The Renault Captur has been one of the founders of the compact SUV segment since 2013. The car was not literally the first in this segment, but it is listed as the model that made the compact long-legged commonplace on European roads.
The model is also a success in the Netherlands, because since its launch Renault has managed to sell around 8,000 units in our country every year. Based on those figures, a replacement was not even necessary, but staying with the lesson is also vital for Renault. The car is clearly recognizable as Captur, but at the same time is a lot more mature than the previous model. This is not only due to the modern light units and the tighter front, but also because the body has gained a few centimeters in length and width. There is more news inside, where the Captur naturally has a dashboard that is almost identical to that of the new Clio. This means that huge jumps have also been made in the higher model. Where the dashboard of the first Captur was not exactly his strong point, it is emphatically in the new one. The design is playful, but not forced. Thanks to the large-scale use of soft materials and beautiful aluminum, the quality feeling is perfectly fine. The special “bridge” on the center console, modern automatic control and the large screen also provide a modern atmosphere, although not everything is standard. The 9.3-inch touchscreen is part of the Edition One version tested here and reacts quickly to touch.
Backseat
There is also little to criticize in terms of design and layout, especially for a car in the higher B segment, it is all good for each other. Renault has even put some effort into unnecessary but fun jokes, such as the option to choose what kind of car drives over the navigation map and mood lighting that can be set in no less than eight colors. The screens color, so that there is always a coherent whole. “Screens”, indeed, because the central touchscreen can be combined with a fully digital and configurable 10-inch instrumentation if desired. Our test car has to do with a 7-inch model. That is also nice, but only offers a limited opportunity to arrange things yourself. The “island” on which the automatic control is located, is nicely within reach and also provides several layers of storage space. The fact that the “drawer” that serves as glovebox has been transferred from the previous Captur also contributes to the practical ease of use. That is an important aspect of the Captur, which from now on at Renault must also be an alternative to the disappearing Clio Estate. When it comes to luggage space, the car can’t quite manage that. With 355 to 1,235 liters, everything remains strikingly old in that respect, so that the Captur still has to recognize its superior in such an Estate. The Renault also has to cope with the competitors presented here, although it does not make a difference. All three cars have a sliding rear seat, but the Captur is the only one that can also be operated from the luggage compartment. With the bench in the rear position, there is nothing to complain about legroom, but the headroom for taller people is a pain point.
EDC machine
The automatic Captur does not have a three-cylinder in the front, but a commonly used 1.3 that delivers 131 or 155 hp. There does not seem to be much reason to opt for the latter, because the four-cylinder is also very nice in its least powerful form. The block hangs fine on the gas, is comfortable to hear and powerful enough to drag the Captur from 0 to 100 in less than 10 seconds. It is striking that the power delivery is not always linear. At low speeds, it seems to need a while, so the car sometimes reacts differently than expected. The EDC machine, a dual-clutch gearbox, does its job neatly. He is not the fastest of his kind, but chooses his shift moments carefully and knows how to finish them shock-free. Steering is also pleasant. The Captur reacts remarkably directly to input from the driver, but does not go that far that it becomes restless. Something similar applies to the chassis. That shows well what is happening and manages to keep the relatively high Captur nice and flat in a quickly taken corner. The downside of this is a relatively strong suspension, which is simply necessary to help a car with this body shape to a healthy dose of dynamics. You have to love that, but fortunately the Captur is not hard or uncomfortable.
The Captur Edition One costs € 31,590 and that’s quite an amount. It should be noted that the car is nice and stuff for that money. For example, the most comprehensive multimedia and audio system, LED lighting and 18-inch alloy are standard. However, real luxury is lacking, such as leather and heated seats, which must be diverted to the top version Initiale Paris. Due to its color scheme and a package with some driving and parking aids, our test sample comes to € 33,655.