Renault Captur - Interior, design and technology
The materials used in the Captur are a real highlight - it feels more grown up and of a higher quality than its predecessor
You could be forgiven for thinking the latest Captur looks very much like the old one. And you’d be right. Despite this being an all-new car, the exterior design is really only an evolution of the previous model. Yes, the dimensions have grown and brought a more muscular stance, but it’s lost none of the original’s handsome looks.
Renault has also answered criticism of the Captur’s poor interior quality. The influence of the new Clio is obvious, with the use of soft-touch plastics throughout the cabin putting the Captur up with the best in the small SUV class in this area.
Build quality feels strong, too. The Captur doesn’t quite match the design flair of the Peugeot 2008, and you might say that the lower-spec cars feel a little on the dowdy side, but the layout is functional and the materials used are certainly better than in the Ford Puma.
The second-generation Captur is available with four core equipment levels, with various limited editions coming and going from the range. Renault has included generous levels of standard kit: all cars come with alloy wheels, LED headlights, auto folding electrically adjustable mirrors, rear privacy glass, automatic air conditioning and a host of active safety systems such as Lane Keep Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
Standard on-board tech in the Captur includes a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, a DAB radio and a wireless smartphone charging function. There’s also a 4.2-inch TFT driver information display and the usual USB ports.
R.S. Line and E-Tech Engineered models are fitted with an upgraded 9.3-inch portrait-style touchscreen with big tiles for main functions like mapping and media, and small shortcut icons along the lower edge. The graphics are sharp enough and the screen responsive, but the set-up is not as intuitive as systems in VW Group rivals.
Renault has used near-identical volume controls mounted on the steering column for decades. There’s no need to change, because the simple switches for volume and track/radio station skipping are as intuitive as ever.
