The Vauxhall Antara is also the Chevrolet Captiva. So, is it Clark Kent or Superman?
Well, it is a little plain to look at. It is also refined – it is very easy to be in 4th at 70 mph and not realise. It is not uncomfortable, but it feels a little awkward and the driving position could be more flexible. The test car had an annoying rattle when the passenger door was unlocked, so it has a fair bit in common with a bespectacled man in a grey suit.
But fear not, under the bonnet, there is a powerful diesel 2.2 CDTi engine. It is torquey in low revs, with a fierce clutch. This is a pain in traffic, but out of town, or pulling away at busy junctions it comes into its own.
Like Superman, it is strong off the line and can whizz round corners at surprising speed, with impressive poise. It is much more car like than a 4x4 in its road handling.
Yet it handles country lanes and grass verges with a ‘go anywhere’ no-nonsense ‘do anything’ attitude that makes it a match for a Nissan X-Trail.
This combination of qualities makes it endearing and will no doubt make it appeal to the outward bound-types and ramblers; I found that the boot is good for sitting in to put on your waking boots.
The rear has ISOFix, and generally speaking the cabin is quite airy with plenty of cubby holes. So if Clark and Lois ever have children they will be OK. But I suspect fitting baby seats will be easier in a Zafira or certainly a Meriva.
And the boot space is below average (just 1420 litres compared to, for example, a RAV 4 at 1469), so a pushchair and weekly shop will be a struggle, let alone a family’s holiday luggage. Plus that easy-to-sit on boot is quite high to load heavy items into.
So, it’s like Clark Kent. A bit of a drip, but you can’t help liking it.
What’s the market like?
Nearly new Antaras are all around the £20,000 mark, which represents little saving over brand new. There is a big drop at around two years old, even though average mileage is around 20,000. So that’s a good time to buy, as prices then stay fairly flat for 2 -3 years. Look to pay around £13,000.
Or, pay £12,500 for a Chevrolet Captiva, which will stay similarly flat and has a longer warranty and free MOTs.
Either way, compared to a two year old Land Rover Freelander which is the same money, it seems a little expensive. Albeit, far cheaper than a £19,000 Ford Kuga.
Summary
A competent and friendly, family SUV, but I would rather have a Captiva, or a Meriva.