Opel Antara

Opel's Theta-platform SUV

GM developed the Theta platform for a family of SUVs, and the Antara was Opel's version, positioned as a sportier five-seater next to the seven-seat Chevrolet Captiva. It sat above the later Opel Mokka and, after a gap, was succeeded in spirit by the Grandland X in September 2017. Opel's range is in the Opel catalogue, and one of its most important earlier cars, the Kadett, is covered in the Opel Kadett story.

Design and the 2010 facelift

The Antara has a muscular body with pronounced wheel arches, high window line, roof rails and air vents behind the front wheels. Opel announced the facelift in November 2010. It brought a revised front end with a new grille with chrome bars, new headlights and fog lamps, new rear lights and bumper, a new Opel badge, LED indicators in the mirrors and 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, a new centre console, an electric parking brake and hill-start assistance became standard, and the 2.2 CDTi replaced the 2.0 diesel to meet Euro 5.

Antara petrol and CDTi engines

According to factory data, the facelifted 2.4 petrol reaches 100 km/h in 10.3–11 seconds and 175–185 km/h, using about 9.1–9.3 L/100 km. The 3.0 V6 takes 8.6 seconds and reaches 198 km/h with about 10.9 L/100 km, while the 2.2 diesels take 9.9–10.1 seconds, reach 188–191 km/h and use about 6.6–7.8 L/100 km.

All-wheel drive and chassis

On AWD versions, an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch normally sends the torque to the front wheels and can split it up to 50:50 between the axles when they slip. Ground clearance is about 200 mm, enough for gravel roads and snow, but the Antara is not a true off-roader.

The Antara has MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear axle. Steering is rack and pinion with hydraulic assistance, and the brakes are discs with ventilated fronts, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution.

Antara size and luggage space

Cabin, Enjoy and Cosmo versions

The facelifted cabin has a sporty multifunction steering wheel, soft-touch plastics, better fit and finish and improved sound insulation. Removing the handbrake lever freed space for storage between the front seats. The driver's seat adjusts in all directions, and rear passengers have good knee room. The load floor is flat when the seats are folded.

Typical versions were Enjoy and Cosmo. The Enjoy with the 2.4 petrol had front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, stability control, climate control, electric windows front and rear, heated front seats, an MP3 audio system and 17-inch wheels. The Cosmo added xenon headlights with washers, 18-inch alloys, a heated windscreen, cruise control and a trip computer, and top versions offered leather upholstery and a touchscreen navigation system.

Safety structure and systems

Opel's safety package included ABS, ESP stability control, cornering brake control, active rollover protection and descent control. The body uses high-strength steel for 37% of its weight, with a reinforced cabin frame, strengthened front doors, side members at the rear and a fuel tank ahead of the rear axle. Crash boxes at the front and rear absorb low-speed impacts and reduce repair costs. Front and side airbags, curtain airbags, belt pretensioners and ISOFIX mounts are standard. In the US, the related 2008 Saturn Vue was an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Rivals: how the Antara compares

The Antara competed with the Kia Sportage, Ford Kuga, Volkswagen Tiguan, Hyundai ix35/Santa Fe, Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV4. It offered a comfortable ride, roomy cabin and strong diesel engines, but it was heavy, and the petrol versions were thirsty.