Renault Captur review

The smallest member of a family often copies their bigger brothers or sisters – and the Renault Captur has done the same. You see, it now looks more like larger Renault models than ever.

Visually, the face-lifted Captur echoes the Renault Rafale SUV and the Renault Scenic E-Tech electric car rather than looking like a jacked-up Renault Clio (a criticism you might have levelled at earlier Capturs). In other words, this small SUV looks rather more grown up.

It's been updated in other ways too, with the addition of a new Google-based infotainment system and interior materials Renault says are more sustainable. The upholstery in the new range-topping Esprit Alpine trim, for example, apparently contains 26% recycled and recyclable fabric.

The 2024 updates were definitely needed to help the Renault Captur stay competitive in the dog-eat-dog world of the best small SUVs – but are they enough? Read on to find out how it stacks up against rivals ranging from the Ford Puma and Skoda Kamiq to the Toyota Yaris Cross and VW T-Cross...

The Renault Captur engine range kicks off with the TCe 90, a 90bhp turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol that comes with a six-speed manual gearbox. We haven't tried the TCe 90 in the Captur yet, but in the smaller Renault Clio it's up to the job. Just don't expect sparkling acceleration (0-62mph takes 14.3 seconds).

If you want more performance or an automatic gearbox there's the Captur E-Tech Hybrid 145. This 141bhp 1.6-litre hybrid managed a 0-60mph time of 9.7 seconds in our tests, which is slightly quicker than a Nissan Juke Hybrid (10.4 seconds) and a Toyota Yaris Cross 114 (10.3 seconds). Compared with other similarly powerful petrol or mild-hybrid rivals, it's not as nippy as a Ford Puma 1.0 Ecoboost 155 or VW T-Cross 1.5 TSI.

While the hybrid can travel on electric power for short distances, it’s a bit more leisurely when doing so than a Yaris Cross. Once the petrol engine fires up to lend a hand, the Captur – along with the Juke Hybrid – has more power in reserve to make it easier to join a motorway. However, the hybrid system sometimes pauses while it figures out the best way to juggle the workload, resulting in a delay between pressing the accelerator and the car picking up speed.

While we haven't tested a Captur TCe 90 yet, we can tell you that the E-Tech version – which has slightly different suspension – is one of the comfier small SUVs you can buy. Indeed, it's a more supple cruiser than the Ford Puma and Nissan Juke.

While the ride doesn’t quite settle down as calmly as it does in a Skoda Kamiq or VW T-Roc it’s far from bothersome. There’s more vertical movement over undulating roads than in a Toyota Yaris Cross but it’s unlikely to make anyone on board feel queasy.

The Captur's steering is helpfully light around town but doesn't build weight reassuringly at higher speeds so you're never as confident on twisty roads as you would be in a Puma or T-Cross.

There’s a decent amount of grip but also a lot of body lean when cornering and pitching under braking so it doesn’t feel particularly composed. Meanwhile, the Captur’s brakes are powerful enough but the pedal itself lacks initial bite.

Manoeuvrability isn’t the model’s strongest suit: the turning circle is wider than in many small SUVs making it harder to execute a quick U-turn.

For the most part, the Captur is calm and civilised, with little road and wind noise at motorway speeds compared with many other small SUVs. True, it's not quite as hushed as the pricier VW T-Roc but it's a quieter cruiser than the Ford Puma and Toyota Yaris Cross, with less wind noise than inside a Nissan Juke.

The E-Tech Hybrid is remarkably quiet when running in electric mode at low speeds, emitting only a faint hum to warn pedestrians of its presence (a sound apparently composed by Jean-Michel Jarre). When needed, the petrol engine chimes in, although the switch between power sources is not as smooth as in some hybrid cars including the Toyota Yaris Cross.

The clunky automatic gearbox means the Captur Hybrid lacks the smooth power delivery of that rival, while the Captur’s pedals transmit more vibrations when the engine is running.

The engine remains hushed during gentle acceleration, only sounding a little coarse when you put your foot down hard. It's a pity the grabby brake-pedal response in the hybrid isn’t better-judged, making it difficult to come to a smooth stop. Alternatively, you can slot the gear lever from D into B mode to increase the braking effect of the regenerative braking system system so you don’t have to use the pedal as much (the car will slow when you lift off the accelerator).

If the raised driving position promised by a small SUV is what you’re after, the Renault Captur will appeal. You sit higher up from the road than you do in a Nissan Juke, Skoda Kamiq or Toyota Yaris Cross.

What’s more, the seat, steering wheel and pedals line up well, so you're not sitting at an odd angle. Some drivers might wish the Captur’s steering wheel would drop down even lower but the flip side is that there’s no risk of the wheel partially obscuring the top of the Instruments. Our only real complaint is that – unlike in the Ford Puma and VW T-Cross – adjustable lumbar support isn't available to improve lower back support.

All versions of the Captur have a digital driver's display, measuring 7.0in on the entry-level Evolution trim and 10.25in higher up the range. The bigger display is sharp and provides a wide choice of configurations. Meanwhile, the dashboard is laid out in a sensible way, with physical controls to adjust the air-con settings, making them easy to operate while you're driving.

The Captur’s elevated driving position gives you a decent view forwards, helped by relatively narrow windscreen pillars. The only slight demerit is that the rear-view mirror is mounted quite close and impedes your view out of the top section of the windscreen.

When you're looking back over your shoulder, you'll find that the window line rises steeply towards the rear of the car, creating a big blind-spot. Fortunately all versions come with rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.

All versions of the Captur come with full LED headlights with high-beam assist.

The Captur has a 10.4in portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen angled slightly towards the driver to make it easier to see and reach. It also features really crisp graphics and responds quickly when you press the screen.

The touchscreen operating system is easy to get to grips with, and Techno and Esprit Alpine models add Google Automotive Services, including the Google Maps navigation app and one of the best voice-control systems we've tried.

Whichever Captur trim you choose, you'll get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring and a wireless charging pad. Overall, the Captur has one of the best infotainment systems of any small SUV. The standard sound system could do with a bit more punch though.

The upper sections of the Captur's dashboard is squishy in places, making it feel far less budget inside than an MG ZS or Suzuki Vitara. Then again, it's hardly what you'd describe as "plush". The floating centre console, along with some other fixtures, feels a little wobbly and the hard plastics found elsewhere – especially on the doors – are disappointing to look at and touch.

If you want a really smart interior in a small SUV, take a look at the Nissan Juke or, if your budget allows, the Audi Q2. The VW T-Cross also feels a little more solid inside.

Some buyers will favour the Captur because of the use of recycled materials in its interior, and the fact that instead of chrome and leather you get materials said to be more sustainable.

There's plenty of leg room in the front of the Renault Captur and while the Ford Puma, the Nissan Juke and the Skoda Kamiq offer even more head room, it's spacious enough for six-footers. The broad interior means you won’t be rubbing shoulders with your front-seat passenger.

As for storage, there’s a total of 24.7 litres dotted around, including a hidden tray below the infotainment screen, a larger pocket in front of the gear lever and an enormous glovebox.

Even with its sliding rear seats pushed all the way back, space in the rear of the Captur is decent rather than amazing. A six-footer will find their head is rather close to the roof, and although there's more knee room than you’ll find in a Toyota Yaris Cross, there’s even more in the back of a Skoda Kamiq.

With three adults in the back of the Captur, things feel rather squished, although whoever is sitting in the middle will appreciate the amount of foot space created by the near-flat floor. It’s worth pointing out that the E-Tech Hybrid is just as roomy in the back as the regular petrol.

You can slide the back seats all the way forwards to maximise boot space, but when you do so rear knee room becomes so tight that adults will struggle to fit.

The Captur's sliding rear seats, allowing you to prioritise boot space or rear leg room, is a useful feature that's rare in the small SUV class (although the VW T-Cross has it too).

While the seat base slide as one piece, the rear seatbacks fold down in two sections in a conventional 60/40 split.

Renault says the Captur has one of the biggest boots in the class but there’s a caveat: that’s if you choose the non-hybrid version (TCe 90) and slide the rear seat bench all the way forwards (which you won't be able to do if you want to fit adults in the back).

With the rear seats slid all the way back to maximise rear leg room, boot space in the TCe 90 petrol versions drops to 422 litres (from 535 litres). That's still more luggage space than you'll find in most traditional family cars – including the VW Golf – but not quite as much as offered by a Ford Puma or Skoda Kamiq.

The Captur E-Tech Hybrid sacrifices almost a quarter of its boot to make room for its drive battery, meaning there's 326 litres of storage space when the rear seats are as far back as they'll go. We managed to squeeze in five carry-on suitcases, which matches the Nissan Juke Hybrid but struggles to match the seven cases in the Toyota Yaris Cross.

A height-adjustable boot floor is standard on all Captur trims except entry-level Evolution. Setting the boot floor to its highest position brings it flush with the boot entrance, so you can slide heavy items in with ease. Doing so also creates an almost flat load area when the rear seats are folded down.

As a cash purchase, the Renault Captur is one of the cheapest mainstream small SUVs you can buy, undercutting the Ford Puma, the Skoda Kamiq and the VW T-Cross. Whichever model you choose, you can check you're getting the best price by searching our New Car Deals pages.

In our real-world fuel economy test, the Captur E-Tech hybrid was pipped by the Toyota Yaris Cross (56.7mpg versus 57.7mpg) but did much better than the equivalent Nissan Juke (46.5mpg). That might tempt you to stump up for the Captur Hybrid rather than the TCe 90, but the downside is that the hybrid costs considerably more to buy in the first place.

Private buyers should think carefully before stumping up the extra cash, especially since it’s predicted to lose its value more quickly than a Yaris Cross. The E-Tech Hybrid's lower BIK tax rate means it is the better choice for company car drivers paying via salary sacrifice.

This is an area where the Captur does well. Even the entry-level Evolution trim won’t leave you feeling short-changed, as it comes with 17in alloy wheels, cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, automatic climate control and keyless entry.

Even so, we’d suggest jumping up to our favourite Techno trim because the price difference isn’t huge and you get bigger 18in wheels, ambient interior lighting, power-folding door mirrors, a height-adjustable boot floor and the Google-based infotainment system.

We'd avoid range-topping Esprit Alpine trim because it removes one of the Captur's most appealing strengths: it's low price. Mind you, it certainly comes with lots of kit including adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, two-tone paint and 19in alloys.

In our 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey the Captur didn’t perform particularly well, finishing near the bottom of the small SUV leaderboard in 18th place, above the MG ZS and Skoda Kamiq but below all its other key rivals, including the Ford Puma and VW T-Roc. 

Renault as a manufacturer didn’t perform much better, claiming 23rd place out of the 32 car makers included.

Every new Renault comes with a three-year warranty, with no mileage limit for the first two years, but a 60,000-mile cap after that. That’s fairly par for the course, matching Ford and Skoda, but not Kia’s seven-year warranty. The E-Tech Hybrid gets a separate eight-year/100,000 miles warranty on its drive battery.

All Capturs have automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, traffic-sign recognition and an emergency call (eCall) function. That's impressive, and we're pleased Renault hasn't skimped on safety kit with the cheaper trims.

Euro NCAP awarded the Captur five stars out of five for overall safety in 2019, although that was the pre-facelift model rather than this latest version. The testing protocol is far more stringent these days, so it's hard to compare the Captur's safety with that of newer small SUVs.

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