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The fastest growing brands, globally, are those that produced fashionable, quality goods and retained them at reasonable price-points.

For me, Renault is the car brand most in tune with this thinking. They’ve targeted the youth with their trendy designs, packing them with desirable technology and selling them at prices that won’t have you in debt for a decade.

Compact, capable and versatile, Renault’s Captur is everything mentioned above and friendly to boot. Launched in 2015, I originally reviewed the entry-level 66kW Expression model, which in November was priced at R220 000.00. Two years later, the Captur has been facelifted – to enhance an already holistic motoring package.

On trend, the Captur is a raised compact hatch, appropriately categorised as a “Crossover”. Riding high, and now with some tweezed eyebrows (light cluster design) and a cheeky rear-end (light cluster design). Although my description is playful, there’s a new prominent redesigned upper grille with finely-chromed edging, full LED Lights and C-shaped daytime running lights. These enhancements assert the Captur’s looks both while it is parked or when in motion.

The sassy character of the Captur is highlighted with additional contemporary colours. A fashionable look isn’t complete without the right pair of kickers. In the case of the Captur, the kickers are striking new 17” Black & Chrome Alloy wheels that complete the look. I personally enjoy the impact of the two-tone bodywork, which is standard on the Dynamique models. It accentuates the alluring curves of the Captur.

 

Open the Captur, and you’ll find a warm inviting environment. There’s a new leather steering wheel and optional heated leather seats (available on Dynamique Models). Touching the materials within the cabin leaves the impression of quality. Added to the package are more supportive seats that ensure maximum driving comfort. Additional improvements include a discreet satin chrome trim, a new continuous-shaped soft-touch dashboard and interior panels, a newly-designed gear lever, new multipurpose central storage options plus an innovative new front row seat centre armrest with a useful storage facility exclusive to Dynamique Models, elevating the overall driving comfort and convenience factor.

 

Not short on tech, the Dynamique model comes with a Media and Navigation integrated touchscreen, Hill-Start Assist and even keyless entry. Other smart features such as rear park sensors, auto headlamps with auto windscreen wipers, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control & speed limiter, and cornering headlamps add to the Captur’s value proposition.

 

Driven by three power plants, two petrol, one diesel and all turbocharged. Formula 1

technology infused in their creation combines driving pleasure with fuel economy - the 66kW Turbo engine, 1.2-litre 88kW Manual and EDC Turbo power plants, and 1.5 dCi Diesel engine, yielding class-leading fuel consumption from only 3.6 litres/100km. These are Renault’s figures. My week spent with the 1.2-litre model driving 285km, predominantly in the urban city, yielded a figure closer to 10 litres/100km.

 

Although the 1.2-litre engine has a sporting pedigree, it isn’t without flaws – initial pull-offs expose the engines flat spot. Once on the go, with the rev range between 2 - 4500 rpm lies an abundance of torque (pulling power) for acceleration and overtaking. 0 to 100 km/h dashes can be reached in about 10 seconds. I enjoyed the short, slick-shifting manual gearbox – a standard across the range unless you opt for the EDC automatic on the top of the range model.

 

The ride is supple without being a wobbly pushover – meaning comfy and handles brisk cornering in its stride. It does feature a raised ride height, being a crossover, but this isn’t a 4 x 4. Adventure awaits as long as it isn’t straight up a rugged mountain. You’d be better off in a Land Rover Defender for such things.

The Captur is a happy, zippy and trendy car. It is priced right – offering good value for money. If you like it, go for it. It isn’t perfect but almost.

 

Plus +

  • Trendy design.
  • Useful raised ground clearance.
  • Good levels of standard specifications.

 

Minus –

  • Turbo lag on pull off from the 1.2 model.

 

The competition

Fiat 500X, Ford EcoSport, KIA Soul, Mazda CX-3, Nissan Juke, Mokka X, Peugeot 2008 and Toyota C-HR.

 

The pricing

Captur 66kW Blaze R229 900

Captur 66kW Dynamique R269 900

Captur 1.5 dCi Dynamique R294 900

Captur 88kW Dynamique R294 900

Captur 88kW EDC Dynamique R309 900

 

Service and warranty

As is the case across Renault’s entire product range, the New Captur comes standard with a

5-year/150 000km mechanical warranty; plus, a 3-year/45 000km service plan and a 6-year

anti-corrosion warranty, with service intervals at 15 000km/1 year.

 

My Choice

Captur 66kW Blaze R229 900

www.renault.co.za

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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