Orange car brings to mind rain gear and old life jackets from Helly Hansen. Maybe that's why someone got the idea to create a campaign model called Helly Hansen?
Crossover I thought as I approached the car. As a middle ground between Nissan Qashqai and Citroen C3 Picasso. Big car, quite wide - but based on a small car à la Clio.
What does the Captur have that the Clio doesn't?
Versatility. Large doors with large opening. Easy access for adults and children - especially those in child seats. Good interior space. The glove compartment consists of a deep drawer of the type you have in the kitchen where there is too much room. Everything I look at and touch seems solid. The entire interior looks like it can take a beating. Should the children spill or get carsick, it is reassuring to know that the seat covers can be zipped off and cleaned.
But even in "my" lavish model, there is no premium feeling. It simply feels like a cheap car, but with good design and practical solutions. Developed in France and manufactured in Spain. Prices start at approximately 220, making the Captur only marginally more expensive than the Clio.
When I got in and adjusted the seat, I noticed that I was sitting in a typical Latin driver's position intended for bodies with short legs. Previously, types like me, who are typically Nordic, had to choose to drive with either straight arms or too short a distance to the pedals. Fortunately, the steering wheel is adjustable longitudinally, so I was able to find an absolutely superb driving position. I chose to sit a little high to get a good view of the narrow streets I was driving through.
Great on the road
On the road, the Captur seems large. You sit high compared to normal cars. Out on the main road, I didn't notice the speed. I had to shepherd the speedometer so as not to drive too fast in the monitored 80 zones around Barcelona. The top two gears in the 5-speed gearbox are overdrive, and together with the 1,5 liter's good torque, it feels like you're driving a big engine. I had to check that it was the 90 horse I had received, and not 120 HP. Another factor that contributes to the big car feeling is the suspension. It is comfortable, but not in the way you associate with old French cars. It rolls more than the Qashqai – exactly in line with what I like.
I am a bit skeptical of high-built cars when it comes to lateral stability, - or to put it in good Norwegian: The danger of the car simply tipping over during a "moose manoeuvre". In a car that corners strongly, à la Citroen 2 CV, you will feel the limits better. With a modern high-built car, it is not so easy to feel the limit without testing on a closed track. I put in some tight evasive maneuvers on a clear stretch of road to make sure the Captur won't roll over on the first evasive maneuver.
Large small car
I enjoy the big car feeling. I sit high and have a good overview. I feel like I'm towering over the road a bit too. Also, the car is great to look at. Here in France, I feel that many will choose the Captur next time they change cars. Especially families with children.
The small car feeling only comes when you open the trunk. Here, there is no room for much more than a cabin suitcase and a couple of shopping bags, - in other words, as big as in any small car. It is two-part, and without the dividing plate you get 377 liters - almost as big a boot as in the Volkswagen Golf - but it is quite high, and not as easy to use. You can expand the luggage compartment by pushing the rear seat forward. But it cannot be assumed that you have to make a compromise. It should just be missing, - the car is just over 4 meters long.
Renault's 1,5 dCI engine has been considered by many to be the best turbodiesel ever. I don't disagree. What surprises me a little is that the engine has no distinct diesel sound. If the rental car company had not attached stickers "all over" that this is a diesel, you could easily think you were driving a petrol car. 90 HP does not provide super acceleration, but the torque of 220 Nm in the rev range 1750-2500 is great.
In Norway, the Captur is not supplied with the fine dCi engine. Instead, you get 90 HP from a 0,9-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine. I have not yet tested this engine. It is an interesting alternative, but I fear that it does not provide the same nice sound image as the dCI engine.
Safety
In terms of safety, the Renault Captur scores medium in the B class. It has marginally weaker safety than the Nissan Qashqai, which also originates from Renault. What is worrying about NCAP's measurements from 2013 is Captur's weak results with regard to whiplash measured in the front seats in the event of a collision from behind.
Economy
Stated fuel consumption on the Captur dCI 90 HP is 0,40 in the city and 0,34 on the highway. There are very low consumption figures. I will keep the car for a few more days, so I have not been able to measure my own consumption, but so far it looks positive. On the purchase side, the Captur is marginally above the equivalent Clio, - and that means a lot of car for the money. The only negative thing from an economic perspective is that trade-in prices may be somewhat worse for Renault than best sellers such as Toyota and Volkswagen. Cars that are in demand as new will also be in demand as used.
Conclusion
The Captur is currently being used as a daily means of transport during some fine autumn days in the south of France. It stands out as exceptionally easy to drive. It almost runs by itself. It works very well in city driving. Easy to steer and easy to park. It handles highway speeds just fine. Appearance is appealing. I probably wouldn't choose the orange color. While on the road in France and Spain, we spot several Capturs in various color combinations. My wife prefers a red variant with a black roof. Personally, I would choose white with a black roof.
- Which one would you choose?
Pictures of Renault Captur
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