These videos are pretty good! I have worked hard to ‘up my game’ in terms of video production quality. Is this just a fancy way of saying: numerous camera mounts and a fresh GoPro Hero3+.
But also a renewed focus on delivering high-quality, often humorous, and insightful expert automotive road tests.
The results are now imminently high-quality, meaning a shower and perhaps a shave are definitely mandatory items before going in front of the 1080P lens. But while I highly recommend the GoPro Hero3+, what do I think of the 2014 Captiva Sport LT, which brings new-for-2014 touchscreen MyLink controls with its fleet-only price of $25,145?
This video review is divided into three video segments, roughly grouped into thematic areas including:
Part One — Intro, First impressions and 2014model-year updates
Part Two — “What Sucks About the Captiva Sport?”
Part Three:
— Compact Crossover Situation Analysis
— Why Captiva Sport is Relevant for Smart Companies
— Opportunity Identification for Smart Consumers — Even non-Fleeters — via the second-hand market
2014 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT — Car-Revs-Daily Road Test SUMMARY POINTS:
HITS:
— Easy to buy, well-equipped with almost zero special options to fret about
— Very affordable versus Equinox or GMC Terrain crossovers with this level of equipment, handling and high-speed confidence
— Unexpectedly-large second row of seating and easy 55-cubic-feet of cargo room, easily matching cars like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3
— Premium handling via Euro-developed chassis: this includes brakes, steering at speed, and overall balance
— Looks pretty decent on the road, recalling the Lexus RX300 a bit in the front headlight shape
MISSES:
— Dreadful driver seat comfort; no lateral support nor telescoping steering column
— AWD and V6 options no longer available
— Little incentive to spring for LTZ except standard 18-inch rims — BUT! LT with Convenience pack’s leather-wrapped wheel will be appreciated
— MyLink touchscreen still optional across-the-board, lacks resolution or device inputs, backup camera optional but should be standard
— EPA Fuel economy of 20/28 is very bad for a front-drive four-cylinder with six-speed automatic
2014 Chevrolet Captiva Sport
SELECT STANDARD FEATURES
Features based on 1LS model unless otherwise noted.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
- Dual-stage frontal and side-impact air bags* for driver and front passenger and head curtain side-impact air bags* for front and rear outboard seating positions*
- Pedal Release System
- StabiliTrak stability control system with traction control
- PASS-Key III + theft-deterrent system
- Daytime running lamps with automatic lamp control
- OnStar 6-month Directions & Connections Plan5 with Turn-by-Turn Navigation (fleet delete available)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System**
INTERIOR
- Deluxe front bucket seats with fold-down passenger seat
- Rear seat with fold-down 60/40 split seatback
- Air conditioning
- Cruise control
- Driver Information Center
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Tilt/telescoping steering column
- 3 auxiliary power outlets
- AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3, auxiliary input jack, SiriusXM Radio6 with 3-month trial, steering-wheel controls, USB port7
- Bluetooth®8 wireless technology for select phones
- Rear cargo convenience net
MECHANICAL
- Front-wheel drive
- 2.4L SIDI I-4 VVT engine with 182 hp
- 6-speed automatic transmission with ECO mode
- 4-wheel disc anti-lock brake system
- 4-wheel independent suspension
- Power rack-and-pinion steering
EXTERIOR
- Intermittent front and rear wipers
- Folding, power rearview mirrors
- P235/60R17 all-season tires and alloy wheels
- Luggage rack side rails
- Rear liftgate
SELECT OPTIONAL FEATURES
Options are available on certain models only. See your Ordering Guide for details.
- Seat options: 8-way power driver seat, leather-appointed seating, heated front seats
- Remote Vehicle Starter System
- Universal Home Remote
- Rear-Vision Camera System
- Power sunroof
- Automatic climate control
- Cargo cover
- Rear flex net cargo organizer
- Premium 10-speaker system
- Trailering package
- Front fog lamps
- 17″ and 18″ aluminum wheels
- Rainsense windshield wipers
- Chevrolet MyLink9 radio, diagonal color touch-screen display AM/FM/HD Radio/SiriusXM Radio6 with 3-month trial, CD player, includes Bluetooth®8 streaming audio for music and select phones, hands-free smartphone integration
- Chevrolet MyLink9 radio with Navigation,10 diagonal color touch-screen display AM/FM/HD Radio/SiriusXM® Radio6 with 3-month trial, CD player and GPS navigation system10, includes Bluetooth®8 streaming audio for music and select phones, hands-free smartphone integration
CHEVROLET CAPTIVA SPORT — PRICING for 2014
(All Include two years of free servicing, which is nice to discover.)
-
LS: $24,360
-
LT: $25,145 ( as tested with Convenience Pack (leather, MyLink, auto-dimming mirror) ~$27,100
-
LTZ: $29,495
More info and procurement details are available here.
http://www.gmfleet.com/chevrolet/captiva-sport-compact-crossover.html
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.