Renault Captur Test Drive Review. Can It Capture The Hearts Of Malaysians?
This is the smallest SUV in the Renault vehicle lineup and it is the most funky styled and branded. This Renault Captur comes to the market at a time when Malaysians are still very fascinated with the prospect of owning a high riding vehicle even when they know that they will never drive over any rugged surface. It is more for a commanding view ahead and to forge thru city floods without any worry of breakdown.
One of the main selling points of any new compact crossover is its compact yet purposeful design. The Captur possesses a dynamic edge to its design that combines angles and curves to good effect. From the nose to the headlight clusters it is quintessentially Renault. It comes with the signature Renault front fascia design and a sport wagon rear end. The side profile subtly mimics its hot hatch sibling the Clio GT, while the rear end of the Captur features a far more curvaceous rump over the Kaleos which did not make an impression with Malaysians.
The Capture comes with a high riding position like its immediate rival, the HR-V but with less heft. There is a multitude of safety features which provided a 5-star safety rating from the Euro-NCAP and also an impressive long list of standard features such as 4-airbags covering front and rear passengers, ESC, Hill Start Assist, ABS, EBA, BA and Pedestrian Protection.
There are also comfort features like auto headlights, keyless entry and ignition, local map navigation, reverse camera, 7-inch touchscreen Bluetooth ready sound system, an ECO mode function for added fuel economy and a multi-function steering wheel.
Front passengers get a commanding view all round and rear passengers get decent comfort. 3 full sized adults in the rear will pinch a little. Luggage space is good with a double tier floor and with the rear seats being able to slide forward 16cm you get added space for your bike or knock down furniture.
One of the most impressive elements of this dynamic new entrant in the compact crossover segment is the drive. The 6-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox responded very well to our right-foot movements every time, dropping gears rapidly and never having to ‘hunt’ for the correct gear, even when we were taking in some very fast driving on some back roads. The 6-speed gearbox is also a good performer in ECO mode when it works with the engine to keep the engine from revving high and reduce changes to keep the 1.2L turbo engine sipping as little fuel as possible. The 17-inch wheels are fitted with 205 wide rubbers that do a good job of keeping occupants from feeling uncomfortable on the badly maintained roads in the city.
From the traffic lights, the Captur with a full load of passengers does not feel sluggish on pickup as long as you are not in ECO mode. The engine is a strong worker and keeps up to pace with fast traffic right up to 160km/h. In ECO mode the Captur’s engine and gearbox works to keep engine revs down and economy up so expect less spirited acceleration. Steering feel is good and despite its height, the Captur does not lean too much when cornering hard. It’s well damped suspension is setup for entertainment and keeps the drive happy.
So, the steering is precise, the brakes are good, and the 1.2L turbocharged engine’s broad swathe of torque give the Captur a muscular feel. Simply put, it drives like a car and I have no doubt that it will hold up well against its Japanese rival once a test drive is done by any segment buyer.
For added peace-of-mind, like all Renault passenger cars, service intervals for the Captur are 10,000km or one year. The Captur also comes with a five-year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty.
Renault Captur 1.2L TCe Specifications
Engine: 4-cylinder turbo
Capacity: 1197cc
Power: 120bhp @ 4900rpm
Torque: 190Nm @ 2000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed dual clutch
0-100km/h: NA
Top speed: 180km/h
Price: From RM118,000.00
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