Is the new design enough to make the Renault Captur a great small SUV?
Exterior – Front
So, the design at the front is all new compared to the pre facelift Captur. To start with up top we get a new bonnet design which makes the car look more modern. Below this we get a new set of LED headlights that are much thinner than before and have a new sportier design. Connecting the headlights is a new black bar with body colour specs in it making it look like a fake grill. Just below this there is a textured body colour panel again making it look like a grill from an electric car. These panels also house the new Renault logo. Below this we get a new style air vent like what you would see on the Vauxhall Mokka, and this does most of the cooling. Moving lower down we get a new bigger more interesting central air vent with more of a 3d design. On the Esprit Alpine model, we get this black bar on top of the Central air vent, and this connects the side vents together and these side vents house a little air vent as well as a new LED Daytime running light that is coming on all new Renaults moving forward.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side and there aren’t that many changes to talk about apart for some new colours and wheel options, but I am ok with this as the design from the side of the Captur was a decent design as it was simple but modern.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and there is a lot less changes to talk about compared to the front but there is still a few. To start with we get a new set of taillights that now have this clear coat on them just like what the Clio and Arkana has. This makes the car more modern which I do like, and it fits nicely with the new Renault logo on the back. The final change that has been done on the back is that you can now get the Captur badge and trim in a gloss black look. Apart from that, that is about it. Right, lets have a look and see what engine options you can have in the new Renault Captur Facelift.
Car and engine specs and price
So, for the engine options there are 2 versions. Lets start with the base model. This is called TCe 90. This uses a 1 litre 3-cylinder turbo engine that produces 89 bhp. this can do 0-62 in 14.3 seconds, so it isn’t the quickest, but it is the only option that comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox. It is also front wheel drive. The next engine is the E-Tech Full Hybrid version. This uses a 1.6 litre 4-cylinder turbo engine with 143 bhp. this also has an electric motor so at low speeds and cruising you are using electric power saving fuel and giving you a combined 60.1 mpg which is quite good for this type of car and engine. This can only be had with a 6 speed Automatic, but it is front wheel drive. The price of the new Renault Captur starts at £21,095. Lets have a look and see what the interior is like.
Interior – Design
So, getting inside the new Renault Captur Facelift and the interior has been improved over the old model. To start with on the dashboard, we get a new infotainment system that is different from the Renault Clio. To start with it fully runs Android Automotive and has a similar layout to other new generation Renaults. This makes the new Renault feel more modern but gives you access to the Google Assistant as well as the Google Play Store and Google Maps which is very nice. What this also means is that we don’t get physical climate control dials like we did before. they are now on the screen, but they can be controlled mostly by the toggle switches. Where the toggle switches were is now a little cubby hole for your phone which is good. The instrument cluster is also new and has a new set of graphics in them which look better than before. Finally, the steering wheel has got a slight update with the new Renault Logo and some added extra buttons for the new Infotainment system. Apart from some new stitching and some new seats on the Esprit Alpine model there isn’t much to talk about. We do get some new materials though which does make the cabin feel slightly more premium. lets have a look and see what the interior is like.
Practicality
So, climbing in the back of the new Captur facelift and it isn’t that bad. You just about get enough legroom in the back as well as headroom but there aren’t that many comforts in the back. For example, you don’t get a rear arm rest or heated rear seats. You do get your own air vents though as well as 2 USB C rear ports and a 12-volt charger. The materials do feel a bit cheap in the back though which is a shame. Right lets have a look and see what the boot space is like.
Boot Size
So, opening the boot and you are welcomed with 422 litres of boot space which is quite decent in terms of its rivals but one party trick the Renault Captur has is that if you slide the seat forward you can unlock 536 litres. But this does mean that you do compromise on legroom. Folding the seats down and you get 1,275 litres of space which is good too.
Summary
So, in summary then what do I think of the new Renault Captur Facelift. Well, the updates that this car has received have made it into a decent car and has made the car feel modern and to be honest is possibly a better starting point from the Clio. The only issue I have with this car, and it is nothing to do with this car at all is that there is another model. This is called the Renault Symbioz, and this is based on the Captur but is bigger and does rival the Nissan Qashqai, but it makes me think that all the updates that the Captur received was to make the Symbioz. Which car is better. Well, I will be reviewing the Symbioz soon but at the moment I would say if you wanted a small affordable family SUV that will be reliable then this will be the one to go for.
Exterior 5/5
Interior 4/5
Practicality 3/5
Total 12/15
Model | Renault Captur Esprit Alpine E-Tech Full Hybrid |
Engine | 1.6l Turbo, 143bhp, 0-62 = 10.6 Seconds, Front Wheel Drive |
Transmission | 6 Speed Automatic |
Price | £28,095 |
On Sale | Now |
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