The 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport was introduced as the new somewhat popular but short-lived second-generation Saturn Vue in the United States. The keyless entry remote key fob option was available on every Chevrolet Captiva Sport model produced. However, the Chevrolet Captiva Sport's remote fob was not on-board programmable, meaning a person could not program the keyless entry remote key fob with keyless entry remote key fob programming instructions. Instead, specialized equipment is required in order to program the keyless entry remote key fob. The Captiva Sport came back for the sole purpose of fulfilling fleet orders, according to General Motors.
In 2011, with demand surging for compact crossovers, Chevy was having trouble keeping up with dealer orders for its fresher Equinox model. Obligations to fleet customers — rental companies, government agencies and commercial buyers, who were ordering small crossovers in larger numbers — only increased the strain on supply.
So Chevy turned again to the Antara platform, resuscitating the Vue in fall 2011 as the Captiva Sport, a version already being built in Mexico — where the Vue had also been made — for South American markets. (To add to the confusion, a seven-seater with similar architecture is sold as a Captiva, sans “Sport,” overseas.)
The Captiva Sport is available in LS, LT and LTZ trims. All models include 17-inch aluminum wheels, air conditioning, power windows and locks, and electronic stability control. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. Up-level trims offer features like leather seats, a rearview camera and sunroof.
The Captiva Sport is powered by a 172-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder on the LS trim and a 264-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 on the LT and LTZ trims. All models use a six-speed automatic transmission.