Captiva-ting Chevy T

drivers (58 per cent) who believe in karma named tailgating as their main cause of bad karma on the roads, followed by other drivers using a handheld device at the wheel (53 per cent) and cutting someone up (48 per cent).

Speaking on behalf of Direct Line, psychologist Dr Gary Wood, commented: “What happens to us on the road can have a knock-on effect. A bit of courtesy from another driver can make our day. It’s more likely we’ll pay it forward and feel good ourselves in turn.

“It’s a win-win. Karma isn’t about fate - the word just means ‘action’; we’re not at the mercy of the road and can all make a small impact on the stress of motoring. It’s within our control to break the chain or pass it on and something we can extend to all aspects of our lives.”

According to the research, the most common type of damage experienced by drivers is having their car scratched, which happens to a regular driver 1.5 times on average. This is followed by having someone open their door onto your car (1.4 times) and having your car dented (1.3 times).

The study emerges following the brand’s launch of its “Good Carma” campaign, fronted by Dr Wood.

The campaign is part of Direct Line’s new commitment to resetting balance in the motoring world by allowing their customers to retain their No Claim Discount (NCD) if their car is damaged in certain scenarios through no fault of their own. HE Chevrolet Captiva and Vauxhall Antara soft roaders were built in the same factory and came with the same engines and drivetrains. Neither sold particularly well, but the Captiva makes a decent five or seven seat family car that’s well equipped and very good value.

I’m going to concentrate on the facelifted models built from 2013, when a new diesel engine with either manual or automatic gearbox was introduced.

This latest 2.2-litre diesel was available with either 161 or 181bhp and came with lower emissions and better economy.

The lower power output was only available with front wheel drive and had average fuel economy of 44mpg, while the 181bhp models came with fourwheel-drive (4WD) and were capable of 42mpg.

Both engines pull well, but they’re fairly agricultural and the manual gearbox needs time to do the changes.

The front wheel drive model gives 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 117mph while the higher powered unit does the sprint in 9.6 seconds and goes on to 124mph.

They both feel reasonably quick on the road, with decent response and easy cruising.

Smooth roads are no problem to the suspension, but when it is as most of us find every day, with ruts, bumps and potholes, it loses its composure.

And this is worse the further back passengers sit, so that even children would be unlikely to enjoy a long journey in the rearmost seats of the seven seater.

The steering is lacking in feel too, and does not give the driver confidence enough to take corners quickly.

But despite this, it actually corners quite well for a tall vehicle, with good grip despite a fair amount of roll.

All four-wheel drive versions come with electronic stability control, to help in the corners, and hill descent control to help off road.

Front and middle rows of seats have very good head and legroom and although the third row is easy to access the seats are only big enough for up to younger teens.

A high floor means the knees are higher than in most other cars, and the boot is a very good size with the rear seats folded.

Cheapest LS trim comes with height and reach adjustable steering, electric windows all-round, daytime running lights, alloys, air con and a CD stereo with MP3 player and steering wheel controls. There’s also Bluetooth, six airbags and hill start assist.

The LT adds the third row of seats, self-levelling suspension, automatic headlights and wipers, cruise, climate, half-leather upholstery and rear parking sensors.

Top LTZ gets bigger alloys, headlight washers, rear privacy glass, roof rails, all leather upholstery, trip computer and sat nav.

Pay about £6,750 for a ’13 13-reg 2WD LS five seater, or £12,200 for a ’15 15-reg 4WD LTZ seven seat automatic.