2015 Renault Captur Review: Funky Looks, Sweet To Drive
What's hot: Spunky style, superior comfortable ride, well-featured and fun at the wheel.
What's not: Interior plastics a bit naff, couldn't match fuel consumption claims.
X-FACTOR: Style in buckets, on-road ‘zing' and a surprisingly roomy interior - the Captur is the early surprise of 2015.
Vehicle style: Small SUV Crossover
Price: from $22,990 - $27,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engines/trans:
TCe 90: 66kW/135Nm 0.9 litre 3cyl | 5spd manual
TCe 120: 88kW/190Nm 1.2 litre 4cyl | 6spd twin-clutch EDC auto
Fuel consumption:
TCe 90 listed: 4.9 l/100km | tested: 7.4 l/100km
TCe 120 listed: 5.4 l/100km | tested: 8.2 l/100km
OVERVIEW
No doubt about it, Renault's new Captur crossover SUV is going to win hearts.
Small, upright, and easy on the eye, the Captur has become a bolting global success for Renault since its European launch in 2013.
We've had a two-year wait, but right-hand-drive stocks are apparently strong and this ripe plum has been worth the wait.
Filled with personality, the new Captur is one sweet-driving little SUV. Renault has hatched a good one here.
The two engines on offer, a frugal 0.9 litre and a zesty, also frugal, 1.2 litre, are as impressive in this car as in the equally impressive Clio.
How do such small capacities spin with such balance, and prove so satisfying at the wheel?
Priced right, the Captur is loaded with features - like sat-nav and reversing camera as standard even in the base $22,990 Expression TCe 90.
It's also fun to drive and surprisingly comfortable even on ratty roads.
We found a couple of things that could have been done better, and the coming Mazda CX-3 is going to monster this segment, but you'll be well pleased with your purchase if you settle on a new Captur.
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 3/5