Renault Captur E-tech

Small SUV gets plug-in hybrid option

Plug-in hybrid power nds its way into Renault’s small SUV, promising an electric range of up to 30 miles On sale Now

Price from £30,995

RENAULT HAS BEEN going full tilt down the electrification route in the past few months. We’ve already seen regular hybrid Clio and plug-in hybrid Mégane E-tech hatchbacks, and the latter shares its 1.6-litre petrol engine, pair of electric motors and battery with this new Captur E-tech small SUV.

This combination is good for official fuel economy of 188.3mpg (a figure you’ll see only if you plug in regularly and do mostly short trips) and a zero-emissions range of up to 30 miles. In electric mode, the E-tech feels reasonably punchy around town and can get up to motorway speeds without waking the petrol engine.

When it kicks in, the Captur picks up speed with adequate urgency, although it’s nowhere near as quick as the rival Mini Countryman PHEV and the engine can be raucous under hard acceleration. The automatic gearbox shifts smoothly, but the transition between power sources could be slicker.

Like the regular Captur, the E-tech has a somewhat fidgety ride, but it handles tidily enough, even if it isn’t as good to drive as more conventional small SUVS such as the Ford Puma.

The interior contains a good spread of tactile materials but plenty of harder plastics too. You can’t get an E-tech in a low trim level, so you get lots of kit, including a big, 9.3in infotainment touchscreen.

Rear space is the same as in the regular Captur and the seats still slide for added versatility. However, the boot is quite a bit smaller than its sibling’s (it can hold less than a Ford Fiesta’s), but at least there’s space to store charging cables under the floor.

With a competitive price and a similar electric range to the rival Kia Niro PHEV and Countryman PHEV, the Captur E-tech is worth a look if you’re after a plug-in small SUV. Just don’t expect it to drive as well as a similar-priced hatchback like the Seat Leon e-hybrid.