Test drive the Renault Captur facelift – the popular SUV returns with a new look
Renault's popular small SUV received a facelift this spring, and now it's time to talk about the changes that come with this update.
The first contact with the facelifted Captur was on the occasion of the national launch of the SUV refresh, and the model has sold more than 2 million units since the first generation was launched.
Renault wanted to ensure that Captur's sales continued, so it launched a facelift that not only combined the car's design with its new model line, but also introduced a number of new technologies, especially interior systems.
The shape of the face has changed
In appearance, the most important changes can be seen in the front of the car. Captur now benefits from completely redesigned bumpers, headlamps with LED technology as standard, now with a completely new shape, similar to what we've seen on the Scenic E-Tech or Rafale. Underneath these lights, we can see the new Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) integrated into the bumper, which now take the form of lightning.
With the facelift, the car also received a new level of equipment. It's called Esprit Alpine, and as you might notice from the photos, it brings some sportier details, such as the front bumper with silver elements, specially designed wheels up to 19 inches in diameter, and there's also a logo front fender or upholstery.
Aside from the new rim design, the car's silhouette remains almost unchanged. The same goes for the rear, where we find the taillights in clear glass, just like the facelifted Clio, but also with a cleverly tweaked light bar.
At 4.23 meters long, the Captur has compact proportions and is slightly larger than the Clio on the same platform. Coupled with a higher ground clearance of 169mm, it's a more interesting option for those looking for a higher driving position.
Same design, new material
For example, in addition to advantages such as a higher driving position or more space than the Clio, the facelifted Captur now adds new technology that we find in the car.
The design remains largely unchanged, retaining the basics that we already know from the second generation. Yes, there are new finishes and materials, especially since animal skins have been completely abandoned in favor of more environmentally friendly materials.
The dashboard is covered in soft, pleasant foam, but the door panels are made of hard material. At least it makes up for it with soft armrest areas and equally soft inserts on the front and rear door panels. Moreover, the structure is sturdy even though hard materials are mainly used, and I did not encounter any "crickets" during my time in the car.
Because my car is upholstered in Esprit Alpine, the interior is covered with white and blue stitching, the Alpine logo, blue trim, and sports seats. Don't worry, the seat is comfortable even on long distances, but provides enough lateral support, but I would also like to have adjustable lumbar support.
In terms of practicality, the interior of the Captur offers no less than 4 USB-C sockets and 2 12V sockets, spacious pockets and a luggage compartment of 536 liters, which can be increased to 616 liters by sliding the rear seats, with a maximum of 16 cm to slide forward.
谷歌在新款雷诺 Captur 上亮相
In addition to the changes in appearance, we tell you that Renault is introducing new technology on the Captur. Regardless of the gear level, the Captur comes standard with a 10.4-inch central screen, runs an operating system based on Android Automotive 12, and comes with a fully digital instrument cluster. In the basic trim, the diagonal length is 7 inches, but the more abundant trim horizontal diagonal length is 10.25 inches.
The new OpenR Link infotainment system is based on Android Automotive, which makes it very versatile and easy to use. It looks a lot like an Android phone, and I'm sure most of us have touched it at least once.
Most of the car's features are built into it, but I appreciate that Renault retains the basic climate function in physical form. If the car is equipped with this option, we can activate the heated seats or the heated windshield from the screen.
As an Android-based system, standard maps are provided by Google Maps, and I like that maps can also be projected onto the dashboard. Other apps can also be downloaded from the Play Store, which provides a higher level of connectivity. If you want to connect your phone to your car, Captur has wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connectivity.
What engines are available in Romania?
Captur's wide range of engines is designed precisely to meet a wider audience. In Romania, this French SUV is available with five engines and three gear levels: Evolution, Techno, and Esprit Alpine.
The most affordable engines are the TCe 90 and TCe 100 GPL. They are based on the same one-liter three-piston turbocharged engine. As the name suggests, the TCe 90 puts out 90 hp and 160 Nm of torque and is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Both engines are only available for the base version of the Evolution.
On the other hand, the TCe 100 comes with a LPG unit that puts out 100 hp and 170 Nm of torque, but also comes with the same 6-speed manual gearbox. Thanks to the larger LPG tank, which currently has a capacity of 40 liters, Renault says cars equipped with this engine can have a range of about 1,100 kilometers. Both engines are only available for the base version of the Evolution.
Next up is a 48V, four-cylinder, 1.3-liter, mild-hybrid engine assisted by an electric motor. They have a power of 140 or 160 horsepower. The weakest of these is a 6-speed manual transmission, while the 160-horsepower version is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Last but not least, the Renault Captur E-Tech is powered by a 145-horsepower full hybrid engine. It has a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine paired with two electric motors. The total system power is 145 hp, and the hybrid system battery capacity is 1.2 kWh. Renault claims that 80% of the time spent in the city is done without the use of internal combustion engines and can reduce fuel consumption by up to 40%.
How does the new Renault Captur drive?
I own an Esprit Alpine version of the Captur with a 160-horsepower mild hybrid engine mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission and dual clutch.
It's also the fastest of the Captur versions, with a 0-100 acceleration time of 8.5 seconds. In terms of fuel economy, the full hybrid model remains indisputable, with a claimed hybrid fuel consumption of 4.7 - 4.9 l/100 km, while the mild hybrid engine has a declared fuel consumption of 5.8 - 5.9 l/100 km.
Our journey will travel from Bucharest to Breira. We depart from Renault's headquarters in Strada Preciziei and from there head to Autostrada Soarelui. In the city, I recorded a fuel consumption of about 11 liters/100 km, provided that the air conditioner worked continuously and the car was not repaired.
Once on the highway, we set the legal speed on the adaptive autopilot and continued on to Breira, where we recorded a combined fuel consumption of 7.4 l/100 km at our destination on the first day. The next day, on the same route, but in the direction of Bucharest, I found a slightly lower fuel consumption of 6.8 l/100 km.
The Captur's controls are kept light, with easy-to-press pedals and light steering, which is very comfortable when driving at low speeds in town, but I would prefer that feeling when the speed increases. I would also like the auto box to have a better performance. The problem I had wasn't shifting, which was fast and without shock, but that the downshifts were sometimes heavy. Even in sport mode, the gearbox takes some time to stabilize. Luckily, if you want to control the gears yourself, there are paddles available on the steering wheel.
The 1.3-litre engine is quite refined, and you'll only hear it when you press the accelerator pedal more decisively. In addition, thanks to the 48V mild hybrid system, it starts and stops smoothly and does not transmit vibrations through the body. It's not the most dynamic engine, but it's been improved to provide good consumption figures in return.
Overall, the soundproofing of the car is well done, so you hear mostly the rolling of the tires, not the whistling of the wind. When it comes to tires, I recommend sticking with smaller 17 or 18-inch rims, as 19-inch rims can stiffen the car's handling.
But the Captur is still a comfortable SUV with a high driving position, and I know that many customers in this segment are looking for that. Visibility is excellent, but I have a little complaint about the mirrors, it's a bit narrow, reducing visibility overall.
conclusion
The Renault Captur facelift is a welcome update, especially as competition for B-segment SUVs and crossovers becomes increasingly fierce.
The design respects the new design route of the French manufacturer and better integrates the car into the current range, but despite the new Renault technology and Android-based infotainment system in the interior, some traces of the past remain, such as the satellite on the steering column, on which the audio system controls are mounted.
Due to the wide range of engines, Captur is an attractive option for both experienced customers and fleets, and a full hybrid engine can be a good alternative to diesel, especially if you want to use your car mainly in the city.
In Romania, the price of the facelifted Captur starts at €19,450 (including VAT). A car like the one we tested, with an Esprit Alpine interior, comes with a 160-horsepower 1.3-liter mild hybrid engine with a starting price of €28,440 (including VAT).