makes way in favor of an electric unit, creating space for more storage in the center console. The audio system includes a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity while the a rear-view camera is optional. Chevy also tells us that they’ve taken measures to reduce road, wind and engine noise in the Captiva’s revised cabin.

The GM Authority Take

A good vehicle has just gotten better. The Captiva, which shares the Theta platform of the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, is a very competitive vehicle. In fact, it’s probably the best in the class, with the perfect combination of style, utility, comfort, and safety.

Moreover, we appreciate the Captiva’s ability to accommodate up to three rows of seating – something that the larger (and more spacious) Equinox and Terrain currently aren’t capable of. We hope that the Captiva and Equinox become global vehicles with their respective next-generations. In fact, as fine a vehicle as the current Equinox is, it desperately needs a third row in the States to effectively compete with entrants from Kia and stalwarts from Toyota.

We look forward to driving the revised Captiva in the near future. The updated version goes on sale all over Europe in spring 2011.

GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

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