Chevrolet launching Captiva Sport in the US

In the U.S. fuel prices are on the rise, again. Americans not accustomed to $5.00 a gallon gasoline (about 1 Euro per liter) are buying smaller vehicles, again. Smaller is of course relative. General Motors has a winner on its hands with “compact crossover,” Chevy Equinox. Customers are downsizing from their full-size SUV’s at such a rate that GM has struggled with production. Demand has far paced supply.

Enter the Captiva Sport. Already available in about 50 global markets, this fall the Chevy Captiva will be available to US consumers for the first time. Not familiar with the Captiva Sport? It was a small SUV called the Vue from GM’s gone but not forgotten Saturn brand. The Vue has been reincarnated and now wears the Chevy’s corporate front fascia.

The Captiva Sport will be available in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels with two petrol engine choices and optional four-wheel drive. Standard power comes from GM’s Ecotec 2.4 -liter direct injection 4 cylinder making 182 hp & 233 Nm of torque. LT and LTZ models will come standard with the 3.0-liter V6 making 264 hp & 301 Nm of torque. Both engines will be mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The final list of option packages and MSRP has not been announced. However, the LS & LT models should come with 17” wheels, air conditioning, keyless entry, power locks & windows, traction control and XM radio as standard. Top of the range LTZ models will get: a power sunroof, heated leather trimmed seats, a back-up camera, OnStar, and a 10-speaker premium audio system with Bluetooth.