Tighter and more modern

Renault Captur: Update for the successful small SUV

(Bild: Renault)

After three years, Renault has thoroughly revised the second generation of the Captur and streamlined the equipment lines. The engines, on the other hand, have remained unchanged, with one drive in particular standing out.

As usual with model updates, Renault has hardly touched the bodywork itself, but the add-on parts, i.e. the front and rear bumpers, have, and the hood is now higher. The modernization ensures visually tighter lines and includes some smaller but striking new details such as the two air intakes next to the daytime running lights, which, as on the Clio, now have the shape of a "vertically halved diamond", as the press kit explains.

More importantly, the headlights are now full LED technology in all versions. At the rear, the transparent rear lights and the redesigned diffuser are particularly striking.

(Bild: Renault)

(Bild: Renault)

(Bild: Renault)

Extensive changes to the interior
Inside, there are new, easy-to-read instruments, new upholstery and, depending on the equipment, a Google connection or even a Harman Kardon system. The driver's display can grow to 10.25 inches, while the Renault-typical upright display in the middle is 10.4 inches in size.

(Bild: Renault)

The rear seat bench can still be moved by up to 16 centimeters, which cleverly expands the trunk (616 liters), but makes sitting on the rear seat bench almost impossible.

(Bild: Renault)

The Captur will continue to be offered in Austria with three engine versions, and now only in the same number of equipment variants: Evolution, Techno and Esprit Alpine. The latter adds its own visual accents with gray sheet metal at the front and rear, a darker logo, black window surrounds and 19-inch wheels.

The base engine remains the manual 1.0-liter three-cylinder TCe 90 petrol engine with 91 hp and 160 Nm. Above this is the four-cylinder engine with mild hybrid support, which delivers 140 hp and 260 Nm and is also coupled to a six-speed gearbox.

The top engine is the E-Tech Full Hybrid with an output of 143 hp, which stands for particularly economical use of gasoline, especially in the city, where, according to Renault, it can drive electrically up to 80 percent of the time with the right driving style. In addition to the Eco, Sport, Comfort and Mysense driving modes that can be selected as standard, two further settings are only available for this engine, namely for snow and unpaved terrain. Both modes are listed as Extended Grip, and the interventions are made primarily via the ESP.

Suspension and steering tightened
However, driving enjoyment was also at the forefront of the revision. The suspension has been tightened and the steering recalibrated. This should enable a sportier drive, even if this is certainly not at the top of the priority list for Captur drivers.

Renault has sold more than two million Capturs since 2013, making it the brand's bestseller alongside the small Clio.

The revised version of the 4.23-meter-long city SUV will go on sale in Austria this summer. Although Renault has not yet announced prices, the current ones are likely to remain more or less unchanged or even fall slightly: the Captur is currently available from 24,990 euros, with the price list currently ending at 37,050 euros.