Renault Captur Review

• Mid-2013 Renault Captur launched
• Late-2013 Renault adds 1.5 dCi 90 diesel engine to the range
• October 2014 Range-topping Signature trim introduced
• Spring 2015 a higher-powered diesel engine (dCi 100) joins range
• Spring 2017 Renault reveals the updated Captur
• Summer 2017 Iconic Nav models are launched as a range-topping special edition
• October 2017 A new automatic gearbox is offered with dCi 90 models
• May 2018 Range updated to include only Play, Iconic and GT Line models
• December 2019 Renault reveals pricing and specification for the 2020 Captur
• May 2021 R.S. Line and SE Limited trims added. Both get TCe 90 and TCe 140 engines, R.S. Line gets 160hp PHEV option capable of 188mpg

You get the choice of two engines in the Renault Captur. The first is a pretty unremarkable little petrol engine.

It’s a 1.0-litre turbocharged motor, badged the TCe 90 because it has 90PS. It’s pretty slow, accelerating to 62mph in a leisurely 14.3 seconds. It’ll be fine around town but don’t expect to get anywhere fast on the open road.

We’d recommend stretching to the Renault Captur E-Tech. This is a ‘self-charging’ hybrid that combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce 143PS.

It’s not the slickest hybrid system (look at the Toyota Yaris Cross if that’s what you’re after), but it’s punchy enough.

It can accelerate to 62mph in 10.6 seconds, while Renault says there are 14 possible petrol engine and electric motor combinations during its operation. In truth, it feels a bit like it’s constantly shifting between all 14 combinations. It certainly doesn’t have the refinement of a pure-electric alternative like the Hyundai Kona Electric.

Renault Captur Running Costs

If you’re looking for a small SUV that is be cheap to run, the Renault Captur is a great choice. The Renauly Captur E-Tech is particularly efficient, thanks to its hybrid power - officially it can return up to 60.1mpg. That’s not some pie-in-the-sky figure, either… we actually saw the trip computer showing more than 60.0mpg on our rural road test drive.

The Renault Captur TCe 90 is less efficient but still fairly frugal, officially returning up to 47.9mpg. We suspect this figure will drop in the real world, though - as with most small turbocharged engines, they need working hard to keep up with traffic and that comes at the expense of fuel economy.

Car tax is pretty standardised across the board these days - after the first year, you can expect to pay £190 a year to tax the petrol Renault Captur, or £180 a year for the hybrid.

Renault Captur Comfort and Practicality

Most people buy a small SUV like the Renault Captur because they want a raised seating position and, pleasingly, the Captur delivers on that front. You sit higher than you would in a Ford Puma and that helps visibility and gives the Renault Captur a true ‘big car’ feel.

It’s also surprisingly spacious for a car with relatively compact exterior dimensions. One of its nifty tricks is a bench that slides backwards and forwards, allowing you to decide whether you wish to prioritise boot space or legroom for rear-seat passengers.

With it slid forward, the petrol Renault Captur can carry up to 616 litres of luggage - that’s more than the bigger Nissan Qashqai can manage, but the knees of your rear passengers will be digging into the front seats.

Unfortunately the hybrid model loses some of the space under the boot floor, so it can only accommodate up to 480 litres of luggage.

With the rear bench slid back (where we reckon most buyers will leave it), the petrol Renault Captur can carry 484 litres, while the hybrid model has enough room for just 348 litres of luggage. That’s less than most small SUVs but still a useful amount more than hybrid hatches like the Renault Clio.

Renault Captur Technology

All 2024 Renault Captur models come with a portrait 10.4-inch touchscreen media system which is powered by Google and - on Techno and Esprit Alpine trim levels - provides easy access to Google services (such as Google Maps).

It’s an easy and quick system to navigate, while it also responds to voice commands. If that’s not enough, you can connect your phone wirelessly to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, meaning you can use your favourite apps on the move.

Techno and Esprit Alpine models also come with a smart 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster which is a neat touch and helps bring the cabin up-to-date compared to pre-facelift models. There’s also a wireless phone charger as standard in the centre console.

There are now three trim levels offered in the Renault Captur range: Evolution, Techno and Esprit Alpine.

From launch, the Renault Captur Evolution is priced at £21,095 with the petrol engine, while the hybrid model in Evolution trim is £24,595.

Standard equipment includes:

• 17-inch Ediris alloy wheels
• a shark fin antenna
• dark tinted rear windows and tailgate
• full LED automatic headlights with automatic high/low beam
• automatic windscreen wipers
• rear parking sensors and a rear view camera
• automatic air conditioning with one touch quick demist and air quality regulator
• central console with sliding armrest
• electronic parking brake with auto-hold function
• hands-free keycard and synthetic leather steering wheel

The interior is marked out by its 10.4-inch OpenR Link touchscreen with Arkamys six-speaker audio system and wireless smartphone connectivity, plus a wireless smartphone charger.

The Renault Captur Techno trim starts at £22,795 or £26,295 with hybrid power. It gains:

• 18-inch ‘Black Hole’ alloy wheels
• longitudinal roof bars
• front and side parking sensors
• electrically folding door mirrors
• auto-dimming rear view mirror with light and rain sensor
• modular boot floor and height-adjustable front passenger seat
• MULTI-SENSE driving modes
• 10.25-inch digital driver display and two additional rear USB-C ports.

Topping the range, the hybrid-only Renault Captur Esprit Alpine is priced at £27,995. Spec highlights include:

• 19-inch esprit Alpine 'Elixir' alloy wheels
• two-tone paint with contrasting black roof colour
• front grille with 3D graphics and gloss black window frames
• aluminium sports pedals
• auto-dimming frameless rear view mirror
• flying console for auto transmission
• driver and front passenger seat with electric height adjustment
• heated front seats and heated synthetic leather steering wheel
• sun visor with mirror and light
• adaptive cruise control with speed limiter.

Renault Captur FAQs

Is the Renault Captur bigger than the Clio?

The Renault Captur measures 4239mm long, 2004mm wide (including door mirrors) and 1575mm high. That means it’s slightly longer, wider and taller than a Renault Clio.

Is the Renault Captur better than a Nissan Juke?

The Renault Captur is a direct competitor for the Nissan Juke. They have a lot of similarities and you won’t go wrong buying either. Choosing between them probably comes down to which one you prefer the look of.

How expensive is the Renault Captur?

Prices for a new Renault Captur start from around £21,000. That makes it one of the most affordable small SUVs you can buy.