Over the last few years it has become the best selling urban crossover model or compact suv with 1.5 million sold in 90 countries around the world.
The Captur range extends to over 20 models with choices of diesel or petrol engines, manual or automatic transmissions, in five trim levels.
In the UK it’s not been seen as the leader in its field but those who have bought them know it’s a very good package, well priced and particularly well equipped as well as comfortable. It’s eschewed sportiness for softness, speed for subtlety.
Although the price range is officially from £15,300 to £23,405 it must be said that there’s probably room to negotiate with a new Captur series coming next year and stock to clear. Just because it’s being replaced doesn’t mean it’s no good and in fact it could be a very good buy.
Our version was one of the most popular in the series with its reasonably powerful petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox in the mid-range trim level.
The £800 options on the test car simply comprised flame red metallic paint and a space saver spare wheel.
The trend towards triple cylinder engines continues with the Captur and it was generally adequate when used by the driver alone but its lack of capacity showed as more people or load were included and it struggled on some hilly routes when more downchanges were needed.
The long travel yet light clutch and direct five-speed gearchange made it easy to encourage along, but at times I wished for an extra gear or an additional cylinder.
Most of the time it was quiet, composed and unstressed but pushed to perform it sounded hard worked, rough and strained.
Somehow the fuel economy remained good. We did see over 50mpg at times but it settled to an overall in the mid-40s, which was reasonable.
The brakes were up to the task underfoot, applying smoothly and powerfully without much effort from the driver, and the handbrake worked on our regular steep test hill.
Behind the wheel it was not a great communicator with a dead feel ahead and little more when turning, but it was light and the compact turning circle was ideal for car destined to spend many miles in urban use.
On open roads the handling was good, predictable and safe, with a tendency to run wide on some bends and it really absorbed the worst potholes without too much complaint or shocks. What the suspension missed, the seats soaked up very well and with their wrap-around bolsters and wide adjustment range they were a highlight of the test.
Access was good throughout, particularly infront, and room adequate while in the back it was naturally more restricted. The boot was fairly good with the rear seats used and much better when they folded with good storage room throughout.
Visibility was very good with a low waistline, big windows, good wipers and fairly good headlights, supported by parking sensors and reversing camera, as well as big door mirrors.
For the driver the secondary controls were well marked, placed and operated easily and smoothly, bolstered by simple, clear instruments.
Sadly, the infotainment screen was on the small side compared to rivals and while it covered a lot of functions and worked with mobile phone apps they all looked squashed in the display on the centre console.
The comfort in the car extended to the heating and ventilation, the air conditioning was straightforward, well distributed and had strong output while not being intrusively noisy.
The Captur is the sort of car which settles into a family and is not demanding or troublesome but there to be used, enjoyed and fulfills many roles at modest cost.
That must add up to a lot for many drivers.
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[accordion title=”FAST FACTS – Renault Captur GT TCe90″ load=”hide”]Price: £18,730 (as tested £19,530)
Mechanical: 90hp 3-cyl 900cc turbo-petrol, 5sp manual
Max Speed: 106mph
0-62mph: 13.1sec
Combined MPG: 44
Insurance Group: 9E
C02 emissions: 122g/km
Bik rating: 28%, £170FY, £145SR
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles
Sizes: L4.13m, W1.78m, H1.57m
Bootspace: 455-1235 litres
Kerb: 1173kg[/accordion]
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Reasons to buy
- Very comfortable, economical, fairly roomy, good ride, reasonably well equipped.
Against
- Struggled when loaded, needed extra gear to reduce noise, modest performance, small bootspace and info-screen.
