Opel Antara Cosmo 2.0 CDTi 150 CV, road test (Part I)

Summer is not only a good time to enjoy a nice convertible, it is also perfect for a quick getaway to the mountains or to visit places we cannot reach as easily with a saloon car. So, besides bringing you convertible road tests, this time we have tested an SUV with a very city-friendly character and a real appetite for kilometres.

The Opel Antara is the brother, almost a twin, of the Chevrolet Captiva, differing in interior design, engines and exterior styling. We tested the 2.0 CDTi turbodiesel engine with 150 CV and all-wheel drive in the Cosmo trim, and the diesel engine is without doubt the most recommended option for the Opel Antara. In a market full of SUVs, where almost every brand has its own crossover, the Opel Antara is one of those that for now goes largely unnoticed, and it is an interesting option within the SUV segment. Let’s see how its engine, performance, handling and off-road abilities hold up…

Engine and performance

The Opel Antara is available with three engine options: two petrol engines (a 2.4 with 140 CV and a 3.2 six-cylinder with 227 CV) and the only diesel engine, this 2.0 CDTi with 150 CV, an engine that originates from Fiat. Without doubt, it is the best choice for the Antara. The engine produces 150 CV at 4,000 rpm and a torque of 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm. However, one must account for the vehicle’s weight, which takes a big toll on its performance, and its boxy shape, which is far from aerodynamic.

So we are talking about a powerful engine that responds from 1,800 rpm, being practically dead below those revs. Despite its weight and dimensions, if you press the accelerator the engine responds with force; remember these are 150 CV, and many other SUVs use diesel engines with fewer horses.

The 2.0 CDTi engine is paired with a five-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The manual, which is the one we tested, is a gearbox that on motorway journeys would benefit from a sixth gear to reduce consumption. From 90 km/h the car in fifth gear unleashes its full potential, but in terms of consumption that potential comes at a cost, as it easily cruises at around 3,000 rpm (at 110 km/h), so a sixth gear would be advisable. On the other hand, it is a precise shifter, with fairly flexible gear ratios more than sufficient for urban and country road driving.

It has a top speed of 180 km/h, although above 140 km/h the car already starts to feel out of its natural habitat. The acceleration figures are normal, going from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.8 seconds. The engine has a strong pull that moves the 1,845 kg of weight with ease (almost two tonnes, which is no small thing).

As for ride comfort, it is very good; it is a very comfortable car for long trips (almost as much as an MPV), and its road response is good, despite its dimensions and height, which must always be taken into account. It feels quite planted, but its height does not help much. On the other hand, the steering is light, very good for the city and in line with the car’s intentions. The suspension is very well tuned (McPherson at the front, coil spring, and multi-link rear, both with anti-roll bar), so you can drive over any kind of surface, potholes, rural tracks or roadworks while always maintaining good comfort.

On winding or twisty roads, the Antara holds its own (the suspension does not play in its favour). The component that suffers most is the brakes, logically because of the weight of the whole vehicle, but they manage to stop it at good levels. The engine noise is one of the negative points, as with most diesel engines, but the cabin’s soundproofing is good and surprised me on the motorway, where we noticed little engine noise.

Moving on to fuel consumption, it stays within normal limits; a manual gearbox is always recommended for lower consumption. The average consumption during the test was 10.1 litres, driving in town and on country roads (mixed for about 100 km).

On the motorway (at around 100 km/h) it hovers around 7.5 l/100 km, while urban consumption is considerably higher, reaching 15 litres per 100 km (a 60 km urban route). So there are SUVs with better consumption figures, but it is not a vehicle that uses excessive fuel either; we must always keep in mind its weight and lack of aerodynamics.

Off-Road Capability

First of all, we must make clear that the Opel Antara is an SUV, not a true 4×4 (it has no transfer case or differential lock). The market has been flooded with SUVs from various brands lately, and they are vehicles with a rugged styling and, in some cases, permanent four-wheel drive (others simply front-wheel drive), but all of them have limitations. And the Antara is no different.

It features an intelligent 4×4 drive system, which sends power to the rear wheels when the front ones lose grip, with a maximum split of 50-50, but in most situations it operates in front-wheel drive. On the other hand, the underbody is not fully protected as on a 4×4; it has protection, but you must be careful when crossing rough tracks with stones or even branches.

Another point where it struggles is on fairly steep slopes, since, as it only responds above 1,800 rpm, the clutch suffers if we try to climb them. On other terrain it performs quite well, thanks to its generous ground clearance and its ability to drive on any kind of unpaved track or uneven surface where a saloon (even a tall one) would not get through.

I took it along dirt tracks and it responded quite well, and it got through various service roads with ease; even in town I had to drive down a street under roadworks, and it was undoubtedly very practical for getting through, while the other vehicles had a harder time. But the Antara has an urban and road-going soul, which is where it performs best.

Already in Galician territory, due to a navigation slip-up (which I’ll tell you about in the equipment section), I drove through wooded areas with branches and tricky grip (very similar to where I took the Renault Koleos), and as long as you drive carefully and stay alert to the terrain, it copes.

In the next part we will talk about exterior and interior design and practicality. The strong points of the Opel Antara.

Photos | David Taboada