Driving review: Renault Captur
WHAT IS IT?
Can you believe it; another crossover has hit our shores? Well of course you can, the B SUV segment (in other words, small SUV/Crossover segment) is the fastest growing segment in South Africa.
We first saw the Renault Captur concept at the Geneva Motor Show back in 2011. It then went into production and went on sale in France in April 2013. Since then, the Captur has experienced a very good run. The 2014 European sales stood at 161 000 units, not bad! It was voted Best Small SUV in the 2014 What Car awards and was named Car of the Year in 2013 by the French Association of Automotive Press.
So how will it fair in South Africa? First let’s just clarify what a crossover actually comprises of. If you take the Nissan Juke for instance, it is considered a SUV/Coupe; the Peugeot 3008 is a SUV/MPV. Renault describes the Captur as a SUV/MPV/Hatch. So basically it is a Clio based Crossover, but don’t be mistaken, Renault does not want you to think of it as a sort of “Clio Stepway”, it is more than that. But like most of its competitors in this segment, it is really a jacked-up version of a city car.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
It is an eye-catching car and even more so with the duo-tone roof and body option. Many commented that it looked like a big Opel Adam. I wouldn’t say it is the best looking in the class but it sure is different which means it should hopefully date better than some of the other cars on the roads.
Step inside and you pretty much met with the interior of the Clio. So nothing new or special here, but it is comfortable and does feel far more refined than the Duster. What Renault has nailed is space. There is loads of it. The cabin feels roomy and climb into rear and you will have more than enough legroom. The boot is larger than most of its rivals with a capacity of 377 litres. There is also space beneath the boot level, but that means you only get a space saver as a spare tyre. The rear seats slide 16cm, which again means you won’t go without space!
WHAT DOES IT OFFER?
Two trim levels are on offer, the entry level Expression and the more equipped Dynamic. With the Expression you can expect an array of standard features such as 16-inch alloys, rear park distance control, Eco mode, card unlocking system with hands-free function, electric windows, heated rear screen, climate control, auto door locking, MediaNav with a 7-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, Bluetooth, USB and cruise control.
The handiest optional extra has to be the Zip Collection removable upholstery. Which means if the kids spill something on the seats you just whip the covers off and throw them into the washing machine. A parent’s lifesaver!
HOW DOES IT DRIVE?
Two engines are available: the 66 kW turbo and the 1,2 88 kW turbo. We drove the 88 kW EDC, which is Renault’s automatic transmission. It was underwhelming to say the least. The lag, with the automatic transmission and turbo equally to blame, could potentially cause an accident. If you pull out in to traffic or try and overtake you better hope you have enough spare time for that turbo to kick in. With that said, this six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is fine if you are driving at low speeds, it’s just if you stamp on that accelerator. I would be far happier to have the manual, even if it has less power.
IN CONCLUSION
Pricing of the Captur is where Renault is really ahead of the pack; the entry level unit is almost R20 000 cheaper than the segment leader, the Ford EcoSport 1,0 EcoBoost Trend. If you are looking for a car with hatchback dimensions but with an elevated driving position, practicality, oodles of space and specced to the brim, you cannot go wrong with the entry level Captur which comes in at just under R220 000. It is really great value for money. It also comes standard with a five year/150 00 km warranty and a three year/45 000 km service plan. What a bargain!