Much revised Renault Captur builds on latest Clio platform

Working to a more evolutionary than revolutionary ethos, reports Iain Robertson, Renault’s highly popular Captur continues its customer captivating process with a raft of satisfying design, engineering and detail changes that go deeper than expected.

It has only been seven years since the Captur first charmed its way into our motoring consciousness. Yet, it has been a seven-year cycle that has witnessed immense change, not least from Renault’s virtually uncontested place in the compact crossover market segment, to one populated by over twenty rivals. Renault recognised that whatever changes it wrought on Captur would need to be comprehensive but also avoid rocking the boat.



The original Captur was liked straight out of the box because it majored on a readily lost comfort remit. It was as if Renault had stepped back into its past to rediscover its traditional suspension and dynamic prowess and, fortunately, even using the latest Clio model underpinnings that have hoisted that important car onto a new, higher level, it has been uber-keen to retain the best aspects.



Externally, the new Captur introduces itself with the ‘new style’ daytime running lamp, ‘big-C’ signature, a design element carried into the swoopier tail-lamp units that now reach across the hatchback to provide an impression of greater width. However, you need to park the latest model alongside the original to note that the similarities are truly scant, the new car is much larger. It is a judicious decision, as the original Captur was loved as much for its looks as anything else.



The Clio platform gifts the new model a vastly roomier interior and its is gratifying to notice that the trim quality has also taken a significant upgrade, which is all but identical to the latest Clio and much appreciated. Soft-touch trim abounds and, dependent on model level, it benefits from splashes of colour on dash, door cards and centre console. While digital instrumentation, using a 10.0-inch display, is now a great value £250 option, the dashboard of top versions is dominated by the 9.3-inch touchscreen that includes sat-nav and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (the standard offering is a 7.0-inch screen).



Cabin space has been optimised and, apart from beneficial adjustments for the vastly improved driving position, it is load practicality that has taken a massive leap into the space race. The rear bench can slide fore and aft to create a maximum of 516-litres of boot space (albeit with no legroom in the rear, although this is better for securing either a cot, or children’s seats). Regardless, it is flexibility that counts in this class and Captur possesses it in abundance.



The test car features the latest 1.3-litre turbo-petrol unit that propels new Clio. Developing a cool 128bhp, when driving through a 6-speed manual gearbox, it can clock the 0-60mph dash in around 10.3s, with a top speed of around 121mph. It can also return 44.1mpg, while emitting 127g/km CO2. It drives supremely well and handles with tremendous fluency thanks to shedding some excess baggage, while increasing overall body rigidity.

MSG Summary

The original Captur was already a ‘silk purse’, so you will read no ‘sow’s ear’ references here. Renault has made an excellent car into a really great one, with prices starting from mid-£15k, ranging to £22k pre-discount.

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