The Captur is another iconic car from the French giants who still have plenty of 'Va Va Voom'.
Crossover cars are fast becoming a popular choice for drivers who want the look and feel of a large sports utility vehicle (SUV) without the bulkiness they are associated with.
A new breed of car, the Renault Captur is a refreshing example.
The Captur’s bold design certainly turn heads on the high street. Coupled with low running costs, this French beauty appeals to a wide range of motorists.
But is it a worthy purchase? DESIblitz gets into the driving seat to test drive the Renault Captur 1.5 dCi 90.
Exterior
With 24 striking colour range combinations (check out ‘Arizona’ orange), 3 trim packs (Arizona, Manhattan, Miami), and the option of a duo-toned roof and ‘Chrome Pack’, owners can customise the Captur to their heart’s content.
The stylish shape of the car makes a strong defining statement whilst keeping with looks typical of a SUV with its wide front grill and big 17” wheels.
The sleek contours glide inwards and upwards to widen again towards the rear, projecting the image of height and spaciousness.
Practicality too comes in the shape of optional running boards, tinted windows, and quick release towbar.
As Renault Sales Executive David Wyllie explains:
“The Captur is very popular among those with families as well as motorists finishing their leases with larger cars like the Nissan Juke and Kia Sportage.”
He goes on to add: “The engine is basically the same as the Clio, so it’s just a case of style and practicality between the two.”
The roof decals remain the same as the original concept car to offer a cool touch.
Interior
Again, even within the cabin, personalisation is at the top of Renault’s agenda.
The colours of the interior trim can be matched to the exterior. Stylish ‘Touch Packs’ allow drivers to configure detail on the steering wheel, seat upholstery and chrome trim to suit.
The French car manufacturer has ergonomically designed the Captur to be family friendly with a simple and practical focus.
There is plenty of headroom in the back to continue the compact SUV feel. The ‘roomy’ design will also make sure children don’t feel claustrophobic on long journeys.
The 455 litre boot space trumps rivals like the Nissan Juke and Ford Eco-Sport for storage which is another key advantage.
Much of the trim is made of hard plastic which may not have that premium feel, but caters perfectly for parents with ‘messy’ kids.
The elevated driving position will give you a driving experience of being in a larger vehicle like a Honda C-RV or a Hyundai Santa Fe.
The all important touchscreen multimedia system stands out in the centre of the control panel to give the cabin a modern vibe.
It boasts Renault’s robust satellite navigation system which can be upgraded to Tom Tom, music streaming, hands-free telephone communication, Bluetooth, as well as a number of downloadable apps from the R-Link store.
Performance vs Efficiency
The Energy Dci model DESIblitz reviewed had light steering making it nippy enough to zip around city roads with 200 Nm of torque output.
Just like its sister car, the Renault Clio, the Captur promises a very smooth ride on the motorway so you can enjoy a peaceful journey.
The car has also managed to maximise its 90bhp to feel like it has a lot more to offer through the use of a three cylinder turbocharged engine.
Emitting only 95g CO2/km to qualify for free road tax and outputting 74.3 miles per gallon (mpg), the Captur is a thoroughly cost saving vehicle all round.
Other engine models are also economical with respectful consumption figures.
Renault has also adopted what they call ECO mode. This ‘adjusts acceleration, torque and horsepower management, climate control and heating, to ensure a smoother journey with longer accelerations’. As a result, it promises ‘improved fuel savings’.
Further efficiency is created with Stop and Start technology and thermo-management to control the engine temperature.
Energy Smart Management (ESM) recovers energy on deceleration via the alternator which recharges the battery to power functionality like air conditioning, headlights and power steering.
Renault claims their EDC dual-clutch automatic gearbox generates further efficiency and energy consumption over the standard manual transmission.
The entry level model ‘Captur Expression+’ begins at £14,295 with the higher specification ‘Captur Signature Nav’ priced around £20,795.
The Captur is another iconic car from the French giants who still have plenty of ‘Va Va Voom’ following on from the ever so famous Renault Clio.
The Captur will not be for everyone, but it will strongly appeal to a number of demographics such as parents with 2.4 children, SUV owners looking to downsize and supermini owners looking to up-size.
Renault really has produced a crossover with flamboyance and low running cost efficiencies.
This twin effect makes this a car to scare rivals from a number of class types so hats off to Renault for well and truly hotting up the competition!