First shown at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Renault's Captur (pronounced 'capture') crossover concept was an emphatic showcase of the exciting things to come from the French carmaker.
Built on the same platform as the Clio compact hatchback, but with an extended wheelbase (almost 30mm longer) and raised chassis (it sits 140mm taller than the current Clio RS), the Captur is the automotive equivalent of the skinny kid in school who had a growth spurt over the holidays.
Although 0.9-litre and 1.2-litre petrol variants of Renault's first-ever urban crossover are available overseas, the local Capturs currently only come with Renault's 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine. Exterior
In the looks department, the Captur has benefitted from French flair in its design. This is exhibited very clearly here, in a car designed with utility in mind - ferrying the kids to school, making the grocery run, or tripping to and from work.
Similar to how cross-fit exercises help build an athletic a lean and mean appearance without compromising on genteel looks, the Captur’s sleek, dynamic profile and curved haunches give it a stylishly active appearance.
Built on the same platform as the Clio compact hatchback, but with an extended wheelbase (almost 30mm longer) and raised chassis (it sits 140mm taller than the current Clio RS), the Captur is the automotive equivalent of the skinny kid in school who had a growth spurt over the holidays.
Although 0.9-litre and 1.2-litre petrol variants of Renault's first-ever urban crossover are available overseas, the local Capturs currently only come with Renault's 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine. Exterior
In the looks department, the Captur has benefitted from French flair in its design. This is exhibited very clearly here, in a car designed with utility in mind - ferrying the kids to school, making the grocery run, or tripping to and from work.
Similar to how cross-fit exercises help build an athletic a lean and mean appearance without compromising on genteel looks, the Captur’s sleek, dynamic profile and curved haunches give it a stylishly active appearance.
Further augmenting the car's active personality and ability to tread off onto not-so-well-paved roads, is a distinctive gloss black grille design with a large Renault logo on point (a feature of Renault's new design language), large 17-inch dual-tone alloys and protective bumpers.
Looking dull isn't default for a car designed for utilitarian intents. With a dual-tone paintwork of Arizona Orange body and Ivory roof, our test car attracted many admiring glances from fellow motorists during our test drive.
While single-tone colours are also available, local Renault dealer Wearnes Automotive opted to make the full range of two-tone colour options available for a greater degree of customisation to increase the car's appeal.
Looking dull isn't default for a car designed for utilitarian intents. With a dual-tone paintwork of Arizona Orange body and Ivory roof, our test car attracted many admiring glances from fellow motorists during our test drive.
While single-tone colours are also available, local Renault dealer Wearnes Automotive opted to make the full range of two-tone colour options available for a greater degree of customisation to increase the car's appeal.
Interior
On the inside, the Captur boasts a very simple but cosy interior. The car sits four comfortably, and five with a bit of a squeeze (depending on the girth of the fifth passenger). Hard plastics may line the dashboard, but unless you're the sort who crave soft-touch finishes found in other European mass market car brands like Volkswagen, it's hardly noticeable.
What you will appreciate is the dashboard's clean, intuitive layout. Renault's R-Link multimedia system sits centrally, allowing you - with light taps to the 7.0-inch touchscreen - to bring up the drive economy tracker, GPS and even a pollution gauge that automatically activates the air-conditioning's air-recycling feature when outside pollution levels climb.
Other functions like speed limiter, cruise control and ignition systems can be easily button-activated - a definite advantage over fiddling with stalks behind the steering wheel. The Captur's keyless entry system automatically locks the door whenever you walk away from the car - a useful feature especially for drivers like this writer who often forgets if he's locked the car upon exit.
On the inside, the Captur boasts a very simple but cosy interior. The car sits four comfortably, and five with a bit of a squeeze (depending on the girth of the fifth passenger). Hard plastics may line the dashboard, but unless you're the sort who crave soft-touch finishes found in other European mass market car brands like Volkswagen, it's hardly noticeable.
What you will appreciate is the dashboard's clean, intuitive layout. Renault's R-Link multimedia system sits centrally, allowing you - with light taps to the 7.0-inch touchscreen - to bring up the drive economy tracker, GPS and even a pollution gauge that automatically activates the air-conditioning's air-recycling feature when outside pollution levels climb.
Other functions like speed limiter, cruise control and ignition systems can be easily button-activated - a definite advantage over fiddling with stalks behind the steering wheel. The Captur's keyless entry system automatically locks the door whenever you walk away from the car - a useful feature especially for drivers like this writer who often forgets if he's locked the car upon exit.
With functionality being one of the Captur's strongest suits, Renault's designers have equipped the car with washable fabric seats that fit just like permanent upholstery. Removing and reattaching the covers are as easy as working the zipper on your jacket.
The real surprise, however, is right at the back. Despite the Captur's modest size, the boot alone can accommodate 377 to 455 litres of space, depending on how you configure the stowage. Springing the rear bench forward could free up some addition cargo space, but should you need more real estate for bulker items, folding the rear seats extends cargo capacity to 1,235 litres.
The real surprise, however, is right at the back. Despite the Captur's modest size, the boot alone can accommodate 377 to 455 litres of space, depending on how you configure the stowage. Springing the rear bench forward could free up some addition cargo space, but should you need more real estate for bulker items, folding the rear seats extends cargo capacity to 1,235 litres.
The Drive
Moving the Captur along is Renault's 1.5-litre dCi 90 turbodiesel engine that is paired with its six-speed EDC dual-clutch gearbox. With just 88bhp and 220Nm of torque available in the bank, the Captur may be a languid starter that gets from 0 to 100km/h in 13.5 seconds, but it does feel sprightly.
Coax it gently to cruising speed and the car handles very neatly in the city, with its compact size making it a breeze to handle along tight narrow city roads. While its size does make it nifty in the carpark, the engine struggles to prevent roll-back when moving off steep carpark ramps.
While the Captur takes imperfections on the road in its stride, it is mainly a soft-roader intended for pottering about in the city. Taking it around corners at speed does come across as unsettling with body roll. Go off the gravel track and you'll feel the suspension, front-wheel drive and 88bhp struggle to keep up.
However, keep the car on paved roads and you'd be rewarded with exceptional fuel economy. Despite the 180-odd kilometres driven during this test drive, the fuel gauge hardly registered a dip. Drive the Captur with a more fuel efficient intent, and you may well achieve the published fuel economy figure of 25.6km/L.Conclusion
Based on its looks alone, the Renault Captur will sway many to-buy-or-not-buy decisions in its favour. Consider its exceptional fuel economy, practicality, and ease of use, and the Captur becomes quite hard to walk away from.
Plus, factor in the slew of additional premium features like adaptive fog lamps (they light up in the direction you're turning), automatic headlamps and wipers, and its $127,999 (as of 7th Nov 2014) price tag shows excellent value for money.
Quite rarely does a car actually speak for itself this way.
Based on its looks alone, the Renault Captur will sway many to-buy-or-not-buy decisions in its favour. Consider its exceptional fuel economy, practicality, and ease of use, and the Captur becomes quite hard to walk away from.
Plus, factor in the slew of additional premium features like adaptive fog lamps (they light up in the direction you're turning), automatic headlamps and wipers, and its $127,999 (as of 7th Nov 2014) price tag shows excellent value for money.
Quite rarely does a car actually speak for itself this way.
