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

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]

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..........