Renault Captur 88 kw Turbo Dynamique

Sharpened styling and softer innards mark the Captur’s midlife update

IT’S difficult to believe that the Captur has just undergone its mid-cycle refresh. Those four years – two of which have seen more than 6 000 units sold in the local market – seem to have passed in a flash. And, while the popularity of this appealing and largely capable light crossover is well founded, the ever-present issue of affordability, not to mention some criticism surrounding the erratic dual-clutch transmission that’s been the staple of the halo Dynamique 88 kw model, have been sticking points.

With the refresh, Renault has addressed these issues, introducing a more affordable entry-level model and giving customers who are in the market for a petrolengined Dynamique a manualequipped alternative.

Externally, the updates include C-shaped elements for the daytime lights and brakelamps, revisions to the grille and bumpers, as well as new alloy-wheel designs and paint schemes.

The interior retains its modular seating/load-space arrangement and ushers in material improvements in the shape of more premium plastic trim on the upper cabin surfaces, a restyle of the steering wheel and gearknob, and new seats.

The addition of a manual Dynamique is a welcome one. Where the temperamental auto ‘box dulled the 88 kw’s responses, the new five-speeder allows you to extract the best from the 1,2-litre, which is especially useful when overtaking.

Mechanically, nothing has changed, nor did it need to; the decently supple ride, good body control and light-but-not-lifeless controls remain, as does the extensive list of standard features on the Dynamique model, which incorporates parking sensors, electric windows, auto headlamps and wipers, Bluetooth, cruise control and sat-nav.

While the changes may be small, they are spot-on in terms of addressing customers’ demands and should help further the Captur’s appeal.