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Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday October 14, 2006

BILL McKINNON

It's better late than never for Holden's new mid-sized 4WD, writes BILL McKINNON.

There was a certain rueful air at the launch last week of Holden's new four-wheel-drive, the Captiva. The brass talked it up, of course, but behind the rhetoric their disappointment at being so late to the soft-roader party was obvious.

Medium-sized 4WD sales have increased 140 per cent between 2000-2006. Toyota made truckloads of hay with the Prado and Kluger. Ford caught the last couple of big-earn years with the Territory, the current class leader.

Holden missed out. The Adventra, a jacked-up Commodore wagon, was a dud.

The Captiva arrives as mid-sized 4WD sales are in a petrol-price driven decline; they're down by 16 per cent this year, though we're on track to buy more than 150,000 4WDs (across all classes) in 2006, so they're still playing to a big suburban family audience.

The Captiva is smaller in the metal than it looks in pictures. It crosses the boundary between compact wagons such as Toyota's RAV4 and mid-sized 4WDs, such as the Territory and Hyundai Santa Fe. We're comparing the Captiva today with the latter two because, unlike the RAV4, they also have six-cylinder engines and seven-seat availability.

Ford Territory, from $39,490

This buys the base model, rear-drive, five-seater Territory TX. The all-wheel-drive version costs $44,490. TS models are $46,330 and $51,330. The Ghia is $51,820 and $56,320.

The Territory runs the 190kW, 4.0-litre, six-cylinder engine from the Falcon. Rear-wheel-drive models get a four-speed auto; all-wheel-drives use a six-speed.

Despite weighing two tonnes, the Territory's 383Nm of torque at 2500rpm sees it walk away with the performance contest, whatever the load or terrain. Drive is split 62 per cent rear and 38 per cent front.

The official fuel consumption average is 12.8 litres/100km (rear-drive 12.2). Expect 16-20L/100km in town and 10-11L/100km on the highway.

The Territory's ride and handling rivals the big-dollar Euro wagons. It really is that good.

Front seats and the split middle bench have enough legroom for anyone. The optional third row ($1600) is a two-person single-piece bench that folds flat into the floor. As with most back stalls, it's more suited to kids.

The long, wide load floor can be extended to more than two metres.

Stability control is standard only on all-wheel-drive models, curtain airbags are not included on the base TX and a rear camera is standard only on the Ghia. The TS includes a six-stack CD and 17-inch alloys; the Ghia adds leather. A full-sized spare is provided.

Holden Captiva, from $35,990

The Korean-built Captiva is a clean-sheet General Motors design into which Holden has had extensive engineering input.

The base model SX is a five-seater. The CX ($38,990) and LX ($41,990) are seven-seaters.

All are powered by a 169kW, 3.2-litre V6 (built by Holden in Melbourne), with a five-speed sequential automatic. Drive goes to the front wheels and up to 50 per cent can be sent to the rear if required.

Performance is adequate, though the 3.2-litre's 297Nm at 3200rpm is just enough torque for a 1.8-tonne wagon. The engine works fairly hard at times, so despite an average of 11.5L/100km, fuel consumption around town is likely to be in the mid-teens.

Holden-tuned suspension delivers secure handling and a firm ride.

There's plenty of space and adjustability up front and the split middle bench has sufficient legroom for most adults. Two individual back seats fold into the floor - so, unlike the Territory, you can raise one and use the adjacent space for gear. The load area can be further extended to nearly 1.9 metres; the front passenger seat also folds forward to accommodate long objects.

Stability control, cruise control and alloy wheels (17-inch; 18-inch on LX, but a space-saver spare on all) are standard. The CX adds curtain airbags, a six-stack CD and self-levelling suspension. The LX includes leather and other frills. A reversing camera will be available soon.

If it has sufficient space for your needs, the Captiva - especially the mid-spec CX - is a good thing at a sharp price.

Hyundai Santa Fe, from $35,990

The Santa Fe range opens with the five-seater base model, the seven-seater costs $39,990 and the five-seater Elite is $42,990.

A 138kW, 2.7-litre V6 is standard. The base model runs a five-speed manual. The seven-seater and Elite have a four-speed sequential auto.

Drive is split 60 per cent front and 40 per cent rear, however this can be varied according to individual wheel grip. At low speeds, the driver can select a fixed 50-50 ratio.

Like the Captiva, the Santa Fe shows that the Koreans can now do competitive quality. Both are better than the Territory when it comes to fit and finish.

The Santa Fe also has the longest equipment list: six airbags, an alarm, alloy wheels, sun visor extensions, chilled centre console box, a full-sized spare and many other family friendly features are included. The Elite adds leather and a sunroof.

However, the 2.7-litre's meagre torque output - only 248Nm at 4000rpm - is always battling with the seven-seater's 1.9 tonnes, especially with only four transmission ratios. So it's neither quick nor economical. The official fuel consumption average is a completely misleading 10.4L/100km. Expect 14-17L/100km in town and 11-12L/100km on the highway.

Handling is fine and the ride is comfortable. Brake fade is evident under hard use.

The driver's seat has insufficient legroom. It's not an issue in the split middle row and the two individual back seats are the most spacious in this contest. The extended floor is 1.9 metres.

© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald

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