CAPTURING THE ZEITGEIST

Renault’s refresh of the Captur compact crossover keeps it competitive in a tough sector, writes Steven Chisholm

The first crossover in Renault’s line up, now complimented by the larger Kadjar and Koleos models, and a top seller for the company, the Captur has been given a refresh.

“We enhanced the quality inside the cabin by replacing injection-moulded plastic with trimmed materials, and the choice of colours and fabrics is now more sophisticated,” says Mario Polla Captur Design Project Manager.

Based on the Clio hatchback, but with an injection of that Crossover magic manufacturers are so fond of these days (as far as I can tell it’s a cocktail of steroids, offcuts from the Berghaus factory and a marketing man’s idea of urban cool) the Captur wasn’t a bad looking car to start with.

The interior of the Dynamique S trim car we tested recently was all chunky dials you can still manipulate with your mittens on, bungee chord and neoprene.

The seats have zips around the edges — presumably so you can wash them after jumping in still wearing your wetsuit fresh from riding some sweet waves.

You’ll have to leave your surfboard at the beach though because, while it might look like an SUV from a distance, with something to give it scale the Captur is a compact proposition.

Only 412cm from nose to tail (just 6cm longer than a Clio) it might look at home in the wilderness, but it’s a car designed for the city. And in that environment it excels.

Short as it is, it comfortably sits four adults (five at a squeeze) and the 377 litres litre boot (455 when you factor in the hidden underfloor storage compartment) will swallow up a decentsized load of shopping, school bags and assorted accoutrements.

Quite a bit actually, if you aren’t precious about piling it in and using the full height of the luggage bay.

The 1.2-litre 120bhp engine is very lively and the car has a pleasing amount of power. As you put your foot down to dart through the town to nab the last on-street parking space, you’ll find unbelievably light steering ideal for city manoeuvres.

Of course I would never do something so irresponsible at the wheel of a press office car — but I can confirm you are able to execute a three-point turn in the Captur steering with one finger and less pressure than I use to banish pop-up ads on the ipad.

That light steering doesn’t ever really feel like it stiffens up however and at higher speeds the lack of feedback through the wheel means rural drives are less than involving.

It’s also less refined outside the city and wind and tyre noise were noticeable on the motorway.

Other bugbears include no stereo controls on the steering wheel, Renault stubbornly persisting in hiding them away on a stalk off the steering column like it’s still 1996, and the fact that the bungee chord storage pockets on the seat backs are too tempting for a child not to continually ping on a long journey.

Overall though the Captur is a good little car with competitive pricing and a couple of solid engines on offer.

In terms of equipment our mid-range model came with toys like LED headlamps, automatic folding mirrors, parking sensors, cruise control and sat nav as standard and options including a Bose premium stereo system and a reverse parking camera.

The recent facelift strengthens the family resemblance to the flagship Koleos but keeps the formula which has seen the Captur become one of the biggest selling Crossovers in the European market.

With enthusiasm for crossover-style vehicles showing little sign of abating manufacturers are launching more and more competitors to the Captur.

Renault’s design upgrades and competitive pricing —the Captur starts at just £15,615 — should be enough to keep the Captur competitive in an increasingly contested segment.