2016 Holden Captiva revealed: Captiva 5 gone, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in

Early next year, Holden will consolidate its mid-sized and large SUV pair, with the Captiva 5 to be retired in favour of a new five- and seven-seat strategy for the model currently known as the Captiva 7.

Full details - and pricing - are still to come, although Holden has confirmed that buyers with a preference for a fixed five-seat layout will be able to choose from manual- and automatic-transmission options in the entry-level Captiva LS.

All other variants, through to the top-shelf LTZ pictured here, will be a strictly seven-seat and automatic transmission affair.

The 2016 model year upgrade will bring not only a shift in seating options, but also a final facelift for the Captiva 7 and some key new infotainment features in the form of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

As our earlier spy photos suggested, the Captiva has picked up a new front-end makeover that brings the large SUV in-line with Holden’s core family offerings, the Commodore and the small Cruze.

That includes a more defined dual-port grille layout, re-shaped headlights with integrated LED daytime lamps and large new fog-light bezels.

Body-coloured wheel arch and bottom sill cladding make up the bulk of the changes along the profile, while rear-end styling is unchanged. The LTZ model shown here rides on 19-inch alloy wheels.

In the cabin, there’s a new dash that gives the ageing Captiva (nee 7) a cleaner and more modern look, with a gloss black finish to the redesigned centre stack and a bold new satin silver trim running end-to-end. A new steering wheel is also featured.

In the centre of the dash rests perhaps the most important aspect of the Captiva’s interior makeover, with the 7.0-inch display now upgraded to connect with the new Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mobile phone connectivity systems.

READ: CarPlay news, Android Auto news

“Captiva’s new MyLink system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone projection technology is a class leading infotainment system allowing customers complete control in their car,” said Holden electrical group engineering manager, Joe Sawyer.

“Using the systems 7-inch colour touch screen, steering wheel controls and voice command technology, customers are able to send, read and reply to text messages and calls, access music and navigate using Apple/Google maps effortlessly.”

The updated Captiva goes on sale early in the first quarter of 2016, with full details and pricing to be revealed closer to launch.

An all-new replacement for the nearly 10 year-old Captiva should surface in the next couple of years, with the Buick Envision - pictured below - standing out as a potential starter.

With Ford’s sharp Edge SUV expected to replace the Territory in the near future, Holden will be looking for a stylish option to play against the blue oval camp and other rivals.

For now, Holden remains quiet on its plans beyond the current Captiva and next year’s update.

The Captiva 7 has been a strong offering for Holden in 2015, with sharp pricing contributing to a solid 8847 year-to-date sales to the end of October (November figures still to come).

The Territory was on 8366 at the same point, while the Toyota Kluger performed slightly better with 8999 sales. The Grand Cherokee remains favourite with 14,297 sales, followed by the Toyota Prado's 13,615.

The Captiva 5 has not fared as well, with its 4884 sales outclassed by most key rivals, including the Cherokee (5741), Sportage (6427), CR-V (7101) and Outlander (8732). The Mazda CX-5 is miles ahead with 21,050 sales, followed by the RAV4 with 15,467 sales and the X-Trail with 14,512.

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