CAP THAT (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_renaultcaptur_2024

By Jonathan Crouch

The second generation version of Renault's Captur small SUV gets a fresh lease of life in this updated form. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 80

Renault's little Captur crossover model has matured nicely with this smart update of the second generation design. It's now a little more visually arresting but as before, is a Clio-based design offering super-economical engines, some genuinely clever interior touches and no small dose of style. It'll appeal to supermini buyers wanting extra versatility as well as family hatchback customers in search of something more interesting and affordable. And it's the kind of car that'll certainly drive sales in this segment.

Backgroundword count: 173

New cars don't come much more important to Renault than this one, the Captur. To be completely accurate, this isn't actually a 'new' car but a heavily facelifted version of the second generation Captur design we first saw back in 2020. It's one of the European sales leaders in the popular SUV B-segment for supermini-based small crossovers. So as before, it's essentially a more versatile version of the French brand's little Clio hatch and sits on the same CMF-B platform, also shared by a close B-segment SUV rival, the Nissan Juke. Whereas the Juke has been quite subtly updated for its mid-term wash-and-brush-up, this Captur gets a package of significantly more far-reaching changes, both inside and out. And the result is the most visually arresting Captur we've seen since a concept version of the successful first generation design was shown back in 2011, two years before the start of production. The idea is to widen this Captur's appeal - maybe even enough to take in the Juke crowd. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 287

Mid-term updates don't usually come with significant engineering or handling changes but in this case, Renault has tried to improve the rather forgettable handling characteristics of the original version of this second generation design. So the steering's been recalibrated for improved response and control. And the steering geometry and shock absorbers have been modified for what the brand believes is a 'more dynamic ride'; see what you think. There are no engine changes in the petrol-only line-up (diesel was banished long before this facelift). So this Captur range still kicks off with a 1.0-litre turbocharged three cylinder TCe 90hp unit only available mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. It develops 160Nm of torque and makes 62mph in 14.3s en route to 104mph. Ideally though, you'd stretch to the alternative auto-only full-Hybrid drivetrain - of the self charging sort; there's no longer a PHEV Captur. That remaining self-charging non-plug-in 'E-tech Hybrid 145' powertrain is what we tried and, as before, mates a 1.6-litre four cylinder engine with a couple of electric motors, one to drive the front wheels, the other to act as a starter generator to fire up the engine. The e-motors are energised by a tiny 1.2kWh battery, which can power the car alone for short distances in urban traffic. And via a new 'E-SAVE' function, you can save battery charge for later in your journey if you want to. The whole confection still isn't particularly smooth or refined, the steering's quite light and the auto gearbox isn't particularly eager to kick down. But total system output is a competitive 145hp and 62mph occupies 10.6s en route to 106mph. There are four 'Multi Sense' driving modes provided - 'Eco', 'Sport', 'Comfort' and the configurable 'Perso' setting.

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