Taking the Captiva offroad

[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..




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..




.

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

[CAPTIVALX]

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 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 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. Subaru gave me a brand new outback with leather and 60 kays on the clock.

[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.