CAP CODE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_renaultcaptur_2020

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 74

Renault's little Captur Crossover model matured nicely in this smarter second generation guise. It's now a little bigger 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.

Modelsword count: 15

5dr SUV (1.0 TCe 100/1.3 TCE 130/1.5 dCi /1.6 Hybrid 145 /1.6 Hybrid 160 PHEV)

Historyword count: 362

It seems a long time ago now that the Renault Captur first arrived on the scene, launched in 2013 to replace the unloved Modus small MPV. The original version of this little crossover was the development of stylist Laurens van den Ackers 'Captur concept' car of two years earlier. That motor show prototype had carbon-fibre bodywork, huge 21-inch wheels and butterfly-action doors, but of course the production version was a lot less revolutionary, though still a trend-setter in a small SUV segment that in those days had little to offer other than the rather divisive Nissan Juke. As we all know, the small crossover sector has exploded in size since - to Renault's considerable benefit. Over 1.5 million examples of the original Captur were sold, with a far-reaching facelift along the way in 2017. Notably, in its final year production (2018), it was even more popular than in the first, in that last 12 months outselling its Juke cousin in Europe by 5-to-1. Renault knew though, that the party wouldn't last without a considerable design upgrade, which is what brought us this second generation model in 2019. It shared its new CMF-B platform with both the fifth generation Renault Clio supermini and the MK2 model version of its cousin and close rival, the Nissan Juke. That new chassis not only allowed this Captur to grow in size, but also provided for the provision of electrification - a plug-in hybrid variant was slotted in at the top of the range, pioneering that technology in this segment. A self-charging Hybrid followed. Most customers selected between more conventional variants though, all of which featured a much more sophisticated and higher quality cabin, with stronger standards of safety and media connectivity. Families valued the fact that the useful sliding rear bench was retained - which in 2019 was still a relatively unusual feature in this class. The diesel version sold until 2021 when it was effectively replaced by the self-charging full-Hybrid petrol 145 variant. The PHEV version was discontinued in our market in 2023. The Captur range was substantially facelifted in Summer 2024; it's the pre-facelift 2019-2024 versions of the MK2 model we look at here.

What You Getword count: 550

This second generation model's predecessor offered a template for the way a Crossover of this kind should look. That was one of the first cars in the sector for instance, to feature the styling device designers call a 'floating roof'. This was retained here of course, as part of a car that became significantly bigger, 110mm longer, 19mm wider and 17mm taller than before. Arguably, even more changed from a frontal perspective. Full-LED headlights were standard and look particular striking when on a top model, they're surrounded by Renault's trademark C-shaped daytime running light signature. At the rear, the flush-fitting hatch has slim LED tail lights intended to emphasise body width, with C-shaped illuminating 3D signatures. At the wheel, it's certainly a big step forward from what was offered before, that slight whiff of second class citizenship delivered by the cabin of the previous Captur well and truly banished in the MK2 version. In favour of soft-touch trimming, tactile touch-points and a distinctly Audi-esque feel to parts of this completely revitalised design, particularly the circular ventilation dials that sit mid-way down the centre stack. Smart piano key switches feature just above, plus various satin-finished silver embellishments and the redesigned, more enveloping seats both also play their part in helping to push this car a little more up-market. This cabin still lacks the sheer solidity of a Volkswagen Group product in this segment, but jump out of a Ford Puma or perhaps something Korean from this period into one of these and you might feel like you'd been upgraded to Business Class. Various screens help of course with the whole more sophisticated demeanour, particularly the central 'EasyLink' portrait display, available in either 7-inch or 9.3-inch forms. You can also view another screen through the re-designed three-spoke steering wheel. Plusher variants get a 7-inch TFT configurable instrument display which, at the top of the range, could be upgraded to a wider 10-inch monitor. It actually feels very decently spacious in the back by class standards, rear legroom improved by 17mm, thanks in part to re-designed front seats that also feature curiously angled comma-shaped headrests, apparently designed to improve frontward visibility for rear occupants. The original Captur was the first car in the class to offer a sliding rear bench, a feature that by 2020 had been copied in the small SUV segment only by the Volkswagen T-Cross, and it's still one of the things we think family folk will like most about this Renault. Cargo space increased by a useful 81-litres to as much as 536-litres - though that's with the rear bench slid all the way forward, crushing adult knees against the front seatbacks. A useful lower pull lever allows you to yank it back and with the bench pulled right towards you, the boot space figure falls to 422-litres - still pretty reasonable by class standards. Unlike in a Clio, you get an adjustable-height boot floor, so this is at least a really flexible space; set this luggage board in its lowest position and there's room for really quite tall items. This Captur gets the usual 60:40-split rear seat back which, when pushed forward, frees up 1,275-litres of capacity across an almost-flat load floor of 1.57m - 110mm more than the previous model could offer. It's 1,118-litres in the PHEV.

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