Photo: RichardSummersault, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Thesupermat, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Love Krittaya, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
5- or 7-seat SUV rated 4 stars by Euro NCAP in 2007, then 5 stars following a new test in 2011. Owners mainly report diesel particulate filter problems and gearbox failures on the 2.2. Chevrolet withdrew its passenger cars from the European market at the end of 2015: the brand no longer exists in Europe, but GM has promised to supply parts for 10 years.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €6,900 – €10,000
- Monthly cost
- €355
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 2.2 VCDi 163.
2.4 essence 136
Petrol · Manual · 136 hp · Crit'Air 2
2.4 petrol with 136 hp, 5-speed manual gearbox (2006-2011 versions).
2.0 VCDi 150 BVA
Diesel · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 3
2.0 diesel with 150 hp, found on versions from before the 2011 facelift.
2.2 VCDi 163
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Manual · 163 hp · 6.4 L/100 km · 164 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 3
2.2 diesel with 163 hp, introduced with the 2011 facelift, 6-speed manual gearbox.
2.2 VCDi 184 BVA AWD
Diesel · Automatic · 184 hp · Crit'Air 3
2.2 diesel with 184 hp, four-wheel drive and automatic gearbox, 2011-2013 facelift.
Market prices
€6,900 – €10,000
Indicative range: 2007 to 2013, yearly medians of 53 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
2.2 VCDi gearbox
Severity 2/3 · CostlyOwners of 2.2 diesel Captivas (2011-2012 models) report gearbox failures, both manual and automatic, requiring costly replacement. Carsguide notes that transmission failures are not rare on the Holden Captiva, the same car sold in Australia.
- Versions
- 2.2 VCDi 163, 2.2 VCDi 184 BVA AWD
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Clogged diesel particulate filter (diesel)
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingThe diesel particulate filter on Captiva diesels is cited by owners (faulty regeneration) and by a reliability report on the 2.0 VCDi as a recurring problem in urban use. A forum user regained power after a long run on a fast road.
- Versions
- 2.0 VCDi 150 BVA, 2.2 VCDi 163, 2.2 VCDi 184 BVA AWD
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Chevrolet Captiva”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €173 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €66 |
| Maintenance | €36 |
| Depreciation | €80 |
| Total per month | €355 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (diesel)€173
2.2 VCDi 163 version: combined consumption of 6.4 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.347 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
6.4 × 1.15 × 2.347 € × 10 = €173
Diesel price: French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€66
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€36
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€80
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Chevrolet Captiva I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Diesel: ask for the DPF and servicing invoices, and have the fault codes read; check that the car has not spent its days on short journeys.
- Carry out an extended test drive to detect jerking or gearbox noises, in manual as well as automatic.
- Use the serial number to check that recalls have been carried out (brakes, engine start with the key removed, particulate filter depending on the year).
- Check the condition of the turbo (loss of power, smoke) and the hoses before buying.
- Choose a garage able to repair the brand: Chevrolet is no longer present in Europe.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the particulate filter been cleaned or replaced, and when?
- Has the gearbox already been repaired or replaced?
- Have the recalls been dealt with at a dealership (Chevrolet, then Opel), and do you have the paperwork?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hyundai Santa Fe
IV · 2018–2023
- Price
- €24,900 – €32,700
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Diesel, Hybrid
_%E2%80%93_f_22112020.jpg/1280px-Kia_Sorento_2.2_CRDi_AWD_Platinum_(IV)_%E2%80%93_f_22112020.jpg)
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Kia Sorento
IV · since 2020
- Price
- €32,985 – €50,440
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Nissan X-Trail
III (T32) · 2014–2022
- Price
- €10,000 – €29,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Land Rover Freelander
II · 2006–2014
- Price
- €7,000 – €12,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Diesel
Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mitsubishi Outlander
III · 2012–2021
- Price
- €9,300 – €18,000
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Chevrolet Captiva I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Euro NCAP rating of the Chevrolet Captiva?
4 stars in the 2007 test, then 5 stars following a new test in October 2011 (88% adult, 82% child, 48% pedestrian, 71% safety assist). Take 5 stars as the rating for facelifted examples.
Is Chevrolet still present in Europe?
No. GM announced in 2013 that Chevrolet would withdraw from the mainstream European market at the end of 2015, with a promise of parts for 10 years and servicing through the General Motors network.
What is the Captiva's boot capacity?
465 L on a pre-facelift 2.0 VCDi according to L'argus, and 477 L (up to 942 L) on the 2011-2013 2.2 VCDi according to Fastcarcheck.
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