Taking the Captiva offroad

[MrWasabi]

Hey guys,
Brand new to the forum, looks like a very informative place to get to know everything about Holdens. :)

Anyways, i am awaiting delivery of a brand spanker Captiva 60th anniversary edition TD.

Now i am buying it because ive got a little one and the corolla just isnt big enough for the family and any trips. In saying that i have a history of 4WDing, i used to own a Pathfiner, Patrol and Land Rover and have been on many many 4WD adventures that would make a man pucker up his behind. Came close to going to full on comp, but the family came first so i got rid of it all.

Anyway, I understand that the Captiva has an AWD system, permanent front wheel drive, till they lose traction then it engages the rear. Having experience in 4wding, i know that when the front usually loses traction, its sometimes too late for the rear to kick in and do you any good.

So this has me questioning the Captiva's ability off the road.
Of course i would not be taking it anywhere where it would require massive amount of articulation, as the 200mm clearance is kinda low for my liking. I was thinking more fire trails and your occasional muddy terrain and some steep hills etc.

Here are my questions,
1. Are there any Captiva owners here who have taken this thing off road?
2. Would you think that it would handle somewhere lose like stockton beach in Newcastle?
3. Would you suggest it would be a good idea to purchase a set of 4WD tyres and rims and swap them out if i do plan on going off the beaten track?

a bit of a long first post, but i have looked all over the place and cant find any place that would answer all these questions.

Thanks

[OPPYLOCK]

I have never driven a Captiva but I have seen many a soft roader roaders rescued off Stockton.They do ok down on the beach but as soon as the get into the soft stuff they struggle. I guess it comes down to how effectively the AWD system distributes tourque. Most of it is tyre pressure and momentum but I wouldn't venture out by myself.
I spoke to a guy in an X Trail and he was telling me that even when he locked it into AWD mode it would drop back to 2WD over a certain speed, which would cause it to bog down, engaged AWD again, pick up speed and back to 2WD, bog down....... after a while the transmission overheated, went into limp home mode and he was stuck.
I looked into softroaders as I don't do really hardcore stuff but I opted for something with lowrange as you know its gonna work when you need it.

[C4B]

You see a fair number of softroaders on Fraser, but from what I've seen the trick is to keep your ambitions in line with your vehicle (ie. realise it isn't a true 4WD and won't cope with the same terrain as other 4WD's).

The big problems seem to occur when the ego takes over and you end up with situations like I saw at Indian Head where a Toyota Kluger buried himself so deep it would have been easier to dig him out through China. The wost part was, the position he was in meant it was pretty much impossible to snatch him out because to get close enough to him you'd get bogged yourself.

[Benboy]

The Captiva is not really an 'off road' vehicle. It doesn't have low range selection, gearing is too high, insufficient ground clearance, it is predominantly front wheel drive (as you've already discovered) and was designed mainly for use by 'yuppies' taking their kids to and from school and an occasional trip to the shops and over a few kerbs. Perhaps a once a year trip to the snow so that the owners didn't feel out of place when surrounded by real 4x4's. Sorry mate, not what you wanted to hear but if you wanted an-off road you should have looked elsewhere.

[MrWasabi]

Thanks for the feedback guys.
No i did not want a real 4WD, ive done all that and been there before. If i wanted a real 4WD i would have purchased a Patrol again.
I know the Captiva is not a 4WD, and i am not expecting to win any rock crawling competitions with it.

What i needed was a family car to take the family in and go on the odd fire trail if i ever felt the need to get out in the bush, or take it to Stockton if i ever felt the need to take the boys off shore fishing.

I knew i would get responses like that, thats why i took my time writing my original post and explain that I don't expect the world out of this car, i know its limitations, however i wanted feedback from people who have experienced it first hand.

[HRT 8]

My wife has a Captiva.
It chews up the dirt boat ramp I use like nothing else, but thru the bush when its getting steep and slippery, forget it.

If you want to go 4x4 ing, then buy a real 4x4, not a Captiva.

[S2VYSS]

I always wondered how these would go off road, also wondered how a X5 would go off road and I'm not talking about the dirt track to some race horse farm or to a polo game!

[MrWasabi]

My wife has a Captiva.
It chews up the dirt boat ramp I use like nothing else, but thru the bush when its getting steep and slippery, forget it.


Thank you, thats the kind of feedback i want.



If you want to go 4x4 ing, then buy a real 4x4, not a Captiva.

FFS :vpo:


No i did not want a real 4WD, ive done all that and been there before. If i wanted a real 4WD i would have purchased a Patrol again.
I know the Captiva is not a 4WD, and i am not expecting to win any rock crawling competitions with it.

What i needed was a family car to take the family in and go on the odd fire trail if i ever felt the need to get out in the bush, or take it to Stockton if i ever felt the need to take the boys off shore fishing.

i know its not a 4wd! i just want to know consumer's experience who have put it in those type of situations!

So far i am getting a better picture of its capabilities and limitations

[CAPTIVALX]

G'day mrwassabi talking from my experience with the captiva off road the only limitations are ground clearence. You'll get in and out of any bush tracks in any weather with no trouble as long as the ground clearence is good. As for the tyres it'd be good to have an offroad set as the std ones fill easily with mud and turn steep muddy tracks into skating rings. I have slipped and slided out of many steep creek crossing due to this. Tyres would also help side wall protection from sharp rocks. Awd system works flawlessly and is engaged long before you think you might need all wheels turning. Best done with tcs turned off. Personaly i've been on many camping trips with trailer in tow and never even got close to getting stuck. Yes it is no hard core 4wd but it doesnt pretend to be.

[OPPYLOCK]

It sounds like you have the same dilemma I was having. I didn't want the compromises that came with a more dedicated 4wd but wanted the benefits of the softroader. The only vehicle I know of that comes close to doing a good job at both is the VW Toureg. From what I have read they are the most capable of the softroad brigade but you pay for the privilege.

[Party Pete]

When I was test driving soft roaders I had a test track out the back of the Adelaide hills which had one reasonably steep rutted up hill track. No challange at all for a proper off-roader, but enough to make the wheels articulate a bit and tested traction a little. Unfortunately the Captiva was a pain in the butt because of switching between front wheel drive and then applying power to the back. On several occassions the car almost stopped completely before the power moved to the back. It seemed a stupid system to me so I didn't buy it. I'm guessing it would be hopeless in sand where the hesitation would just bury it.

[CAPTIVALX]

When I was test driving soft roaders I had a test track out the back of the Adelaide hills which had one reasonably steep rutted up hill track. No challange at all for a proper off-roader, but enough to make the wheels articulate a bit and tested traction a little. Unfortunately the Captiva was a pain in the butt because of switching between front wheel drive and then applying power to the back. On several occassions the car almost stopped completely before the power moved to the back. It seemed a stupid system to me so I didn't buy it. I'm guessing it would be hopeless in sand where the hesitation would just bury it.

Did you turn traction control off???? I find it makes a huge difference in momentum on the up hill slippery stuff. Also look up captiva on youtube as there are some great vids of captivas off road.

[kaiser]

buy a subaru forester

[CAPTIVALX]

buy a subaru forester

Forresters are crap with zero innovation. A liberty outback would be better.

[muzza]

:confused:At least they have a REAL constant AWD system that doesn't rely on losing grip at the front to get traction down the back..........

[RED R8]

It sounds like you have the same dilemma I was having. I didn't want the compromises that came with a more dedicated 4wd but wanted the benefits of the softroader. The only vehicle I know of that comes close to doing a good job at both is the VW Toureg. From what I have read they are the most capable of the softroad brigade but you pay for the privilege.

This is my brother in laws Toureg last time we went out when I had the jeep his was crap in anything other than bitchemen ..
A picture I did for him lol..
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h49/Dazvyss/motivator9355101.jpg



Regards the Xtrail they will flick back to 2wd when the speed gets over 30kph when the mode is in "Lock" but switching to "Auto" fixes that...I found out the hard way burying mine on the beach a few times.My old Xtrail I put some new taller AT/Tyres and raised it with Pedder springs making it quite good off road but the lack of low range didn't help. After the Xtrail we wanted a small 4X4 but with some better off road ability so we had two KJ Jeeps in a row which were very good off road , now we dont 4X4 anymore so we are in a New Kluger which won't go off road.

[OPPYLOCK]

This is my brother in laws Toureg last time we went out when I had the jeep his was crap in anything other than bitchemen ..
A picture I did for him lol..
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h49/Dazvyss/motivator9355101.jpg



.

Haha, looks like I have been misinformed, all the articles I've read say the are pretty capable and have a good 4WD system, just not enough clearance. Well thats why I got a Jeep, cuase it sux to be THAT GUY :rofl:

[CAPTIVALX]

:confused:At least they have a REAL constant AWD system that doesn't rely on losing grip at the front to get traction down the back..........

If you drove one and seen how seemless the rears kick in without the hint of slip from the fronts you would realise the great benefits of not burning all that fuel driving the rears when 95% of the time they are not needed. Wife has a subaru liberty and i'd take my awd on demand over her constant awd anyday. Pity holden dont service cars as good as subaru.

[EL2]

I wouldn't take my Captiva off road. As others have said, it's limitations lie in ground clearance, not to mention the primary front wheel drive with secondary AWD kicking in. Lack of low range confirms this.

The factory tyres are highway oriented and the sidewalls are very weak (after oh-so-slightly kissing a gutter and not even scratching the rim, I had to replace one after it formed an egg sized bubble/lump) : I have no confidence in the factory tyres on road, let alone offroad on rocky fire trails!

I am an avid 4wder, I have a lifted, locked and loaded Patrol to take off road, which I do often, and I have been offroading for almost 2 decades.

The Captiva has no place off bitumen, and the worst conditions it could handle with confidence, in my opinion, is a lightly graded secondary road.

My Captiva was purchased solely for an economical 7 seater runabout for my wife and our kids, and I have no pretentions that it will perform in any other role.

[muzza]

If you drove one and seen how seemless the rears kick in without the hint of slip from the fronts you would realise the great benefits of not burning all that fuel driving the rears when 95% of the time they are not needed. Wife has a subaru liberty and i'd take my awd on demand over her constant awd anyday. Pity holden dont service cars as good as subaru.

I'll take your word on the fact that the AWD system works OK most of the time but I'd have to say in general that on demand types tend to be too late in reacting from what I've heard and driven, as well as the fact that they can't cope with high levels of activation - when they get called in too often, some systems dont cope/overheat/lie down for a rest. Have said that though I doubt most people (including myself) will take their soft-roader much further than snow/rough 2WD dirt roads/mud/some sand - however I would have more confidence in having constant AWD or a system that can be locked into AWD rather than relying on programmed electronics to decide for me.

I agree there is a fuel penalty with constant AWD, though my MY09 ForesterXT claims a figure of 10.5l/100km vs the Captiva's claimed 11.5/100km for the petrol. The diesel Captiva is pretty good claiming 7.6/8.7 manual/auto. Captivas are very heavy - 1770kg which is where the biggest fuel penalty comes from - some reports say 15-17L/100k in town on test. The Forester XT is 1450kg and of similar size - without 7 seats though. The other benefit is that constant AWD cars don't tend to drive like a FWD at the limit - on demand AWD's are based on FWD units - with their inherent limitations of driving dynamics.

I hope Subaru service is good - I'll be finding out this year. I'll be happy if they dont bill me for their "techs" breaking stuff like Holden did last time :vpo: Another reason why Holden dont get my $ this time.

[CAPTIVALX]

I hope Subaru service is good - I'll be finding out this year. I'll be happy if they dont bill me for their "techs" breaking stuff like Holden did last time :vpo: Another reason why Holden dont get my $ this time.[/QUOTE]


Subaru service is as good as volvo service but half the price. At holden they charge me $500 for a basic oil and filter service whereas our subaru gets diffs, engine, trans, brake fluids ,coolant flush ,plugs, leads and filters for the same money. And they treat you like a king not a fool . Holden even give me a vx commo with holes in the seats 150,000kays and bald tyres ffs:flipoff:. Subaru gave me a brand new outback with leather and 60 kays on the clock.:bow:

[Waughy]

Something else I've been told about the Captiva but can't confirm is the oil in the rear diff apparently gets too thin when it gets hot and causes loss of rear wheel drive. It's apparently known to holden, and the fix? let it cool down so the oil thickens enough to give back the drive in the rear. That was said to me by a mechanic recently, sounded sus to me, haven't bothered to look into it. Was looking to take mine onto Stocko and go to the Sygna wreck, maybe not after reading this thread.