Wind of change: Lessons learned in the new Renault Captur compact SUV

Published on 14 March, 2020

Longer body: the Renault Captur crossover

Overview

I certainly learned a lesson with this week's review car. It is the human condition, I suppose, to jump to conclusions. And goodness me, did I leap to one on this occasion?

I thought there was something wrong as we headed west in the new Renault Captur compact crossover.

I had previously driven the car abroad without anything remotely untoward to report so I was puzzled at the apparent lack of response to the pressure of my right foot on the accelerator.

It was a miserable old day with a lot of rain and blustery wind as we left the Dublin area.

What I hadn't factored in was how increasingly worse the wind was to become as we buffeted our way westwards.

Indeed, I was blind to its pervasive powers until we travelled with it at our backs on the return journey the following day.

Wind power wasn't the only surprise of the weekend - there were pleasant ones, too - but it showed me how important it is to take road and weather conditions into account when assessing a car, especially a moderately tall one such as the Captur.

So let me put it this way: if I'd finished my drive, drawn my conclusions and reported to you here on the basis of the outbound, westward half of the journey I would have criticised the 100bhp petrol engine for being wimpish, the car for being too tall and the fuel consumption for being too high.

On the way back, for the record, we had three additional passengers in the rear.

Three tall, young, but tired, people joined us - and well done to one of them for sitting on the narrow middle seat all the way to south Dublin.

Which means if I had concluded my drive, drawn my conclusions and reported here, purely on the basis of the eastward wind-assisted half of the journey, I would have praised the 100bhp engine for being peppy and powerful under extra load, the car for affording so much room and the fuel consumption for being more than reasonable. So you see how exterior forces can play such a big role in a car's performance and performance.

As it transpired, I drove it quite a bit further under normal circumstances, too; and I think that, in itself, was instructive. But before that, a little bit about the new arrival.

The previous Captur's Achilles' heel had been its internal attire. It was a bit drab to put it mildly (though that didn't stop a lot of people from buying one).

The new cabin is a major improvement with quality material now on and around the screen/visual areas of the dash. Overall, the touch and feel of materials throughout the interior is far better.

The fact that one of my rear passengers could endure the long drive in the middle seat is testament not just to her stoicism but to the fact there is more room due to the longer body (and improved seating).

Because this model is built on a new platform, it is longer, wider, taller and has an extended wheelbase. Result: there is a precious 17mm more knee room for those in the back seats.

I remember noting, at its initial launch abroad, that it is now closer in internal size to the current Volkswagen Golf.

The extra length boosted the dual-level boot space, too - it's up to 536 litres compared with 445 litres encompassed by its predecessor - and took a good few smaller carrier bags and general paraphernalia.

The new platform also contributes to it being a better-balanced car - as I found when I took it on a nippy wind-neutral drive.

In contrast with the cabin, they haven't gone to major lengths to redesign the look of the car.

They tightened up the rear design to good effect and carved a sharper front bonnet/lights cluster as well. But not much more of substance.

On reflection, I am delighted we had those interfaces with the wind and rain.

It not only showed the Captur in different lights, it also retaught me a lesson (and I needed it) about jumping to conclusions before all the facts are considered.

So after more mature reflection, I can answer my own question: Would I buy one if I was in the market for a compact SUV?

It is that bit more expensive - around €1,500 of an increase - but you get not just a new car but higher spec levels, more technology and space, etc so I suppose that's a reasonable lift.

Yes, I would buy one; certainly I'd short-list it. After all, I've seen how it performs under pressure and at its leisure.

Facts & figures

Renault Captur Crossover:

S-edition TCe 100 manual. From €21,995; with options €26,320; 118g/km, €200 tax, 5.1l/100km. Spec includes: cruise control, auto wipers, 17in wheels, LED lights, electric/heated mirrors, climate control, 4.2in display, 7in t/screen; Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Test-car extras: auto lights, parking sensors, rear camera, 17in alloys, 9.3in t/screen, wireless charger.