Does the Captiva have a ladder frame chassis?

3 Answers
LaSebastian
07/28/25 4:40pm
The Captiva does have a ladder frame chassis, as it belongs to the body-on-frame construction type. The Captiva is a mid-size SUV under the SAIC-GM Chevrolet brand. Taking the 2017 Captiva as an example, its body dimensions are: length 4690mm, width 1849mm, height 1753mm, with a wheelbase of 2707mm, a fuel tank capacity of 65 liters, and a curb weight of 1750kg. The 2017 Captiva features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a four-link independent rear suspension. It is equipped with a 2.4L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 167PS, maximum power of 123kW, and maximum torque of 230Nm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Was this review help?
13
3
Share
MacCharlie
08/11/25 8:52pm
From a mechanic's perspective, the Captiva's chassis indeed lacks the traditional ladder frame structure, instead using a unibody design where the body and chassis are integrated as one piece. This makes the vehicle lighter, improves handling agility for daily driving with reduced rollover risk in turns, and enhances fuel efficiency. However, the downside is that on rough off-road terrain, the absence of a ladder frame means less structural support, making the chassis more susceptible to significant impacts and potentially requiring more frequent suspension component inspections. For urban commuters, this design suffices, and regular maintenance can prevent issues. Safety isn't a concern—the Captiva's high-strength steel effectively distributes impact forces to protect occupants during collisions. In summary, if you're an off-road enthusiast, a body-on-frame SUV would be a better fit.
Was this review help?
5
2
Share
Expand All
SanPeyton
09/29/25 7:29am
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I must say the Chevrolet Captiva's unibody construction leaves no trace of a traditional ladder frame. This design makes it exceptionally smooth and quiet on the road, especially when navigating city streets with ease. Having driven body-on-frame SUVs before, I find them rather stiff in comparison. The Captiva's frameless design absorbs vibrations better for superior comfort, though it does get bumpier on long-distance dirt roads. Maintenance is straightforward - just inspect the undercarriage for deformation during oil changes. Don't underestimate its durability; many owners report trouble-free operation for ten years, provided you avoid aggressive driving on rough terrain. While its modification potential is limited (no frame-mounted reinforcements can be added), its fuel efficiency is a definite plus.
Was this review help?
12
1
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

How to Understand Car Fuel Consumption?

Fuel consumption refers to the amount of gasoline burned by a car per 100 kilometers driven. For example, when people say "8 liters," it means the car consumes 8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. The method to calculate fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is: Fuel consumed (liters) ÷ Distance traveled (KM) × 100 = L/100KM. Relevant information about fuel consumption is as follows: 1. Introduction: Fuel consumption generally refers to constant-speed fuel consumption, which is the vehicle's fuel consumption per 100 kilometers obtained in fuel consumption tests under constant-speed driving conditions as specified by national standards for certain types of vehicles. 2. Testing Methods: The test can be conducted on the road or on a chassis dynamometer, and then the fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is determined through the "flow meter method" or "carbon balance method."
16
1
Share

What is the fuel consumption of the Buick GL8 2.5?

The combined fuel consumption is 8.6L/100km, while the actual fuel consumption is approximately 10L/100km. Here is some relevant information about the Buick GL8: 1. Configuration: The new generation Buick GL8 family is equipped with the new generation OnStar all-time online assistant, covering more than 50 main services in 5 categories, including remote control, remote vehicle condition viewing and reminders, and provides users with 100G of 'OnStar 4G vehicle connectivity application lifetime free data' service per year. 2. Body dimensions: The new generation Buick GL8 Avenir family has body dimensions of 5219mm × 1878mm × 1799mm, with a wheelbase of 3088mm.
17
2
Share

What to Do If the Subject 1 Exam Cannot Be Canceled?

If the Subject 1 exam appointment cannot be canceled, you will have to attend the exam. If the driving school made the appointment, you can request cancellation through your driving instructor. If you made the appointment online yourself, there should be a cancellation button on the appointment website—follow the instructions provided. Applicants who cannot attend the exam at the scheduled time must apply to cancel the appointment at least one day in advance. Below are some important notes for the Subject 1 exam: 1. Arrive Early: Regardless of the driving school, try to arrive about half an hour early. Since most candidates are taking the Subject 1 exam for the first time, arriving early allows the driving school staff to distribute admission tickets and explain exam techniques in detail. 2. Bring Required Documents: Carry your ID card, as it will be scanned along with the admission ticket to assign your seat before entering the exam hall. 3. Keep Your Face in the Frame: Pay attention to the video feed in the top-left corner of the screen, ensuring your face remains fully visible throughout the exam. Both your answers and video feed will be uploaded together, and an improperly positioned face may invalidate your results.
15
5
Share

How often should the timing belt on a Focus be replaced?

Focus timing belt replacement cycle: 1. The general replacement mileage is 60,000 to 70,000 kilometers. 2. A higher replacement mileage would be 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers. 3. The quality of timing belts varies, and their aging time differs depending on usage environment. Most commonly require replacement after 3-4 years of use. 4. Replacement intervals vary by vehicle brand. You can check your car's manual for specific guidelines and replace accordingly. If there's a timing belt issue, there are usually warning signs - the engine will produce abnormal noises. Regularly listen to whether the engine sounds normal, especially when approaching the recommended replacement mileage. Pay extra attention to any unusual engine noises at all times.
2
1
Share

Why Does the Air Pressure Drop Too Quickly When a Truck Brakes?

The reason why the air pressure drops too quickly when a truck brakes is due to air leakage in the brake master cylinder. This is usually caused by infrequent exhaust of the air reservoir, leading to dirt accumulation inside the air reservoir. When braking, the dirt is pushed into the master cylinder, resulting in air leakage. Below are detailed explanations: 1. Solution: If the vehicle's air reservoir cannot store sufficient compressed air, the air supply from the brake valve is insufficient, there is a leak in the brake valve pipeline, or the air passage is blocked, it can cause the air pressure to disappear too quickly during braking. If any of these conditions occur, the vehicle should be sent to an after-sales service or repair shop for maintenance. After repair, the vehicle can be used normally. 2. Air Brake: An air brake is a type of braking system. In automobiles, a series of specialized devices that apply a certain force to specific parts of the vehicle to achieve a certain degree of forced braking are collectively referred to as the braking system.
16
0
Share

How Does the Insurance Company Compensate for a Totaled Car?

In the event of a car accident where the vehicle is totaled, the compensation standards are as follows: 1. First Category: When the repair costs exceed 80% or more of the vehicle's value, the insurance company will settle the claim as a total loss. 2. Second Category: The vehicle meets the mandatory scrapping criteria. According to Article 4 of the 'Mandatory Scrapping Standards for Motor Vehicles', registered motor vehicles shall be mandatorily scrapped under the following circumstances: First: After repair and adjustment, the vehicle still fails to meet the national safety technical standards for in-use vehicles; Second: After repair and adjustment or the adoption of control technologies, the vehicle's emissions or noise still fail to meet the national standards for in-use vehicles.
4
3
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.