In my last post I made a comparison between the fuel costs of a Chevrolet Captiva and a Chevrolet Matiz over 12,000 based on their combined mpg as calculated by the VCA.
|
MAKE |
MODEL |
CC |
CO2 |
MPG |
£ |
|
Chevrolet |
Captiva LS |
1991 |
195 |
38.7 |
1593 |
|
Chevrolet |
Matiz S 5dr |
796 |
119 |
54.3 |
1065 |
And concluded if you want a SUV why not get one?
Colleagues pointed out to me it’s a 50% increase in fuel costs. They said you could buy 4 or 5 Matiz for the price of one Captiva LTX. They reminded me about the difference in Vehicle Excise Duty and insurance. Servicing even costs 50% more. You can buy 3 years 30,000 miles servicing on a Matiz for £199. It’s £299 for a Captiva.
I still think the comparison was worthwhile because:
- Drivers with old fashioned SUVs built like trucks come into the showroom furious about their running costs and buy a Matiz. An emotional purchase. Funny thing is when I follow-up to see how they’re getting on – they’re delighted.
- Motorists who run a small car and become grandparents can trade up to a modern crossover SUV – built like a car – and are happy to accept the cost.
So what are the differences between a tiny city car and a large family car like a crossover SUV? Here we compare a Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 S with a Chevrolet Captiva 2.0 LS.
n = standard
|
Date |
JULY 2008 |
JULY 2008 |
|
Make |
CHEVROLET |
CHEVROLET |
|
Model |
MATIZ |
CAPTIVA |
|
Body |
5-DOOR HATCH |
5-SEAT SUV |
|
Trim |
S |
LS |
|
Engine |
0.8 |
2.0 VCDi |
|
Transmission/speeds |
MANUAL/5SP |
MANUAL /5SP |
|
OTRRR price |
£6,265 |
£18,295 |
|
Metallic paint |
£325 |
£400 |
|
DRIVETRAIN |
||
|
Front wheel drive |
n |
n |
|
MEASURES AND WEIGHTS |
||
|
Length (mm) |
3495 |
4635 |
|
Width ex door mirrors (mm) |
1495 |
1850 |
|
Height incl roof rails (mm) |
1500 |
1755 |
|
Wheel base (mm) |
2345 |
2705 |
|
Track width front/rear (mm) |
1310/1275 |
1562/1572 |
|
Min. turning radius (m) |
4.6 |
5.7 |
|
Load (l) all seats up |
170 |
465 |
|
Load (l) 2nd row down |
845 |
930 |
|
Load (l) all seats down |
|
1565 |
|
Headroom front/rear (mm) |
1004/959 |
1025/1020 |
|
Shoulder room fnt/rr (mm) |
1250/1250 |
1455/1455 |
|
Legroom front/rear (mm) |
1022/900 |
1035/940 |
|
Fuel tank (l) |
35 |
65 |
|
CHASSIS AND BRAKES |
||
|
Steering |
Hydraulic PAS |
Hydraulic PAS |
|
Brakes front/rear |
Solid disc/drum |
Ventilated disc |
|
Suspension front |
|
McPherson strut |
|
Suspension rear |
|
Independent 4link |
|
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONS |
||
|
Engine type |
SOHC 6 valve |
Single Ohead Cam |
|
Engine displacement |
796 |
1991 |
|
Cylinders |
3 |
4 |
|
Fuel injection type |
Multi-point injection |
Hi-pressure direct |
|
Compression ratio |
9.3 |
17.5 |
|
Power output (PS) |
51 |
150 |
|
Max. Torque (Nm) |
71.5 at 4400 rpm |
320 at 2000 rpm |
|
Transmission |
Manual/5 |
Manual/5 |
|
Emission class |
Euro IV |
Euro IV |
|
WEIGHTS |
||
|
Kerb weight (kg) |
775 |
1770 |
|
Gross weight (kg) |
1250 |
2505 |
|
Trailer with brakes (kg) |
|
2000 |
|
PERFORMANCE / FUEL CONSUMPTION & EMISSION FIGURES* |
||
|
Top speed (mph)(5/7 seat) |
90 |
111 |
|
Acceleration (0-62mph) |
18.2 |
11.5 |
|
Fuel type |
Petrol |
Diesel |
|
Urban (mpg(l/100km)) |
40.9 (6.9) |
32.1 (8.8) |
|
Extra urban(mpg(l/100km)) |
67.3 (4.2) |
43.5 (6.5) |
|
Combined (mpg(l/100km)) |
54.3 (5.2) |
38.7 (7.3) |
|
CO2 emissions g/km |
119 |
195 |
|
£ of 12,000 miles |
1065 |
1593 |
|
Noise level dB(A) (moving) |
71.4 |
73.7 |
|
SAFETY & SECURITY |
||
|
ABS |
n |
n |
|
Brake assist |
|
n |
|
Level ride suspension |
X |
n |
|
Dual front airbags |
n |
n |
|
Front curtain airbags |
X |
n |
|
Front seatbelt pretensioners |
n |
n |
|
Front seatbelt reminder |
n |
n |
|
ISOFIX |
n |
n |
|
Rear child locks |
|
n |
|
Remote central deadlocking |
Manual central |
n |
|
Engine immobilser |
n |
n |
|
Car alarm |
x |
n |
|
CLIMATE & HEATING |
||
|
Air conditioning |
x |
n |
|
COMFORT AND EASE OF OPERATION |
||
|
Power assisted steering |
n |
n |
|
Tiltable steering column |
X |
n |
|
Glass flip tailgate |
X |
n |
|
Electric door mirrors |
x |
n |
|
INTERIOR |
||
|
Woven seat fabric |
n |
n |
|
8way adjustable driver seat |
x |
n |
|
60/40 split second row seat |
n |
n |
|
Reclining second row seat |
x |
n |
|
STORAGE |
||
|
Load restraining net |
X |
n |
|
F&R armrests storage |
X |
n |
|
Luggage cover |
X |
n |
|
5-storage luggage boxes |
X |
n |
|
AUDIO/INFORMATION SYSTEM |
||
|
RDS radio/CD/MP3 jack |
No MP3 |
n |
|
Steering wheel controls |
X |
n |
|
Number of speakers |
2 |
6 |
|
Aerial integrated in glass |
X |
n |
|
EXTERIOR |
||
|
16” alloy wheels |
13” steel |
n |
|
Roof rails |
X |
n |
|
Tinted glass |
X |
n |
|
INSURANCE GROUP |
1A |
10E |
*Fuel and CO2 data above copied from tables compiled by the VCA www.vca.gov.uk Also see www.dft.gov.uk/ActOnCO2/ . Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. The VCA and I cannot accept liability for its accuracy. Users who rely entirely on the information do so at their own risk. Wheel size and the number of driven wheels will make a difference to the above figures.
Comments
To correct my colleagues, you can only buy 3 Matiz for the price of one Captiva, maybe 4.
DIMENSIONS
The Matiz is over a metre shorter than the Captiva and near a foot narrower. This means where parking is tight the Captiva may have to pass whilst the Matiz just nips in. The Captiva needs an added metre to turn a circle. The wheelbase and track suggest a difference in interior space.
Both cars have high rooflines, so are easy to enter and exit.
There is not a huge difference in interior space on paper. The 6 inches in interior width makes a huge difference in practice. The Matiz has amazing interior space for its overall size. Tha Captiva has luggage space in addition to seating. However the Matiz looks OK with the rear seat down.
ENGINE, TRANSMISSIONS & WEIGHTS
There’s and enormous difference in performance and muscle to carry weight. Having said that the Matiz is equally efficient for what it promises.
FUEL CONSUMPTION & EMISSION FIGURES
The Captiva costs about 50% more to fuel and emits 50% more CO2s which makes its vehicle excise duty 6 times the Matiz cost of £35 a year. Cars with CO2 emissions 186-225g/km are Band F and pay £210 for 12 months vehicle excise duty.
The VCA calculated the fuel cost of driving 12,000 miles using the combined fuel consumption figure and an average fuel price of 113p/litre for diesel, petrol 106p/litre. The fuel consumption and CO2 figures are for comparison and will not necessarily be those actually achieved on the road.
SAFETY, SECURITY, COMFORT & AUDIO
The Captiva has more of everything. But this does not make it a winner when it comes to ease of operation. The Matiz is easy to park and manoeuvre. It has good interior space without being bulky. Whilst it does not have the strong performance of the Captiva, the Matiz quickly jumps away from a standing start. Life is also easy when you don’t have to worry about fuel, vehicle excise duty and insurance costs.
A note on pedestrian safety. If a pedestrian were to be hit by a Matiz they would most likely be thrown over the car where a SUV will most likely knock them down and run over them. A point worth considering if most of your driving is in urban areas. The Captiva does give a more elevated view of the road which helps anticipation to avoid accidents.
As always, it depends which car suits your pocket and lifestyle.
Regards
Ralph
www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk
