Used Renault Captur 2013-2019 review
The first-generation Renault Captur is a popular and practical small SUV and a good used buy. Reliability can be an issue, though.
More used reviews:
- (2017 - 20)
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What's the used Renault Captur like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
Mark Pearson
Updated: 4 December 2024
How we test cars
What's the used Renault Captur like?
In essence, the Renault Captur is no bigger than a Renault Clio but has a raised ride height and wears more fashionable attire.
It proved very popular from its launch in 2013 to its replacement by an all-new 2019-onwards Renault Captur – indeed it was Europe’s best-selling small SUV in 2016. Such success means there are now plenty of good, used examples on the forecourts.
Overview
The Renault Captur is a good car if you want small hatchback size and costs but with a slightly elevated driving position.
Pros
- Practical interior
- Impressive refinement
- Well equipped
Cons
- Pre-facelift Captur has poor interior quality
- Some engines have weak performance
- Rear leg room can be tight
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique MediaNav Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,995
Renault Captur
0.9 TCe ENERGY Expression + Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£2,177
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique MediaNav Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£2,199
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique S Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£2,295
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Expression + Convenience Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£2,350
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£2,390
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Expression + Convenience Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£2,395
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique MediaNav Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£2,475
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique MediaNav Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£2,490
See all available cars
See used cars for sale
Engines: The engine range started with a nippy-feeling 89bhp 0.9 that was ideal for use around town and was more refined than the diesels. It felt a bit out of its depth when the car was loaded up, though, and only came with a manual gearbox.
When fitted with the automatic 'box, the 118bhp 1.2-litre engine car is a bit hesitant, but the manual version is much smoother and offers better performance than the 0.9. In the last year of production, the 1.2 was replaced with a slightly more potent 1.3-litre petrol with either 128 or 148bhp. The 89bhp 1.5 dCi diesel feels lively enough around in urban environments, but a little underpowered on faster roads. The 109bhp 1.5 dCi is a more powerful version of the same engine with more torque for better low-end shove.
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Trims and equipment: There are five well-equipped trim levels to choose from – Expression+, Dynamique Nav, Dynamique S Nav, Signature X Nav and Signature S Nav. Entry-level Expression+ trim comes with air-con, 16in alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, a DAB radio and Bluetooth.
Dynamique Nav comes with the 7in colour touchscreen infotainment and sat-nav system. Dynamique S Nav adds bigger 17in alloys. Signature X Nav adds a BOSE sound system, while top-spec Signature S Nav comes with heated part-Nappa leather seats and a rear parking camera.
Ride and handling: On the road, the Captur isn’t blessed with a particularly good ride quality. It tends to feel crashy, and patters to a surprising degree over all surfaces. Like the Clio, the Captur only comes with front-wheel drive – if you want a cheap 4x4 mud-plugger, you should look elsewhere.
Interior and practicality: Inside, the modern-looking dash has some deep cubby holes in the centre console that are useful for oddment storage. Even the lankiest of drivers will have enough head room up front, although a contemporary Vauxhall Crossland X still has more leg room.
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Practicality is key in this class and, with the sliding rear seat set right, you get a reasonable 377-litre boot, extending to a healthy 455 litres with the bench slid fully forward. The sliding seat also means you can increase the space available in the back – and you might need to because the Captur isn't the most accommodating in the rear with it slid forwards.
The Captur was treated to a mild facelift in 2017, with new bumpers and chrome trim, restyled lights front and rear, and a revised dashboard inside with some soft-touch plastics.
Certainly, the Captur isn't going to whet the appetite of a keen driver. Think of it instead as a solid, dependable and immensely practical used buy.
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If you're interested in finding a used Renault Captur, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.
Page 1 of 5
Tips & Advice
How to test drive a car
There’s no substitute for a test drive in a new car. Take it on a variety of roads and surfaces to ensure it measures up.
Will the car fit your needs?
As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy
Ownership cost
What used Renault Captur will I get for my budget?
You can buy a 2013 Captur for under £3000 at the time of writing, but many of these will be high mileage machines or repaired Cat D cars. It’s better to spend around £5000-£7000 and get a good condition 2015 car with average mileage for the year from an independent dealer. Step up to between £7000 and £9000 and you can bag yourself a 2017 car from an independent or franchised dealer with a full history and a low mileage. If you fancy something newer, then £9000 will find you plenty of 2019 examples in a variety of trim and engine options, with some of the last examples built going for around £10,000. These are likely to be listed as 2020 cars.
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Check the value of a used Renault Captur with What Car? Valuations
How much does cost to run a Renault Captur?
MPG
Naturally enough, it’s the diesel-engined cars that are the most economical. The 1.5 dCi 90 versions return an overall consumption of 78.5mpg, according to the NEDC tests that were prevalent at the time, while the more punchy 1.5 dCi 110 returns 76.4mpg.
The 0.9 TCE 90 petrol engine returns a combined figure of 55.4mpg, but the larger 1.2 isn't too far off this, at 51.4mpg. In 2019, the 1.2 was superseded by the bigger 1.3-litre petrol, and while the 44.1mpg figure of that car appears disappointing, this newer engine was tested under the more stringent WLTP standards that better represent real-world driving.
CO2 emissions
Both the 90 and 110 versions of the 1.5 dCi diesel sneak under the 100g/km threshold at 95 and 98g/km, respectively. The petrol range isn't too bad when compared with its rivals. The 0.9 TCE emits 114g/km, the 1.2 TCE puts out 125g/km, and the 1.3 TCE produces just a touch more at 128g/km.
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Road tax (VED)
Cars registered before April 2017 will have their VED calculated based on CO2 emissions, which are low with the Captur, meaning it shouldn't cost you much. Models registered after that date will attract the current flat fee of £190 per year, which applies to all petrol and diesel cars. To find out more about the latest road tax costs, click here.
Insurance and servicing
Insurance costs are reasonable as it falls into lower groups. Servicing plans are available for used Capturs that are less than 12 months old. You can get a three-year/30,000 mile plan at £449, a longer four-year/40,000 mile policy for £699, or a four-year/60,000 mile deal that includes an extended warranty for £999. For anything over 12 months old, there are budget (two services), standard (four services) or premium (four services plus one air filter, one diesel fuel filter or a set of spark plugs, and one brake fluid change) plans for £299, £459 and £699 respectively.
Reliability
The Renault Captur presents a decent yet mixed reliability portrait, based on real-world owner reviews analyzed in our annual What Car? Reliability Survey.
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Owners appreciate the Captur for its general dependability in daily use, though concerns arise with electrical systems and engine components, including faulty warning lights and engine faults. Dealer service experiences also vary, with some owners praising efficient and courteous handling of repairs under warranty, while others express frustration over lengthy diagnostics and unresolved issues upon return.
This balance of satisfaction and room for improvement highlights the Captur's position in the reliability spectrum.
To delve deeper into the reliability of the used Renault Captur, visit our dedicated reliability page.
Page 2 of 5
Tips & Advice
Organise your motoring life
Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered
Never miss a motoring date
Remembering to arrange insurance, book a service or buy breakdown cover can be a pain. Fortunately, My What Car? is here to help
Can I buy a car with cash?
Paying cash isn’t always an easy way to a new car – and you may not be able to get the big discounts you might expect
Protect your investment
GAP insurance allows you to get the full price for your car if it’s stolen or written off, but only a quarter of Brits buy it
Reduce your car finance bills
Refinancing your car effectively means taking out one loan to pay off another, which could help reduce your monthly payments, or reduce your finance term
What is hire purchase?
Hire purchase allows you to make monthly payments to buy your next car – although these will be higher than with a PCP
What is PCP finance?
Low monthly payments are key to the appeal of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements. But are there downsides?
Our recommendations
Which used Renault Captur should I buy?
Engine
The 0.9 feels nippy enough for most purposes. It might only be the entry-level engine, but it's ideal for what most people will use the Captur for. If you plan to cover a lot of miles in your Captur, consider the 1.5 dCi 110. It has a bit more performance to sustain a decent cruising pace on the motorway.
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Trims
Dynamique Nav is our preferred trim because it comes with the 7.0in colour touchscreen infotainment and sat-nav system. It also adds removable seat covers and climate control that can be set to automatically maintain a set interior temperature.
Our favourite Renault Captur: 0.9 TCE 90 Dynamique Nav
Page 4 of 5
Tips & Advice
Avoid ULEZ and clean-air zone fines
If you regularly drive into a clean air zone, you’ll want to ensure your next car is compliant to avoid costly fines
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Renault Captur?
The Captur now sits in a huge and thriving class of used small SUVs, which includes pricey premium products from Audi and BMW as well as less expensive used cars, including three we've singled out here.
The Suzuki Vitara is a similar size to the Captur. It’s good to drive, has a practical interior and is well equipped. Its CO2 emissions are quite high, though.
The Kia Soul is spacious inside, well equipped and decent to drive. Its steering isn’t the most communicative, though, and, like the Vitara, its CO2 emissions are quite high.
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The Suzuki Ignis is slightly smaller overall, but it’s very good value for money, and is fun to drive and well equipped. The ride is rather firm, though, and it’s noisy at speed.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
If you're interested in finding a used Renault Captur, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.
Page 5 of 5
How reliable is the Renault Captur ?
Reliability rating: 88.5%
Renault Captur
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique MediaNav Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,995
Renault Captur
0.9 TCe ENERGY Expression + Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£2,177
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique MediaNav Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£2,199
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique S Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£2,295
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Expression + Convenience Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£2,350
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£2,390
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Expression + Convenience Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£2,395
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique MediaNav Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£2,475
Renault Captur
1.5 dCi ENERGY Dynamique MediaNav Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£2,490
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Mark Pearson
Title: Used cars editor
Follow Mark Pearson on
Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.
Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.
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