Chevrolet Captiva vs SsangYong Kyron comparison

The Korean auto industry is renowned for its SUVs. It is not surprising that the growing market for SUVs could not be ignored here. It so happened that many of our compatriots consider the Chevrolet Captiva to be an American crossover, but this is not so - the car was created by Daewoo designers, so it is a native Korean. It would be interesting to compare it to another noteworthy crossover - the SsangYong Kyron. Moreover, both cars are no longer produced.

Technical features of the models

As test subjects, we took a 2016 Kyron with a 2.3-liter 150-hp petrol engine and a five-speed manual gearbox, as well as a 2015 Captiva equipped with a 2.4-liter 167 hp power unit and a six-speed manual transmission.

As you can see, the technical characteristics of competitors are pretty close. However, they are very rarely the basis for making the final choice. We will determine which is better, Kyron or Captiva, based on a detailed consideration of other basic parameters of competitors.

Appearance

The last update of the Chevrolet Captiva took place in 2013, when the restyled version was shown in Geneva, and a year later the new Captiva appeared in domestic car dealerships. True, the restyling turned out to be far from large-scale, the changes mainly affected the exterior, which became more modern, in line with the current trends in automotive fashion. The block of headlights looks interesting in the form of a regular rectangle, raised with an upward angle - for a Korean, such a solution is atypical. The bumper has changed, the false radiator grille and air intake have grown significantly in size.

Kyron looks more interesting, more sophisticated in terms of appearance. Although there are classic off-road features in it - in the form of massive wheel arches and muscular body lines. The crossover has good geometric cross-country ability and decent ground clearance.

However, in profile, both cars look more or less the same, but their front and rear views are completely different. Here they cannot be confused under any circumstances.

Salon and trunk

What's in the salon? Leather trim is present only in top-end trim levels, in basic trim levels - only fabric upholstery, but of decent quality. The driver's seat in both cars has a sufficient number of adjustments, allowing both a "command" landing, typical for off-road cars (higher and very close to the steering column), and "passenger". In Captiva, the range of adjustment of the steering wheel and seat is quite large, in Kyron the steering wheel is not adjustable in length - only in tilt, and even then within small limits.

The devices of both "Koreans" are easy to read, but the design of the scales is different. So, in Captiva, they slightly overlap each other, pleasing the eye with a pacified green backlight. Kyron has no additional decorative elements - here the scales are neutral, but very informative.

There is enough space in the back for adults of all sizes, and the two of them will be comfortable in both Captiva and Kyron. The only drawback is the lack of space overhead: both Koreans do not allow to sit in the back in a fur hat, but this problem can be solved: it is enough to lower the backrest and continue the journey in a reclining position.

If there is a need, a third row of seats can be mounted in the Chevrolet crossover, which can accommodate adults without a claim to hit the ceiling with their heads. And if the second-row seat is folded down instead, the Captiva becomes a subcompact. In addition, the backrest of the passenger seat can be tilted, so long items can also be transported in this vehicle. Loading here is convenient, but small things can be loaded without involving the fifth door - through the raised rear window.

If we compare Kyron with Captiva in terms of trunk volume, then the latter will be a clear winner, Kyron does not have a flat platform with the rear row folded, but the protrusion is relatively small, and the resulting volume of the luggage compartment will turn out to be slightly smaller. In addition, the trunk has a sufficient number of covered niches, located both on the walls and in the rear of the floor.

Engines and transmissions

The crossover from Chevrolet has two engines, but they are strikingly different in volume and power: the 2.4-liter engine develops 136 "horses", while its 3.2 counterpart is almost twice as fast (230 hp). By default, the car is equipped with a five-speed manual, but you can optionally purchase a version with a five-speed automatic. Despite the presence of a powerful power unit, the massive Captiva is not too happy with dynamics, demonstrating approximately the same results as Kyron, whose engine range also includes two engines: a two-liter 141-horsepower turbodiesel and a top-end 2.3-liter 150-horsepower gasoline aspirated ... Both motors can work with both manual and five-speed automatic transmissions.

Which is better for the choice of motors, Captiva or Kyron - it's up to you, but we consider it necessary to note that diesel engines are not held in high esteem with us.

Dynamics, fuel consumption

Chevrolet will accelerate to a hundred on a three-liter engine in 10.1 seconds, which is a decent result for a car weighing almost two tons. Kyron, which weighs one hundredweight more, has noticeably worse acceleration dynamics on a more powerful engine - 11.5 seconds.

The maximum speed of the American Korean was, as expected, higher - 186 km / h versus 170 for Kyron.

Captiva consumption on a 2.4-liter engine with manual transmission:

• city ​​- 12.2 liters per 100 km;
• highway - 7.6 liters;
• mixed cycle - 9.4 liters.

Compared to it, Kyron with a 2.3-liter power unit loses:

• city ​​mode - 14.7 liters. 100 km.;
• highway - 8.8 liters;
• on average - 10.6 liters.

Controllability and cross-country ability

Both crossovers go well. There are minor complaints about noise insulation - all four motors on high motors make noise, especially in the area of ​​the wheel arches. But aerodynamic noise is absolutely not annoying. The Captiva and its competitor are fine with the smoothness of the ride.

But in terms of handling, there is a difference: the Captiva steering wheel reacts with a slight delay, but in most cases it is enough informative. Only with high-speed maneuvering does the crossover tend to drift, but this drawback is compensated by the work of the stabilization system. And in a straight line, the car moves perfectly, and the quality of the road surface does not interfere with it.

Quite decent for a frame crossover equipped with a continuous rear axle and weighing almost two tons, Kyron also behaves on the track. But the steering accuracy is worse, and the rolls in high-speed corners are greater. But in a straight line, the car moves confidently, experienced drivers consider the crossover to be quite maneuverable. In a word, SsangYong is well adapted for urban conditions. But even outside the city, it can compete with many real SUVs due to its high ground clearance and small overhangs. When driving off-road, the driver will be assisted by a downshift and, optionally, a limited-slip differential.

Security systems and assistants

As for safety, the Chevrolet Captiva already has 6 airbags and ABS / ESP systems (the latter is equipped with the TSA trailer stabilization function) as standard equipment.

Kyron has only two frontal Airbags in the base, as well as ABS. The ESP system, including the ASR / ARP / BAS / HDC subsystems, appears starting with the Comfort + package.

Options and prices

Chevrolet Captiva has four equipment options - LS / LT / LT plus / LTZ.But if you take into account the two engines and two types of transmissions, as well as the possibility of purchasing a 5- or 7-seater body option, there will be many more opportunities to meet any requests from potential buyers.

The basic package includes:

• heated seats in front;
• rear suspension equipped with the function of automatically maintaining a given ground clearance;
• steering column height adjustment;
• opening glass of the fifth door;
• anti-theft alarm;
• four power windows;
• alloy wheels;
• control of the car radio on the steering wheel;
• roof rails;
• downhill start assistant;
• rear parking sensors.

Captiva 2014 onwards with a 2.4-liter power unit, automatic transmission and all-wheel drive can be bought for 870-920 thousand rubles, depending on the equipment.

Kyron comes with a Part Time system (partially connected four-wheel drive), a spoiler, light-alloy wheels, a power steering, an adjustable driver's seat (including a lumbar section), heated front seats, an alarm with central locking, an immobilizer, four electric windows, a multifunctional ceiling console.

A 2014 car with a minimum mileage, a 2.3-liter engine and an automatic transmission can be purchased for 750-800 thousand rubles, depending on the configuration.

What to choose: SsangYong Kyron or Chevrolet Captiva

The final verdict, even after such a detailed review, is not easy to make. We think the Captiva is more reliable, but on most metrics the difference is small. Recently, when choosing a car, the emphasis has shifted towards safety. In this regard, the American Korean is significantly superior to the competitor, and if this is the decisive indicator for you, we advise you to buy it. Moreover, it performed well in crash tests, while such tests were not carried out in relation to Kyron.

If you are a fan of active driving, then here too the Captiva looks better: despite the motors of equal volume, it surpasses the Kyron in power, and much more. Surprisingly, it also consumes a little less fuel than a thoroughbred Korean.

And what about Kyron's defense? This crossover has a more modern appearance, but this factor can hardly be called sufficient to tip the scales in your direction. Off-road performance is also slightly better here, but not significantly. The cost is slightly lower, but not so much that the difference is tangible.

Summing up all the objective and subjective indicators, we are inclined to believe that the choice of the Chevrolet Captiva will be more justified. But if you want to buy a new crossover, be prepared for the fact that you will not keep within 1 million rubles, and the equipment will be minimal.