Renault Captur 1.3T Privilege TCe (A) Review

Space, versatility, comfort and a high-seating position are some of the highlights that would-be crossover owners look out for. The Renault Captur offers them all, along with a design that reminds us of its hatchback sibling, the Clio.

After all, it does sit on the same Renault CMF-B platform that underpins the Clio. Along with its spicy looks, could the Captur encapsulate both the practicality of a crossover and the driving dynamics of a nimble hatch?

Is hot crossover a thing?

If you can't tell, the Captur is an all new car. Much longer than before, it also features design changes that offer it a sportier look.

This includes the new head lights that feature the signature C-shaped LED daytime running lights and decorative wing markers reminiscent of our favourite, sizzling hot Megane RS.

And looks isn't just all that the hot bits offer. The air deflectors beneath the front bumper also keep turbulence at bay, resulting in aerodynamic improvements while reinforcing its athletic demeanour.

These are all additions to make for a spicier alternative to mundane crossover offerings. But does it drive as hot as it looks?

A dash of pepper

Toggle the Captur into sport mode, give that go pedal a firm press and you'll soon find yourself held against the backrest with quite abit of a shove. It isn't ghost pepper hot, but hot enough for most drivers.

You see, the 1.3-litre turbocharged engine in the Captur produces 128bhp and a healthy 240Nm of torque, and is mated to a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

With a kerb weight of just 1,259kg, the result is a sprightly drive that will surprise drivers who are used to the idea of mundane crossovers.

The Captur's sporty characteristics continue to show through its precise and communicative steering. Enter a corner enthusiastically and you'll feel the steering weight up, keeping you in the loop with the tyres' limits.

And despite its lofty ride height, the Captur exhibits excellent body control. In fact, I found myself exploring the limits of grip well before body roll got too excessive.

Even if tyre-squealing antics aren't up your alley, you'll still enjoy the Captur. Set it to ECO mode and the Captur settles down comfortably, offering a relaxed drive with earlier gear changes for better fuel economy.

A balanced dish

On the go, you'll still notice some road and wind noise at highway speeds, but it's never to the point of being intrusive.

The Captur also manages to offer a relatively well-damped ride. Uncharacteristic of a raised crossover, the suspension somehow manages to tune out most of the ruts and uneven surfaces on our roads.

More impressively, not only is it easy to place on the road, the Captur also offers a spacious interior for four full-grown adults in comfort, along with a boot space that can be expanded to a cavernous 536 litres.

This is possible due to some clever engineering - the Captur features a sliding rear bench that allows the boot space to increase whenever necessary.

Well-seasoned

While traditionally, ride quality and insulation make up the lion's share in ride comfort, modern drivers expect to be pampered with amenities for the complete experience.

The Captur delivers in that regard. There's a total of two 12V sockets and four USB ports to keep all devices juiced. Renault also equipped the Captur Privilège that was tested here with a large 9.3-inch portrait infotainment system along with a 10.25-inch digital instrumental cluster with three customisable displays.

While the infotainment system isn't the smoothest, it is easy to use, looks amazing, and packs all the features you need - Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and a built-in navigation system.

The rest of the interior further accentuates Renault's effort in making the Captur an enjoyable car to be in. Precisely milled satin chrome bits and pieces of trim can be found throughout the interior, tipping the indicator stalks, surrounding the electronic shifter as well as the climate control dials.

The perfect meal

While spicier than your average crossover, the Captur doesn't simply toss practicality in the back seat. You can easily fit a small family in comfort, along with luggage for a road trip and still get a fun energetic drive out of it.

Indeed, this Renault has managed to Captur just the right balance of versatility and driving dynamics.

Need to see that sliding rear bench in action? Then don't miss our video review of the Renault Captur right here!