CAPTUR THE MARKET (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 102

Renault's little Captur small SUV model aims to deliver a blend of the character and ruggedness of a Crossover, the space and practicality of an MPV and the dynamics and driving refinement of a family hatchback. That's asking a lot, but this Clio-based design delivers plenty, with super-economical engines, some genuinely clever interior touches and no small dose of style. This improved version of the original first generation design was launched in 2017 to allow this model line to continue to appeal to supermini buyers wanting extra versatility, as well as family hatchback customers in search of something more interesting and affordable.

Modelsword count: 17

5dr SUV (1.2 TCe petrol / 1.5 dCi diesel) [Play, Dynamique Nav, Dynamique Nav S, Signature X])

Historyword count: 267

If you're a volume brand these days, you simply have to offer a 'B'-segment supermini-based Crossover SUV. Here's the one that in the second half of the 21st century's second decade, they all had to beat: Renault's Captur. In response to mounting competition, it was improved in 2017 to create the facelifted model we're going to look at here. At the launch of this updated MK1 Captur, Renault were keen for us to know that the front end styling had been brought into line with that of the brand's larger Kadjar and Koleos SUVs, while inside, there were better seats, a new steering wheel and a smarter dash. There was also more electronic technology to please typical Captur customers. For older folk, things like blind spot monitoring and a self-parking set-up were offered. And for younger buyers? Well for them, there was an improved R-Link infotainment package offering 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. And the option of a thumping BOSE premium sound system. All of that's important, but it wasn't especially significant. There were, after all, no mechanical changes or fundamental design alterations made as part of the 2017 update. With this facelfted model, not much needed fixing, which is why not that much was fixed. That spoke of well-founded confidence; in 2017, the Captur was, after all, Europe's best selling B-segment SUV. This model's strengths were always its stylish, personalisable looks, its spacious, flexible interior and its economical running costs, attributes that remain as attractive as ever in this improved model on the used market. This car sold until the launch of the MK2 Captur in early 2020.

What You Getword count: 474

This little Crossover shares much with the Nissan Juke that was launched back in 2010, the car that kick-started the SUV B segment. This Captur didn't make its debut until 2013, but was an instant hit and today regularly out-sells its Renault Nissan Alliance design stablemate. Interestingly, it also frequently out-sells the conventional Clio supermini it's based on, specifically the fundamentals here being borrowed from the Continental MK4 Clio Sports Tourer Estate that's never been offered in our market. The styling's certainly a great deal more eye-catching than any Clio, especially at the front where on this facelifted model, C-shaped LED lights feature as part of headlamp clusters that original buyers could specify to incorporate full-LED 'Pure Vision' beams. Behind the wheel, you get the all-important raised seating set-up that Crossover buyers like so much, the Captur positioning you 10cm higher than you would be in the Clio supermini it's based upon. Look around and if you happen to be familiar with this car in its original form, you should notice the classier ambiance of this facelifted model with upgraded materials and better standards of fit and finish from the Spanish factory. For this facelift, Renault focused on the areas you more frequently touch and interact with, hence the smarter steering wheel, the higher quality dash plastics, the revised gearstick and the re-styled door panels which feature a more intuitive switchgear layout. The dash features an overtly confident chrome-surrounded instrument cluster dominated by the kind of digital speedo that not everyone will like. Equally eye-catching, if specified, is the consumer electronic-fest that dominates the silver and gloss black-trimmed centre console in the form of a tablet-like display that is the 7-inch 'R-Link' colour touchscreen. Inside, the stretching that's taken place on the Clio supermini platform has released enough space to make the back seat pretty much as roomy as it would be in a Focus-sized family hatch. All variants get a pretty unique feature in this class, a sliding rear bench that moves backwards or forwards by up to 160mm (though only as one unit), enabling you to prioritise either legroom or boot space. The position of this bench is obviously going to make a big difference to the amount of space you get in the boot. Raise the rear hatch when the back seat is set for maximum legroom and there's a 377-litre capacity on offer - 77-litres more than you'd get in a Clio and about the same as you'd find in a Golf family hatch. Position the seat to completely prioritise luggage space though and much more room can be freed up. Push forward the 60/40 split-folding rear seat and you'll find that it doesn't quite lie fully flat but in this position, you do get access to up to 1,235-litres of total fresh air if you load to the roof.

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