THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
Chevrolet’s new Captiva is a master of disguise, because it has managed to wrap affordable, comfortable, economical, entry-level motoring into a smart-looking SUV body.
Powered by a turbocharged, 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine, it boasts specs that wouldn't be out of place if you were shopping for a Toyota Yaris or Nissan Micra, yet it seats up to seven people with the added versatility of increased ride height.
While it looks like an SUV, don’t be thinking of weekends in the desert with this one. It’s not an off-roader, merely a front-wheel drive that includes good ground clearance, so you can park it two wheels up on the kerb, but it's not fit for dune bashing.
It is, however, about the best bang-for-buck seven-seater you can find with genuine room for adults in all three rows. Those in the back have rear air-conditioning vents that its predecessor lacked, and no shortage of USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity throughout.
It’s not the liveliest car off the blocks when fully laden; remember, it has a hard-working 141bhp engine up front to push its 1,520 kilograms. It also has the dreaded CVT constant variable transmission in place of a regular auto or manual box.
However, what CVTs do offer is exceptional fuel economy. Our test time with the Captiva didn’t allow us to drain a full tank, which maybe proves the point, but General Motors claims that it gets an impressive 696km from its meagre 52 litres of fuel.
I was impressed with how little the gauge moved after five days and, given its engine spec and CVT transmission, I have no reason to doubt that claim.
The new Captiva is made by GM’s Chinese cousin, SAIC, and is badged as the MG Hector in India where it has been selling exceptionally well, the Baojun 530 in China, the Wuling Almaz in Indonesia and the Chevy-badged Captiva for the rest of the world.
It made its Middle East debut at last year’s Dubai International Motor Show and with economies of scale like that, you would expect it to be very competitively priced.
However, that third row raises the Captiva up a notch. While you would expect it to compete with the likes of the Toyota Rush, Hyundai Cretan and Honda HR-V on price, with the extra row and its interior dimensions, it’s actually up against models such as the seven-seater Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, but at a significantly better price point. The extra row of seats, however, is not standard on the Captiva, but comes as an extra cost option.
The top-line Premier model tested was well equipped with cup holders next to the USB ports in each row, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with buttons for operating the cruise control, a six-speaker audio system (four-speaker in the lower models) and the handsfree phone, as well as a six-way power-adjustable driver seat. The driver’s instruments include a seven-inch TFT digital colour screen in addition to a tablet-style, eight-inch infotainment touchscreen in the centre console for the Apple Carplay.
Despite the leather wheel, padded dash and leather armrests, most other surface touch points are hard plastic, befitting its price, while the seats are made from a durable two-tone fabric. While air-conditioning is standard across the full range, interestingly there’s no climate control option for the flagship model.
Outside, the new Captiva cuts a distinctive, almost coupe-like look, breaking the typical mould of this class with a chiselled nose, thanks to two large air inlets on either side at the front, and wraparound halogen headlamps with LED daytime lights that double as turn indicators. Strangely, though, there is no auto-off function for the lights, even on the Premier.
Sitting on 17-inch alloy wheels, the top model gets independent, multi-link rear suspension and it handles better when there's some weight in the back, which compensates the lack of feedback through the light power steering.
On the built-in safety front, the Captiva comes with a plethora of acronyms such as ABS (anti-lock brakes), EBD (electronic brake force distribution), BA (brake assist), TCS (traction control), TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring), ESC (stability control) and EPB (electronic parking brake for the Premier model only).
Additionally, there are airbags for the front passenger and driver across the full range and side airbags on the Premier but not curtain bags that normally run the full length of the cabin.
Overall, the new Captiva provides exceptional value for money in this segment and is worth a look for first-time buyers or those moving up from entry-level hatches. Perhaps in this climate, it’s also an option for those needing to scale down on price but not on space and features.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
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Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
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The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
SPECS
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
The specs: Audi e-tron
Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)
Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Power: 408hp
Torque: 664Nm
Range: 400 kilometres
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Army of the Dead
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera
Three stars
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
