Holden Captiva 5 2011-2015 used car review
The Holden Captiva 5 offers a lot of car for the money.
The Holden Captiva 5 offers a lot of car for the money. We recommend you get a professional inspection before you buy - issues are common.
The Holden Captiva 5 was initially launched as the “Maxx”, the top-specification of the Captiva range developed in Europe. It wasn't popular, so was repackaged and renamed the “5” for its number of seats and made the entry-level model. The “Series II” version was launched in 2011 with cosmetic and specification changes. By the time production ended in 2015, the car had been on sale in various forms for nearly ten years.
Inside and out
The 5 looks more aggressive than other Captivas, with its chunky front bumper, exaggerated wheel arches and lower plastic body cladding. The front grille features a chrome bar with the Holden badge set into it. The headlights cut into the bumper. Roof rails and alloy wheels are fitted as standard.
The interior feels quite cheap with mixed quality plastics. The steering wheel feels oddly flat and large and features controls for the stereo system and trip computer. The chrome-ringed instruments are easy to read. The climate control air-conditioning controls sit on the centre console, which has a silver finish. There are also stereo controls which are quite fiddly and complicated. At the top is a trip computer screen. An electric, rather than manual handbrake is fitted.
The front seats are comfortable, with soft, deep cushions although taller drivers might find the base a little short. The second row has belts and headrests for three people. The centre section is flat - that means all three can sit in relative comfort, although shoulder room could be a little tight. Leg and headroom are reasonable.
Boot space is good with room for six medium-size cases. There are handy cubby holes on the side of the load area and additional storage under the floor. There are also handy rails for attaching tie-downs along the side. A black plastic rear bumper reduces the chance of scratches when you load the boot.
On the road
The Captiva 5 is available with a choice of two engines: a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol and a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel. Petrol models can be found in front-wheel drive with a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic, or, like the diesel, with all-wheel drive and the automatic.
The diesel is the better engine for performance and fuel economy. It puts out a punchy 135kW and 400Nm which makes the car feel brisk, if not quick. It does like to make a bit of noise when pushed and makes a noticeable noise at idle.
The Captiva is reasonable to drive, but it’s not as competent and “car-like” as most of its competitors. The suspension is soft enough to soak up most bumps, though that means the car rolls in corners. The steering is quite light and a little vague. With a relatively low 200mm of ground clearance, the Captiva’s off-road limit is a gravel track or grassy field.
Visibility is good forward from the driver’s seat because you look down on the bonnet, however, it is poor to the rear. Front and rear parking sensors are standard, and we recommend fitting a camera if you are regularly around children. You can buy a camera to fit yourself from $50 or a professional will do it from $200.
The all-wheel drive Captiva 5 can pull a reasonable load - up to 750kg unbraked (a medium-large garden trailer) and 1,700kg braked (a small-medium trailer boat). Two-wheel drive models have a 200kg lower braked rating.
Safety
The Holden Captiva 5 carries a full five-star ANCAP rating. Standard safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, electronic stability control, emergency brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and a roll stability system.
The rear seat features ISOFIX child seat mounts in the window positions. All three rear belts are the full shoulder-type which offer more protection than the lap-only style.
Reliability
Although the “Series II” version of the Captiva has improved compared to the earlier cars, a worrying number of issues are still being reported. Online forums are full of buyers who have had significant problems with relatively new cars.
The diesel engine is known to develop oil leaks, particularly in the pipes that feed the turbo system. A leak in these can lower the engine oil levels with catastrophic effects and a repair bill upwards of $5,000. Make sure you have any Captiva diesel professionally inspected before purchase.
When you are buying, ensure the transmission is shifting smoothly and quietly. If you have any concerns about how it operates. avoid the vehicle.
The electrics and accessories are also known to be troublesome, with failures of the air-conditioning system, air-bag control modules, central locking units and more.
The Captiva can be difficult to perform a wheel alignment on because the front suspension systems lack adjustment and clearance. Look for excessive and one-sided wear on the front tyres for an indication the alignment is out.
Cost of ownership
Holden recommends servicing the diesel Captiva every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Service costs vary between $400 and $450.
RightCar estimates that over 14,000km of driving a year, a Captiva 5 diesel will cost $2,530 a year in fuel and Road User Charges. The 65-litre fuel tank will cost $94.25 to fill at $1.45 a litre and should take you 730km before the fuel light comes on.
A vehicle licence for the Captiva 5 diesel costs $155.69 a year, with the car in the cheapest ACC levy group for a diesel.
Trade Me Insurance estimates insurance for a Captiva 5 valued at $19,380 will cost $54.79* per month. This is $5 less than a Nissan X-Trail diesel of the same year.
Buyers’ guide
The Holden Captiva 5 is available on Trade Me priced from $8,000 for 2011 models with high mileage to as high as $29,000 for very low mileage diesel models with factory warranty left on them.
Variants
- LT - Features 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, automatic headlights, cruise control, CD player stereo, Bluetooth phone system, climate-control air-conditioning with separate zones for the driver and passenger, remote central locking, hill descent control, and front and rear parking sensors.
- LTZ - Adds leather seats, heated front seats, leather steering wheel, electric front seat, metallic roof rails and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Timeline
- 2011 Captiva Maxx updated and relaunched as the Captiva 5
- 2014 Given slight cosmetic update including new alloy wheels
- 2015 Dropped from Captiva range
Details
2014 Holden Captiva 5 LT
$14,000 to $23,000 for models which have travelled 70,000 to 120,000km
2.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged, 135kW/400Nm (claimed)
Six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Five-star ANCAP
15,000km or 12 months
Full-size steel wheel
8.2-litres per 100km (claimed)
Diesel
4596mm
1850mm
1717mm
750kg (unbraked), 1700kg (braked)
11.9m
This review covers the Holden Captiva 5 for model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015
Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.
*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.
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Kyle Cassidy 