7 on the up

A spacious seven seater SUV won't cost you an arm and a leg like a Q7 or an X5 will. Here, we pit an updated Korean model against a stalwart competitor.

OneShift Editorial Team
OneShift Editorial Team
07 Mar 2010
The Captiva just looks better, drives and rides better.
What we like:
pros
Chevrolet: attractive styling
pros
well equipped
pros
sorted rideHyundai: less thirsty and cheaper to tax than before
pros
six-speed automatic gearbox
pros
price
What we dislike:
cons
Chevrolet: engine not as powerful as the Hyundai's
cons
slightly cluttered dashboard
cons
a little claustrophobic in the third rowHyundai: staid styling inside and out despite facelift
cons
busy ride
cons
lacks standard kit

All-wheel drive is a standard feature on the Captiva while the crossover Santa Fe has ditched drive to the rear wheels since the facelift which means you can go further off the beaten track in the Chevrolet.

Both SUVs are suitably well equipped with leather seats, ABS, twin front airbags, alloy wheels, electrically adjustable driver's seats and so on but the Chevrolet trumps the Hyundai even further by having cruise control, a factory fitted stereo and a tailgate window that can be opened separately.

With more equipment as standard, the Captiva is suitably a few grand pricier than the Santa Fe. It's not the extra standard kit that sways me towards the Chevy though - it just looks better, drives and rides better even though it is short on poke in comparison to the Hyundai.

Credits: Story and Photos by Raymond Lai

New Cars
Other Articles
Explore moreright arrow
AVATR 11 (Standard Range) Review: Arriving With Serious Intent
Porsche Expands All-Electric SUV Model Lineup With Cayenne S
PUMA And McLaren Racing Turn Up The Style At Ignition Beach
get quote bg
Sell your car at the highest price in Singapore
  • pros
    Convenient and Hassle-Free
  • pros
    Consumer Protection
  • pros

    Transparent Process
    With No Obligation