Renault Captur first drive review

The baby SUVs just keep arriving.

Ironically, the latest newborn in the booming sector, the Renault Captur, has popped-out about nine months later than the French brand's initial due date, but it brings another fresh face with new ideas to the gaggle of high-riding urban runabouts introduced over the last 18 months.

Like its rivals, the Captur is essentially a jacked-up version of a regular city car with a three-model range that largely mirrors the mainstream Clio hatch on which it is based in terms of mechanical components and equipment.

With prices starting at $22,990 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-level Expression powered by a 0.9-litre turbo three-cylinder and reaching $27,990 (plus on-roads) for the range-topping Dynamique with a 1.2-litre turbo four-cylinder, the Captur commands around a $3000 premium over similarly-specced Clios. A mid-spec Expression powered by the 1.2-litre slots in between the bookends at $25,990 (plus on-roads).

While the Captur uses the same lightweight underpinnings as the Clio, with ground clearance increased to 163mm, it has an all-new body that liberates marginally more interior space by being 60mm longer overall than its hatchback sibling but one that also tips the scales with an additional 100kg in overall weight.

But the Captur isn't alone in charging more for its extra height and functionality and falls right into the thick of the action of the burgeoning class, not far above the entry prices for rivals such as the Ford Ecosport, Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008 and below the Holden Trax and Mitsubishi ASX.

As for equipment, all Capturs are fitted with a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, sat nav and climate control as standard, with the Expression models riding on 16-inch alloys while the Dynamique has larger 17-inch wheels as well as additional chrome highlights on the exterior and within the cabin, privacy glass, cornering fog lights, removable washable seat covers and the option of a two-tone paint job at no extra cost. There are also a host of colourful cosmetic upgrades to tailor the car's character to personal tastes.

All Captur models are covered by a five-year warranty with free roadside assistance and a capped price servicing scheme with 12-month intervals costing $299 for the first three years.

What they don't have, though, is any form of airbag coverage for rear seat occupants with the French brand clearing a loophole to claim its five-star EuroNCAP crash rating is the result of the car's inherent strength.

Despite that, and like the Clio with which it shares its DNA, our first local drive of the Captur this week in and around Melbourne showcased it is a charming little machine to drive – even at its most basic specification.

The 66kW/135Nm three-cylinder won't win any green light grands prix and needs to be worked hard to scythe through city traffic – with a claimed ability to sprint from 0-100km/h in 13 seconds – but it revs smoothly, doesn't feel strained even at high engine speeds and is relatively quiet under heavy acceleration. At the other end of the driving spectrum, it will happily cruise at highway speeds in top gear and only steep inclines will necessitate the need to shift back through the light five-speed manual transmission.

With a claimed average consumption of 4.9L/100km, the base Captur is among the most efficient of the new baby SUVs, but that may be a bit optimistic in reality.

The 1.2-litre turbo four, which produces 88kW and 190Nm and sips a claimed average of 5.4L/100km, feels a lot more energetic around town and also more effortless at cruising speeds with a good spread of useable power across its rev range that is easily accessed by its intuitive six-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The heavier engine also brings slightly softer suspension settings, which in turn gives the range-topping models a slightly more relaxed way of dealing with road irregularities despite the entry-level model riding on smaller wheels. It's not a huge difference, or a deal breaker, as the three-pot Expression still steered confidently through the bends, but the added comfort, convenience of the auto and extra power of the four-cylinder is more than enough to justify the premium.

With the exception of minor trim details, the cabin is largely the same in both grades with a good driving position thanks to height and reach adjustment in the steering, decent all-round vision and comfortable front seats with good headroom.

The zip-off seat covers might be handy after a big night out or long trip with the kids, but they might also become a bit of a novelty and have the potential to look ratty if they stretch over time.

With the rear seat able to slide fore-and-aft by 163mm, there is adequate legroom in the back for adults to sit comfortably on the flat bench for short distances but headroom is limited. More than that, it also creates a flexible degree of boot space with, including its separate underfloor storage compartment, the ability to increase from a respectable 377L to a capacious 455L.

As it is in the Clio, there are some odd ergonomics elements in the Captur's cockpit such as its column-mounted audio control stalk, tiny cupholders and awkward-shaped storage bins, but the multi-media touch screen is simple to use and the instruments are clear to read. Although the splashes of colour in the console surround and air vents, as well as the dimpled dash top, add some fashion, the majority of plastics feel hard to touch and prone to scratching.

Right now, though, the Captur isn't without its shortcomings for young families – especially air bag coverage for rear occupants – but it does bring a slightly fresh take on the baby SUV formula for young urbanites; where its rivals seem to have shrunk the soft-roader and consciously trade on a perceived notion of ruggedness, Renault has simply taken the new-found flair of the Clio and given it a set of high heels. Which is no bad thing…

Nuts and Bolts

Renault Captur

Price: from $22,990 (plus on-roads)

Engine: 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbo / 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol

Power: 66kW at 5250rpm / 88kW at 4900rpm

Torque: 135Nm at 2500rpm / 190Nm at 2000rpm

Transmission: 5-spd manual; 6-spd dual-clutch automatic; FWD

Consumption: 4.9L/100km / 5.4L/100km