Renault Captur range refreshed and revised
French crossover undergoes minor styling tweaks, new base model added
RENAULT has given its Captur compact crossover a mild facelift, and adjusted the range with a cheaper new entrylevel derivative and a new gearbox choice in the top model.
Updates to the exterior are subtle to say the least, but new C-shaped LED light signatures at the front are the easiest way to differentiate old from new. All versions from the base model up now get self-levelling LED headlights as standard equipment. Alloy wheel designs in both 16 and 17” sizes (depending on spec level) are also new, as are front and rear skid plates and a fixed glass roof option in range toppers.
Two new colours (Atacama orange and Ocean blue) have also been added, and in upper models the paint scheme can be enhanced with fresh combinations of twotone roof and body hues.
Things are also much the same inside, but a softer-touch material is now used at the top of the dashboard and door panels, the steering wheel’s been changed for a slightly smaller one, and gear levers have been swopped for the same ones used in the Megane.
There are also some new satin chrome trims, and top models add a centre flip-down armrest/storage binnacle.
The big news, however, is that the previous entry-level Expression derivative has been ditched for a new Blaze model that’s a full 20 grand cheaper. The Captur Blaze makes do with a regular air conditioning system instead of the outgoing Expression’s fancy climate control, while fog lights and rear parking sensors have also been deleted to keep costs down.
But it’s the infotainment system where most savings have been unlocked, as the Blaze features a much simpler monochrome radio unit in place of the old Expression’s MediaNav colour touchscreen. This basic system comes with Bluetooth connectivity and two USB ports, but can be expanded with a new R&Go cradle which clips into the centre fascia and uses your smartphone as a second display. This interface then works for music selection, navigation, telephony and eco driving menus, but, some of its functionality will rely on your phone’s data to work.
Even in its semi-stripped down state, the Blaze is well specced with cruise control, electric windows all around, hands-free key cards, adjustable rear seats, steering controls, auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers all included as standard equipment. Impressively, there’s no compromise on safety levels in this bottommost model, which gets the same ABS brakes with Emergency Brake Assist function, stability control and four airbags as the upper Dynamique models. All Capturs are rated with 5-star Euro Ncap scores.
Dynamique derivatives will, as before, serve as the feature-rich range toppers and still include the same MediaNav touchscreens, climate control, parking sensors and fog lights (with cornering function). Heated leather seats and the fixed glass roof mentioned above are the only options.
The previous Captur’s three engine choices remain, starting with a 66kW/135Nm 898cc three-cylinder turbo. This unit can be had in either Blaze or Dynamique trim, but a more powerful 1.2-litre turbo (88kW/190Nm), and a torquey little 1.5 turbodiesel with 66kW and 220Nm come in Dynamique guise only.
Gearbox options also carry on as before, with the Blaze and 1.5dCi fitted with five speed manuals exclusively. The 1.2T also gets the same EDC dual-clutch autobox as previously, but it’s now also available with a six-speed manual for the first time.
PRICES: 0.9T Blaze - R229 000 0.9T Dynamique - R269 000 1.2T Dynamique - R294 900 1.2T Dynamique EDC - R309 900 1.5 dCi Dynamique - R294 900
All Renault models come with 5-year/150 000km warranties and 3-year/45 000km service plans.