HOLDEN’S only current SUV, the Captiva, has been given a Series II makeover that might well cement the brand’s third best-selling vehicle – behind the Commodore and Cruze – as Australia’s top-selling SUV.

Three new powertrains – a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol, 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel and range-topping 3.0-litre petrol V6 – are at the heart of the transformation, aided by new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions and a raft of tweaks to the chassis and styling.

, , More powerful and fuel efficient across the range, the latest Captiva still comes in five-seat Captiva 5 and seven-seat Captiva 7 variants, but with a broader powertrain choice and sharper pricing.

, , But will the changes be sufficient to keep the dual-personality Holden family hauler on its upwards sales trajectory against a growing band of brash newcomers with murder on their minds?