Captur a firm European favourite

THE LATEST version of the Renault Captur can only build on the huge sales success the car has been in this country.

Since the model was launched, it has become Renault’s best-selling car here, with its excellent combination of comfort, space and low running costs.

But now the 1.5 diesel engine has been up-dated and improved to produce 110bhp in its most powerful guise, yet still gives excellent economy and very low emissions.

And at the same time the small SUV was given the latest Renault family look, a more luxurious interior and a better connected R-Link communications system.

It’s a swish looking familysize car with raised ride height giving great vision all round and, of course, the higher driving position that so many SUV owners like.

Although none of the models in the range have four wheel drive, it is a real competitor for all the other smaller SUVs on the market, because very few of them have it either.

I drove the mid-range Dynamique S Nav and the amazingly smooth diesel is quiet and refined at all times.

It pulls happily from just above tickover in sixth gear without any sign of a grumble and that’s a feat very few others can match.

It’s not immensely fast, reach 60 from rest in 11 seconds, but it rarely feels short of power out on the road and has no problem keeping up with general speeds on the motorway.

This more powerful diesel gets the Renault six-speed gearbox, with a lovely light gearchange and a very easy clutch.

The ride is excellent at low speeds in town – the bugbear of so many otherwise good cars – and it takes speed humps completely in its stride.

It’s also composed and safe through the corners, without the roll that other SUVs suffer from and, while the steering is a little lacking in feedback, it is precise and its lightness makes parking a breeze.

I managed a real 50mpg and much of that driving was done around town.

The Captur is based on the excellent Clio and so rear legroom and boot space are both very good.

In Dynamique S Nav trim, it obviously has Renault’s very good navigation, with speed camera warnings built-in, an economy driving indicator and a neat binnacle with the digital speedometer inside the rev counter. There’s a leather covered steering wheel, keyless entry and starting, cruise, column stereo controls, climate and a DAB stereo with all the right inputs.

The Captur is a very good