Renault Captur review

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The Renault Captur is a small and stylish SUV that punches above its weight in all the key areas. Dan Powell reviews the latest model.

Ten Second Review

The Renault Captur is an accomplished small SUV that’s good to drive, keenly priced and well-equipped as standard. It also offers impressive boot space and low running costs, which makes the Captur a strong alternative to the Ford Puma, Vauxhall Mokka and Skoda Kamiq.

Background

Renault has a proven track record when it comes to creating small cars with mass appeal. Based on the Clio, the first generation Captur jump-started the small SUV segment when it first went on sale in 2013, with buyers loving its SUV-like practicality and low running costs.

Fast forward 10+ years and small SUVs are one of the UK’s most popular types of car, which means the Captur has stiff competition from Ford, Skoda and Vauxhall.

Renault renewed the Captur in 2020 with the launch of the second-generation model, which provides more space and better comfort than its predecessor. 

A significant model update in 2024 improved things further, with the Captur getting rugged exterior styling, lower running costs and a Google-powered OpenR Link infotainment system.

As with the first-generation model, the Captur continues to be based on the Clio hatchback and is keenly priced against its small SUV rivals. 

Driving Experience

The Captur is one of Renault's best-selling cars and it doesn't take long behind the wheel to work out why this small SUV is so popular. 

Good to drive, comfortable and packed with useful tech, the Captur combines the running costs and road handling of a small hatchback with the space and practicality of a family-friendly SUV.

The steering is light and accurate, which makes the Captur easy to drive around town. However, as you build speed and move on to the open road, you get more feedback, and this makes it easy to unlock the vehicle's grippy front-wheel drive handling when tackling a twisty A or B road.

The Captur was launched in 2020 with three petrol engines and two diesels. The petrol line-up included the three-cylinder 1.0-litre TCe with a six-speed manual gearbox along with a four-cylinder 1.3-litre TCe powerplant with 140PS - also only offered in six-speed manual form.

The 1.5-litre diesel was available with 95 or 115PS but was dropped from the line-up due to the declining demand for diesel cars.

A plug-in hybrid was added to the line-up in 2020. The E-Tech auto model uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine and has a couple of electric motors powered by a 9.8kWh battery and a multi-mode direct-transmission auto gearbox. Renault claims the plug-in hybrid can cover 31 miles on pure electricity.

The Captur received a comprehensive update in 2024, with the powertrain choices streamlined to two choices, a turbocharged three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol and a four-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol self-charging hybrid.

The 1.6 hybrid is the best for fuel economy, with Renault claiming 60mpg. It is also the best to drive around town, with the electric motor and battery powering the Captur in complete silence at low speeds. 

Design and Build

The second generation Captur is a rugged and stylish small SUV that majors on space, comfort and practicality.

One of the big selling point is the sliding rear seats, which makes it easy to optimise boot space or rear passenger legroom. Slide the rear seats forward and you can get an impressive 616 litres of storage, which puts the Captur on par with some of its larger SUV rivals. However, if you choose the hybrid model, it is important to note that boot space drops by 136 litres to accommodate the battery and electric motors.

The Captur will carry five adults and there is a good level of head and legroom across both rows of seats. The seats have firm cushioning and this provides lots of back and upper leg support for long trips.

The elevated driving position provides an excellent view of the road. What’s more, since its mid-life 2024 update, most versions of the Captur are now fitted with Renault’s excellent OpenR Link infotainment system, which is powered by Google and operated via a vertical 10.4-inch screen. You also get access to Google Maps and a number of smart apps, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

All versions (since the 2024 update) get rear parking sensors as standard, along with a rear-view camera. Mid-spec models add a digital dashboard cluster, with a 10.2-inch screen replacing the traditional instrument dials behind the steering wheel. The screen is easy to read during the day or at night and features an array of personalisation options that allow you to customise the layout.

Market and Model

Prices for the Renault Captur start in the region of £21,000 for the entry-level model and climb to £28,000 for the range topping version with the petrol hybrid powertrain.

There are three trim levels to choose from: evolution, techno and esprit Alpine. Standard equipment for all models since the 2024 update includes alloy wheels, LED front and rear lights, rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, heated door mirrors, touchscreen infotainment and cruise control.

The mid-spec techno model adds 18-inch alloy wheels, roof bars, front and side parking sensors, 10.4-inch OpenR Link touchscreen with built-in Google services (that includes navigation), 10.25-inch digital driver display and two rear USB-C ports.

esprit Alpine is the halo model of the Captur line-up, adding two-tone paint with contrasting roof colour, esprit Alpine interior styling, aluminium sports pedals, heated front seats, heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise control.

Cost of Ownership

The Renault Captur undercuts its rivals on price and offers low running costs, with the 1.6 E-Tech hybrid 145 returning an advertised 60.1mpg and 105-107g/km of CO2. That’s significantly better than the 1.0 TCe 90 petrol, which returns an official 47.1-47.9mpg and up to 135g/km.

For ultimate frugality, you could search for a used Captur with the 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 powertrain, which offers a 31 mile electrified driving range and 217.3mpg and up to 30g/km of CO2.

Diesel engines have long since been dropped from the Captur line-up, but used car buyers can find older models with Renault’s 1.5 dCi diesel engine with 95PS or 115PS - both versions return an official 58.9mpg.

Summary

Practical and stylish, the Renault Captur is a small SUV that majors on space and value. All versions are well-equipped as standard, while the large boot and comfortable cabin make it a cheaper alternative to its larger and pricier rivals.

Following its 2024 mid-life update, the Captur feels much more accomplished with a slick Google-powered infotainment system and lots of high-quality cabin materials. If you want a capable and compact SUV that won’t break the bank then the Captur could be the car for you.