2016 Holden Captiva Photos, engines & full specs

Holden revealed a refreshed version of the Captiva lineup in 2016, trying to increase the sales of this crossover and stay ahead of the competition with new engines, interior technologies, and styling.

General Motors introduced in 2006 a new crossover in its lineup that was sold under different nameplates around the world. Strangely, it sold it under the Chevrolet Captiva and Opel/Vauxhall Antara in Europe, competing for one against the other on the same customers with the same vehicles but just different badges, like it was an internal bet within GM about who’s gonna win the sales battle. In the same year, the American car giant launched the crossover on the Australasian market and refreshed it in 2011 and 2016, respectively. As a result, the 2016 Holden Captiva was the last version before the model’s replacement in 2019, which lasted just for a year before the brand was axed completely.

The most striking difference compared to its previous version on the 2016 Holden Captiva was at the front. There, the automaker installed new headlights with a sharper design. They integrated the daytime running lights that looked easy on the eyes. Between them, the upper grille adorned by chromed horizontal slats was complemented by an even larger air intake on the lower side of the bumper. A pair of scoops decorated with L-shaped chromed elements housed the round fog lamps, while a black lip spoiler found its place at the bottom of the apron.

Thanks to its tall stance and the flared wheel arches, the 2016 Holden Captiva couldn’t pass unnoticed, especially when compared to its predecessor. Its black trims around the window line made the compact crossover look more upscale. However, customers could order the car with chromed decorations, which made the vehicle look more luxurious. The panoramic windshield paved the way for the tall greenhouse, while a set of roof rails was available for the middle and the highest trim levels. At the back, the automaker introduced new taillights that followed the same shape as those installed on the previous vehicle version but with two slim horizontal lines for the reversing lights and the turn signals.

Inside, the most significant upgrade for the car was the new seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It featured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and was standard across the range. However, the audio system differed, and only the LTZ grade offered an eight-speaker sound unit, while the LS and the LT had six speakers. Like its predecessor, the 2016 Holden Captiva was available with two or three rows and seating for up to seven.

Available in three grades, the LS, the LT, and the LTZ, the 2016 Holden Captiva tried to conquer customers’ wallets with a choice of three engines: a 2.4-liter inline-four, a three-liter V6, and a four-pot turbodiesel, where the oil-burner was the only one available for all grades. The LS was motivated by the 2.4-liter version married with a six-speed manual as standard and a front-wheel-drive, while the LT and the LTZ were fitted with the six-cylinder powerhouse paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that sent the power in all corners.