RENAULT CAPTUR
Capture the crossover market
The refreshed Renault Captur has maintained its edge in an increasingly crowded compact crossover segment, especially with the unusual but striking two-tone colour scheme offered on the Dynamique model.
Raised ground clearance now stands at 170 mm, and the seating position has been elevated, while skid plates protect the front and rear bumpers.
THE INSIDE STORY
The interior is welcoming with supportive seats (heating optional but standard on Dynamique), lots of storage options and a soft-touch dashboard and leather-covered steering wheel. Rear park sensors, electric windows, auto headlamps, auto windscreen wipers, as well as cruise control and cornering lights make life that much easier. Dynamique models feature a useful integrated Medianav touchscreen tablet, which I found to be particularly helpful and accurate when navigating in the sticks.
THE POWER
Three turbo engines are on offer, starting with the 66 kW three-cylinder (898 cc), which was surprisingly nippy and was able to cruise all day at 120 km/h while sipping fuel at a rate of 5.4 litres/100 km. The other petrol version on offer, the 1.2-litre four-cylinder develops an effective 88 kW and shares identical fuel consumption figures with its three-cylinder sibling.
The best-kept secret, however, is the 1.5 turbodiesel which, although only rated at 66 kW, produces 220 Nm of torque, has terrific acceleration for its size, and sips fuel at a miserly 3.6 litres/100 km (claimed). This is the one, in my view, which will have buyers queuing – with the prospect on much better figures than the 146 sold in August this year.
Buyers may choose between either six-speed manual and six-speed automatic gearboxes.
THE RIDE
Traditionally, French cars have supple and comfortable suspension setups, and the new Captur, whether in Blaze or Dynamique configuration, is a wellbuilt vehicle that maintains this tradition. The Spanish-built cars remained rattlefree and completely dustproof, another significant advantage for those living in rural areas.
SAFETY
Hill start assist on all models may be regarded as a safety feature, as will the multiple (four) airbags, Isofix child seat anchor points, as well as anti-whiplash headrests. The Captur’s five-star EuroNCAP rating is the result of ABS brakes with EBA (emergency brake assist), and an electronic stability programme to avoid possible loss of control in slippery conditions.
LAST WORD
There are very few, if any, vehicles as competitively priced as the new Renault Captur range. The warranty – threeyear/150,000 km as well as the threeyear/45,000 km service plan - makes the Captur (any model) a real bargain. Service intervals have been set at every 15,000 kilometres or once a year.
With prices starting at R229,900 for the 66 kW Blaze, and the 1.5 turbo diesel at R294,900, the range tops out at R309,900 for the 88 kW Dynamique with its super-efficient EDC automatic gearbox.