Chevrolet continues to grow its electric vehicle (EV) lineup across global markets, and its newest addition revives a name that many will recognize—the Captiva. However, this isn’t the same Captiva from years past. The new version returns as a fully electric model, tailored for specific international regions. Don't expect to see it in the United States, though. Instead, the new Captiva EV is headed for select markets including Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa—places where compact, budget-friendly EVs are in growing demand.
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The Captiva nameplate originally debuted in the mid-2000s as a compact SUV, sold under different badges across various markets. In countries like Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Southeast Asia, it was known as the Daewoo Winstorm. After the initial model was discontinued, General Motors brought it back in a different form—this time, rebadging the Chinese Baojun 530 for several export markets. Now, the Captiva has undergone its most dramatic transformation yet, re-emerging as a fully electric vehicle based on another Chinese model.
The new Captiva EV is essentially a reworked version of the Wuling Starlight S (also called the Xing Guang S in China). GM's Brazilian branch has shared teaser images and early visuals on social media, revealing that while the overall design remains quite close to the Wuling version, it has been modified slightly to suit Chevrolet’s brand image. These tweaks help integrate the Bowtie badge while retaining the distinctive styling of the original Chinese EV.
Up front, the Captiva EV features slim LED running lights and turn indicators, while the main headlights are set lower on the bumper. Interestingly, the model keeps a prominent black grille, even though it doesn’t require one for cooling like a traditional gas-powered vehicle. This gives the EV a bold, slightly rugged appearance that contrasts with the cleaner, grille-free look of many newer electric models. The rear, on the other hand, looks nearly identical to the Wuling version, sharing the same taillights, tailgate design, and black bumper.
While Chevrolet hasn’t released full technical specifications yet, the Wuling Starlight S offers some insight. That model boasts a driving range of up to 510 kilometers, can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, and supports fast charging that can top the battery from 30% to 80% in about 20 minutes. It's reasonable to expect similar performance figures for the Captiva EV, assuming it shares the same powertrain and battery setup.
Chevrolet has confirmed that the Captiva EV is currently undergoing final homologation testing in Brazil, which includes a wide range of evaluations to ensure the vehicle meets local regulations and standards. Although pricing has not yet been revealed, interested buyers can now register on Chevrolet’s official website to receive updates and express early interest in the vehicle.
Targeted at markets where consumers value practicality, affordability, and fuel efficiency, the Captiva EV is poised to fill a strategic niche in GM's electric lineup. Its absence from the U.S. market suggests that Chevrolet is focusing this particular model on regions where entry-level EVs have more room to grow. For drivers in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, the return of the Captiva as an EV could offer an appealing, modern solution for clean and affordable transportation.