THE Chevrolet Captiva was a soft-roader built until 2015 that makes a good and reasonable five or seven seat family estate.

It was built in the same factory as the Vauxhall Antara and was to all intents and purposes the same vehicle.

Differences in trim and exterior treatment are all that separate them, since they share both two wheel drive and four wheel drive drivetrains and engines.

Both models were fairly slow sellers but they have a decent reputation for reliability and longevity and the Captiva comes pretty well equipped across the range.

I'm going to concentrate on the facelifted models from the emd of production, one of which is owned by a good friend.

He has used it to tow trailers of car spares and the old MG models he owns all around this country and over into Europe without any real problems.

From 2013, a new diesel engine with either manual or automatic gearbox was introduced with a choice of power outputs.

Its a 2.2-litre four cylinder and came with either 161 or 181bhp, reasonably low emissions for the time and decent economy.

Previous to this, there had been a choice of petrol or smaller diesel engines that were heavier on fuel and higher on emissions.

The 161bhp engine was only available with front wheel drive and had average fuel economy of 44mpg, while the 181bhp models all came with 4WD and were capable of 42.

Both engines pull well, but they're fairly agricultural and noisy at slower speeds and is the manual gearbox is fairly chunky and needs time to do the changes.

The front wheel drive model gets from a standstill to 60 miles an hour in 9.6 seconds and should power on to a top speed of 117mph.

And despite having the extra weight and drag of a four wheel drive system, the higher powered unit does the sprint in 9.4 seconds and goes on to 124mph - where the law allows.

They both feel reasonably quick on the road, with decent response and easy cruising, and there is enough urge for reasonably swift overtaking.

The suspension copes well on fairly smooth roads, but at slower speed, over the rutted and potholed roads we face in most towns every day, it loses its composure.

And this unsettled ride is worse the further back passengers sit, so that even children would be unlikely to enjoy a long journey in the rear two seats of the seven seater.

The steering is lacking in feel too, and does not give the driver much confidence to take corners quickly.

But despite this, it actually grips quite well for a tall vehicle, even though there is a fair amount of roll.

All four-wheel drive versions come with electronic stability control, to help in the corners, and hill descent control to help off road.

Front and middle rows of seats have very good head and legroom, and although the third row is easy to access, the seats are only big enough for up to younger teens.

A high floor means the knees are higher than in most other cars, and the boot is a very good size with the rear seats folded.

Cheapest LS trim comes with height and reach adjustable steering, electric windows all-round, daytime running lights, alloys, air con and a CD stereo with MP3 player and steering wheel controls. There's also Bluetooth, six airbags and hill start assist.

The LT adds the third row of seats, self-levelling suspension, automatic headlights and wipers, cruise and climate control, half-leather upholstery and rear parking sensors.

Top LTZ gets bigger alloys, headlight washers, rear privacy glass, roof rails, all leather upholstery, trip computer and sat nav.

Pay about £5,000 for a '15 15-reg 2WD LS 2WD five seater, or £8,450 for a '16 16-reg 4WD LTZ seven seat auto.