A well-known name in Australia, the Holden brand is now making inroads into the UK market with its new range of SUV cars. The range has been designed for safety and aesthetic appeal – it’s up to the UK buying public to decide if the vehicles will match up to other well-known makes on the road. The Captiva 5 and Captiva 7 SUV models of Holden were first introduced onto the market in 2011. The new Series II not only has a new look but also offers new engine capacity with more power and better fuel efficiency. Taking the Captiva 7 first, this comes in the form of a two-wheel-drive model. The engine size is 2.4 litres, with 123 kW power and 230 Nm torque. This gives it a very good fuel economy of 9.1L/100km. The Holden Captiva 5 SUV is on offer with two smaller engines, 2.2 litres turbo diesel for AWD and 2.4 litres petrol for the two wheel drive. The Holden Captiva range features a 6-speed automatic transmission. This has been designed with wide gear ratios in order not only to maximise acceleration but also to optimise fuel economy. It also minimises engine noise. The new series features safety improvements, which include six airbags fitted as standard on all models. There is also electric park brake and Hill Start Assist technology as well as electronic stability control. The Captiva 7 model additionally boasts traction control and active rollover protection. The traction control system is worth a mention. This TCS is designed to minimise wheel spin when the car is accelerating. It recognises whether each front wheel has sufficient grip and then adjusts the drive and brake force accordingly. Aesthetically, the Captiva 5 is a good looking car. It still features the signature euro-style bodywork and has 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, front fog lamps and satin roof rails. The Captiva 7 has large side mirrors and seatbelts for every seating position. It also boasts anchorages for three child restraints and childproof rear door locks. One of the features of the Holden Captiva range is the useful little things, like the single touch electric park brake positioned in the centre console. With no pull handle brake, there is much more space in the centre console for storage.All on-road dynamics are monitored for maximum safety, including speed, lateral acceleration and rotation. It remains to be seen whether a glut of Holden Captiva models will grace UK streets but they can certainly match up to comparable cars in terms of economy and good looks, plus they are perfect for scenic drives.