Currently reading: Nearly new buying guide: Renault Captur

This small French SUV ticks a lot of boxes. We take a closer look

As this is written, Renault showrooms across the land are being emptied of their few remaining unregistered, old-model Capturs as the all-new version pushes at the gates. In fact, you can order the new Renault Renault Captur now for delivery in February.

Still, here we’re interested in its predecessor, a Renault that did a sterling job in helping to establish the market for small SUVs when it was launched in 2013. Such was its popularity that in 2016 the outgoing Renault Captur was Europe’s best-selling small SUV.

When it first landed, reviewers complained about its poor ride on scarred roads, a tendency to lean heavily in corners, lacklustre performance and uncommunicative steering. To the model’s fast-growing army of admirers, however, these were mere technicalities.

Click here to buy your next used Captur from Autocar

Instead they focused on its plus points: stylish looks (especially in one of the two-tone colour schemes), chunky presence, lofty driving position, space-efficient interior featuring a sliding rear bench, four years’ servicing, warranty and breakdown cover, and keen pricing.

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The model was facelifted towards the end of 2016 (restyled grille, smarter lights all round with LED daytime-running lights, improved interior trim) and then last year the line-up was simplified.

It’s these post-2016 Capturs we’re interested in here since they’re almost indistinguishable from today’s few remaining unsold ones. Prices start at £8000 for a 2017 0.9 TCe Expression with 23,000 miles, rising to around £19,000 for a pre-reg 1.3 TCe 150 GT Line EDC automatic with delivery mileage.

For a small car, there are lots of engines to choose from. If you spend your time pottering around town, lightly loaded, you’ll be fine with the 89bhp 0.9 TCe 90 petrol. There’s a more powerful 118bhp TCe 120 available with the EDC automatic gearbox. Later on, a choice of two 1.3-litre engines arrived: a 128bhp TCe 130 and 148bhp TCe 150, the latter also offered with the EDC ’box.

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Car review

The Renault Captur, the sister car to the Nissan Juke, offers an appealing ownership package especially after its mid-life facelift, but it isn't the last word in driving engagement

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If you don’t like the idea of diesel then one of these more powerful petrols would be a good choice, especially if you’re contemplating long, fully loaded drives. However, given the Captur’s less than sparkling steering and handling abilities, don’t expect to arrive grinning from ear to ear.

There are two diesel engines: a 108bhp dCi 110 and the 89bhp dCi 90. The former is a gutsy partner but it’s the latter, the 89bhp unit, that survived the cull of 2018 and which is also available with the EDC gearbox. It’s a clattery old thing but it’ll give you the economy you’re looking for and it bowls along happily enough.

Talking trims, up to 2018 Dynamic Nav and Dynamic S Nav were the big sellers thanks to their alloy wheels, climate control, chrome trim and media system. After that date, the trims changed to Play, Iconic, runout S Edition and GT Line, in that order. Iconic, a blend of Dynamic and Dynamic S, ticks most boxes.

Top spec pick

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Signature X Nav: Signature S Nav was for a time the top spec but X Nav a rung below it gets our vote for having Renault’s advanced Grip Xtend traction control system, in addition to luxury kit.

BUYER BEWARE

Transmission If it's a manual car, petrol or diesel, drive it from cold feeling for clutch judder as the temperature rises and you change gears. It's a common problem, according to the forums.

Body Check the wheel-arch trims fit snugly – some don't. Make sure the filler cap opens and closes.

Interior Be sure the infotainment system functions flawlessly since it hasn't a great reputation for reliability. A faulty stop/start system may indicate a tired battery or a faulty sensor. Is the mpg readout displaying 29.9mpg? An update should fix it. Is the radio on but not working? A Renault dealer should be able to fix that, too. Seatbelt rattles have been reported but the only cure is to slot them into their connectors. Make sure some of the cheaper trim plastics aren't too knocked about.  

 

Need to know

Capturs registered up to 31 January last year were sold with a four-year/100,000-mile warranty, but from 1 February cover was trimmed to three years/60k miles.

Look out for versions with Renault’s Grip Xtend advanced traction control system that offers three modes: Road, Loose Ground and Expert. Coupled with optional all-weather tyres, it gives the little SUV a modicum of gentle off-roading ability.

All Capturs were sold with a tyre inflation kit but it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled for any that were specced with the optional spare wheel instead.

 

Our pick

Renault Captur 0.9 TCE 90 Dynamique S Nav: Lowest-powered Captur is ideal in town. Keeping it safe from scrapes are auto-folding mirrors and rear parking sensors.

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Wild card

Renault Captur 1.3 TCE 150 Iconic EDC auto: Small autos can be frustrating but, in this Captur’s case, the combination of powerful engine and responsive gearbox is a nice surprise. Iconic trim features a touchscreen sat-nav.

Ones we found

2016 Captur 1.5 dCi Dynamique Nav, 98,000 miles, £6500

2017 Captur 0.9 TCe Expression, 23,000 miles, £8000

2018 Captur 1.5 dCi Dynamique S Nav, 32,000 miles, £10,000

2019 Captur 1.3 TCe 130 Iconic, 10 miles, £15,000

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Comments
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scotty5 19 December 2019

Warranty quandary

Capturs registered up to 31 January last year were sold with a four-year/100,000-mile warranty, but from 1 February cover was trimmed to three years/60k miles.

Didn't I just read the other day that Renault were now going to 5yr warranty? That's not going to cause confusion amongst owners is it.

scotty5 19 December 2019

Total confusion

scotty5 wrote:

Didn't I just read the other day that Renault were now going to 5yr warranty? That's not going to cause confusion amongst owners is it.

Just checked, they introduced a 5yr warranty on all new cars yesterday ( 18th Dec ). Yep, total confusion.

chris1969 19 December 2019

Very slow

I've had a few of the 0.9 TCE as hire cars from work and they are the worst modern cars I've driven.  Driving the duel carridgeway in Cornwall you are down to 3rd gear on the hills and struggle to maintain 60mph with only 2 people and little luggage.  Fuel consumption in mid 30's is all you get in the real world.

Maybe the larger engine is better but the 0.9 is awful.  (Similar experience with the Quashqi with the same engine)

Will86 19 December 2019

chris1969 wrote:

chris1969 wrote:

Maybe the larger engine is better but the 0.9 is awful.  (Similar experience with the Quashqi with the same engine)

The Qashqai has never had the 0.9 TCE, fortunately. That really would be dangerous. 

si73 19 December 2019

Wouldn't have expected it to

Wouldn't have expected it to be that bad, my colt cleartec only has 98 bhp from its na 1.3 and copes with the same roads just fine, but does get better economy than 30 odd, usually high 40s-50 mpg
Always thought the downsized turbos would be thirsty as they're so often on boost.