Renault Captur – signature model has some snags but will deliver in urban environment

By Gerry Murphy Based on the platform of the Clio, the Captur is one of the earlier ones of this new breed of car and it has grabbed the public interest since it was first launched in 2013.

Renault say that a quarter of the cars bought in this country will be small and compact SUVs combined, which makes this type of car all the more important for the car companies.

Here is a car that is aimed at small car buyers that want a higher driving position and want to make a fashion statement. Visually the Captur cuts a dash and with the introduction of their Signature model – the test car for this week – customers can now enjoy the car for its top-spec trim including 17-inch alloys, additional chrome detailing and a two-tone paint finish.

Inside you get part-leather upholstery, exclusive mats and door sills and some colour-coded detailing on the centre console and air vents. On top of the visual niceties, you get additional technologies with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring USB connectivity; a better stereo with 3D sound; rear parking camera; and rear parking sensors. You also get Renault’s ‘Grip Xtend’ traction control system that assists on difficult surfaces, giving the front-wheel drive Captur some off-road ability.

However, the Captur that I drove had some irritating snags that need some intervention to correct. My test car suffered from a lot of rattles, especially in the rear from the parcel shelf and the rear seating.

That gives the sense that the build quality is less than it should be and while a couple of purposefully placed foam blocks could solve the problem, Renault need to have another look at the design of this area. Also, the interior is finished with hard surfaces and this lack of soft touch materials here give the impression of cheapness that others in the segment do not have.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.