Renault Captur - Engines, performance and drive
Renault’s new Captur comes with capable petrol and hybrid powertrains, but it’s best to avoid the underpowered 1.0-litre engine
The second-generation Captur is based on the sweet-driving Clio hatchback, which is a definite plus point. The steering feels precise and allows you to push on with confidence, while the soft suspension makes the Captur much more relaxed than many of its rivals. There’s a degree of body lean, but any roll is well damped, and the pay-off is a comfortable ride, even on rougher surfaces.
Overall, the driving experience is defined by the high levels of refinement – the suspension does a grand job of soaking up road imperfections, while the light steering means it delivers more fun from the driver’s seat than you might expect.
It’s not exactly thrilling to drive, but it handles well enough, majoring on comfort rather than seeking to mimic the dynamic credentials of sportier rivals such as the Ford Puma.
0-62mph acceleration and top speed
The 1.0-litre TCe is pretty slow, with only 160Nm of torque and a sluggish 0-62mph time of 14.0 seconds. While the six-speed manual box is nice and slick, the engine needs to be revved hard in low gears to pick up speed.
The sweet spot in the line-up was the TCe 140 petrol, which could complete the sprint from 0-62mph in a more respectable 10.3 seconds. However this engine is no longer available, so the full-hybrid E-Tech 145 is the closest alternative with a 0-62mph time of 10.3 seconds and a power output of 139bhp. Naturally, as a hybrid this model should also prove cheaper to run than the petrol.
The greenest choice, though, is the plug-in hybrid E-Tech 160. It’s great to drive, with silent EV running in town and barely a shiver when the engine kicks in. 0-62mph takes 10.1 seconds, with a 107mph top speed.
