Renault Captur 66kW 1.5 dCi Dynamique - Plush, Practical and Pretty

By Ane Theron

The compact SUV-segment is splitting at the seams - it feels like no-one is asking ‘which sedan should I buy’ anymore, but rather, ‘which crossover offers the best value for money these days?’. Used car prices reflect this tendency towards city slickers on stilts, as SUVs are holding their value much better than any family saloon might.

This particular compact crossover is none other than the cleverly disguised Clio in CrossFit clothes, namely the stylish Renault Captur. It underwent a subtle facelift just before spring last year, and has been responsible for a large portion of sales in this segment. And with good reason - Renault is known for stuffing their cars chock-full of tech, safety kit and convenience features, as well as the frugality of their ‘low-inertia, F1-inspired’ turbocharged engines.

With its precisely sculpted body dressed in two-tone Atacama Orange/Black attire, the Capture is hard to miss in the schoolyard parking lot. New C-shaped daytime running lamps, skid plates and diamond cut alloys (17-inch) add even more outdoorsy attitude, while the full LED-headlamps do a brilliant job of alleviating night-blindness.

I tested the above mentioned 1.5-litre diesel Dynamique variant, priced at R304 900.

The cabin

Inside the Captur, it feels upmarket, youthful and lively, without being overpowering in the least. Pod-like dials and gauges with smatterings of silver and glossy black surfaces lend an air of sophistication. In Dynamique trim, the Captur gets Renault’s user-friendly 7-inch MediaNav system, with standard Satnav, Bluetooth and audio streaming. The centre armrest (which can be folded away) features a hidden cubby to store smaller items like a phone or wallet. Fingertip controls behind the steering wheel is a feature on every Renault, and I can’t say that I’m mad about it, but one does get used to it. A keycard with a start button is still the way you access your Captur, and the car will lock itself as you walk away from it.

Our Dynamique variant was specced with black leather seats but washable Zip Collection covers can be had as standard. The driver’s seat isn’t particularly supportive, but my lower back is usually prone to getting numb on long journeys.

Room in the back is generous - those practical French designers made sure to add a sliding function to the rear bench. Depending on whether you need extra leg room or extra storage space, it can be moved by up to 16 cm. The 337-litre boot features a false bottom which can be removed, creating even more space (up to 455 litres) to pack your groceries or gear. Seats can be folded completely flat and the removable boot ‘shelf’ is also reversible. Turn it upside down and you’ll find its surface to be anti-slip.

Out on the road

A nicely elevated driving position makes for great visibility to the front, but the narrow rear window and wide C-pillar restrict one’s view quite a bit. Rear parking sensors are standard, but  a rearview camera would have been more helpful.

The Captur’s pliant suspension and chunkier 55-profile tyres are ideal for our poorly maintained roads, and the Captur hardly noticed the severe speed-bumps en route to school. Its hatchback underpinnings are evident in its secure handling over mountain passes, but a touch of body roll combined with vague-ish steering remind you of its raised height and off-road aspirations. The Captur isn’t meant to be driven like a hot hatch, and is more about the journey than the destination. There’s no real lack of power, should you cog down in time. The diesel Captur is issued with a smooth 6-speed manual transmission.

The 66kW/220Nm 1.5-litre diesel engine is a superstar when it comes to fuel economy, though. Using no more at 6 litres per 100 km in town and 4 litres per 100 km on the freeway, the Captur is sure to leave you with some extra money in your pocket, come month-end. There’s very little road and wind noise, and although the diesel can sound a little gruff at first, once you’re up to speed it gently fades into your subconscious.

Safety

The Captur gets a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating, and features the usual ABS, EBD, and Brake Assist, but also ESC (stability control). Other features that help increase the Captur’s safety include fog lights, cornering lights, side indicators, auto-dipping headlamps, isofix mountings, and 3-point safety belts for all five passengers. To see all the features and specs in the Dynamique derivatives, click .

Competitors

The Suzuki Vitara GL comes in at R 271 900, with the GL+ costing R307 900. If you’re planning to go farther off-road, perhaps the Vitara is a better bet. Other rivals include Opel’s Crossland X 1.2T (R305 000), as well as the Kia Soul, Mazda CX-3, Fiat 500X, and Ford EcoSport.

For leisurely drives on country roads and easy everyday city-living, the well-specced, ultra-frugal Captur is a great choice for couples or small families. At R304 900 the Captur offers plenty of spec and is good value for money, and is lovely to look at too. If you’re desperate for a Captur but can’t afford the diesel model, be sure to have a look at the entry-level Captur 66kW turbo Blaze, with its 900cc turbocharged engine (the same unit which powers the Sandero). It’s priced at R234 900.