Item: Renault Captur
Rating: 3
Author: Steve Huntingford

Audi Q2

Citroen C3 Aircross

DS 3

Fiat 500X

Ford Ecosport

Ford Puma

Hyundai Bayon

Hyundai Kona

Jeep Renegade

Kia Stonic

Mini Countryman

New Suzuki S-Cross

Nissan Juke

Peugeot 2008

Renault Captur

Seat Arona

Skoda Kamiq

Ssangyong Tivoli

Suzuki Ignis

Suzuki Vitara

Toyota Yaris Cross

Vauxhall Crossland

Vauxhall Mokka

Volkswagen T-Cross

Volkswagen T-Roc

The Renault Captur is packed with a number of features that should help with getting in and out if you have restricted mobility. For a start, its front doors open wider than most other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-small-suvs-2021/n17050">small SUVs</a> (67 degrees to be specific), which simply means that they’re well out of the way when you need them to be. Bear in mind, however, that you might need to reach&nbsp;out a long way to reach the door when you want to close it.

The door aperture is also a reasonable size, so you won’t need to contort yourself too much when getting in and out. This holds true for the passenger, too, because the dashboard is shaped so that it doesn’t hamper access.

The top of the driver’s seat cushion sits a minimum of 530mm from the ground, so you’ll be able to slide gently into the seat instead of facing a clumsy drop – something you can’t do in most traditional low-riding hatchbacks. In addition, the tops of the door sills are just 395mm from the ground, so getting your feet over them will be much easier than it is in some higher-up small SUVs, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c3-aircross/hatchback/review/n17381">Citroen C3 Aircross</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/juke/hatchback/review/n45">Nissan Juke</a>.

However, the floor of the car sits 135mm below the top edge of the door sill, so this is a little restrictive when it comes to exiting the vehicle.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a> claims the Captur has one of the biggest boots in the class, but there’s a caveat: that’s only if you slide the rear bench all the way forwards, which doesn't leave much rear leg room.

With the bench slid all the way back to maximise rear leg room, boot space is 422 litres. That’s more than you get in most family hatchbacks, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen Golf</a>, and&nbsp;we squeezed in six carry-on cases below&nbsp;the Captur's parcel shelf. That’s pretty good, but the Puma swallowed eight and the Kamiq seven.

It's worth bearing in mind that the E-Tech versions (particularly the plug-in hybrid) have smaller boots because of the electrical bits and pieces beneath the floor. You do get a&nbsp;handy cable storage compartment, though.

Although the Captur has&nbsp;a dashboard that’s pleasingly squishy in places, with more soft-touch plastic than you get in the hard and unyielding interiors of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-cross/estate/review/n19039">Volkswagen T-Cross</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/arona/hatchback/review/n117">Seat Arona</a>, the rest of the Captur’s interior plastics look and feel a bit&nbsp;cheap. The&nbsp;Kamiq and even the Ford Puma feel more robust inside.

If you go for the plug-in hybrid E-Tech or R.S. Line trim, you'll get a steering wheel wrapped in genuine leather rather than the fake stuff.&nbsp;That helps make the Captur feel a little more upmarket,&nbsp;but not by enough to trouble&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/juke/hatchback/review/n45">Nissan Juke</a> and cheaper&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kamiq/hatchback/review/n19999">Skoda Kamiq</a>,&nbsp;while the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q2/estate/review/n120">Audi&nbsp;Q2</a> and Countryman are the best options in this class&nbsp;if you want to experience proper plushness.

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Accessibility & Motability

Costs & verdict

If the raised driving position promised by a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-suv">small SUV</a> is what you’re after, the Renault Captur will appeal to you – you sit higher up from the road than you do in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kamiq/hatchback/review/n19999">Skoda Kamiq</a>, for example. The seat, steering wheel and pedals line up well, so you're not sitting at an odd angle. Unlike in rivals including&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a>, Kamiq&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n17376">Volkswagen T-Roc</a>, adjustable lumbar support isn't available.

The air-conditioning is operated by physical controls rather than a touchscreen, which is a good thing and keeps distraction to a minimum. You get standard analogue instrument dials on most models, which are replaced by a 7.0in digital display in S Edition cars or a 10.0in one in the E-Tech hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.

The Captur offers a couple of options for those who prefer to use an automatic gearbox.

First up, the sweet spot in the range is undoubtedly the 138bhp version of the turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. It revs smoothly and endows the car with a decent turn of pace, and the smooth automatic takes all strain out of proceedings. An average economy figure of almost 48mpg isn’t to be sniffed at, either.

There’s also the latest E-tech Plug-in Hybrid version, which combines a petrol engine and electric motor. It’s punchy and smooth, but to make the most of its electric range you’ll need to plug it in whenever you park.

Even entry-level models get keyless entry and start, rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning, cruise control, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration.&nbsp;

Moving up the range adds items such as automatic lights and wipers and a larger 9.3in portrait touchscreen. The latter is clearer and easier to read than the entry-level 7.0in unit, but the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/arona/hatchback/review/n117">Seat Arona</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kamiq/hatchback/review/n19999">Skoda Kamiq</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-cross/estate/review/n19039">Volkswagen T-Cross’s</a> infotainment systems all feature sharper graphics and are more responsive to prods and pokes.

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

This entry-level engine is disappointingly sluggish; there's very little urgency unless you work it hard. The more powerful TCe 140 makes far more sense.



http://example.com

1.0 TCE 90

10-tce-90

1.6 E-Tech full hybrid 145

16-e-tech-full-hybrid-145

You won’t be able to travel far under electric power alone compared with the E-Tech 160 plug-in hybrid, but this version will cope with short bursts at low speeds without needing its engine. Performance is reasonably sprightly in town thanks to its electric motor, but this trails off significantly when the engine takes over to get you up to motorway speeds.

This 158bhp plug-in hybrid uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine and an electric motor. It can run on electric power alone for around 30 miles according to official figures and the battery takes around three house to charge from a home wall box. Performance is perfectly adequate, but it can fumble when switching between power sources and you’ll have to wait for the engine to really start pulling when you put your foot down hard.


1.5 E-Tech

16-e-tech-plug-in-hybrid-160

This is an area where the Captur does well. Even the entry-level SE Limited trim won’t leave you feeling short-changed, as it comes with 17in alloy wheels, cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, power-folding door mirrors, keyless entry and air-conditioning.&nbsp;

Even so, we’d suggest jumping up to our favourite Iconic trim because the price difference isn’t very big and you get extra niceties, including automatic air-conditioning, automatic windscreen wipers and automatic high-beam headlights.

We wouldn't go for S or R.S. Line Edition&nbsp;because these range-topping trims are&nbsp;too pricey. If you're going to splash that sort of cash, you'd be far better off with a Puma or T-Roc.

The Renault Captur&nbsp;was launched with the kind of perfect timing that would impress a&nbsp;Swiss train driver. It wasn't the first small SUV, but it was early enough to ride the crest of a wave that's become a flood of high-riding compact cars.

A big part of the Captur’s success has been its combination of distinctive looks and a splash of customisation. That helped the first-generation model stand out from the crowd, and&nbsp;for this second-generation Captur, Renault&nbsp;has stuck&nbsp;with the same theme.

While it might look similar to the original on the outside, it's a completely different ball game on the inside and underneath. There are plusher interior plastics, for example, and the Captur has had a slight growth spurt over its predecessor, so there's now more space for passengers and their luggage.

Under the bonnet, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a>&nbsp;gives you a choice of petrol engines, with power outputs ranging from 89bhp to 158bhp, and hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The punchiest power figure belongs to the E-Tech&nbsp;plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which combines a petrol engine with an electric motor to reduce emissions and allow you to do some electric-only driving.&nbsp;

So, whether you already own an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/captur/hatchback/used-review/n845">original Captur (2013-2019)</a> or are thinking about buying one for the first time, it's worth looking beyond the latest car's&nbsp;familiar looks. There are plenty of changes for us to discuss.

That’s no bad thing, given how competitive the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-suv">small SUV category</a> is, with the keen-handling <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a>, the spacious <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kamiq/hatchback/review/n19999">Skoda Kamiq</a>&nbsp;and the comfort-oriented <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n17376">Volkswagen T-Roc</a> among the rivals to consider.

Should the Renault Captur&nbsp;be on your shortlist, though? That’s what this review will tell you. Read on to find out how it compares with&nbsp;its rivals, what the best engine and trim combinations are, what the performance is like, how good the interior is, how much it will cost to run and more.

That’s not all we can offer, either. We can help you find&nbsp;great savings off the list price&nbsp;of most new makes and models without any haggling when you use&nbsp;our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car?&nbsp;New Car Buying service</a>.&nbsp;It has lots of excellent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault/captur/hatchback/deals">Renault Captur deals</a>.

There's less head room in the front of the Renault Captur than there is in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kamiq/hatchback/review/n19999">Skoda Kamiq</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-cross/estate/review/n19039">VW T-Cross</a>. It's&nbsp;still okay for six-footers, though, and because the interior is relatively&nbsp;broad,&nbsp;you won’t be rubbing shoulders with your passenger.

As for storage, there’s a big tray in front of the gearlever, although we wish the cubby under the central armrest was bigger.

The Captur’s steering is precise enough and&nbsp;light around town, but it doesn't build&nbsp;weight&nbsp;reassuringly at faster speeds,&nbsp;so you're never as confident along twisty roads as you would be in a Puma or T-Roc. We aren't&nbsp;blown away by its&nbsp;turning circle, either. Some rivals are more manoeuvrable when you need to execute a quick U-turn.

It's not just the steering that lets the Captur down. It lacks the outright grip and agility of the Puma, which is the best-handling car in the class. That said, there's less&nbsp;body lean&nbsp;than you'd&nbsp;experience in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c3-aircross/hatchback/review/n17381">Citroën C3 Aircross</a>.

The E-Tech hybrid Captur is a little more weighty, but that’s nothing compared with the plug-in hybrid model, which is a fair bit heavier due to its larger battery pack. That makes the car feel a little less agile than in petrol guise, although the standard car isn't exactly a barrel of laughs anyway.

Entry-level Play models get a 7.0in landscape-oriented infotainment touchscreen that’s mounted high up on the dashboard. It comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and built-in sat-nav. The icons are a touch small and the screen could be sharper and more responsive. &nbsp;

If you opt for R.S. Line trim or the plug-in hybrid E-Tech, you'll get a larger (9.3in) portrait touchscreen that can show more information. It's better than the smaller screen, but we still rate the system in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/countryman/hatchback/review/n71">Mini Countryman</a>, with its rotary iDrive controller, as the best in the small SUV class.

Hatchback

Hatchbacks, SUVs, fast cars, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of them all is the design, with its cars now having a distinctive look that has won the firm a legion of fans for its flair and charm.

To drive and to own, the line-up is typically decent rather than outstanding. Best of the cars when they are rated against rivals are the Kadjar SUV, the fast RS models and the electric Zoe.

With new and used pricing also keen – and Target Price discounts through our New Car Buying marketplace usually more generous than most – there is the opportunity to negotiate an appealing price.

RENAULT

CAPTUR

The Renault Captur range kicks off with the TCe 90, an 89bhp turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol that comes exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox. Sadly, if you're&nbsp;hoping for the peppiness you get from a similarly powerful <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/arona/hatchback/review/n117">Seat Arona</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kamiq/hatchback/review/n19999">Skoda Kamiq</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-cross/estate/review/n19039">Volkswagen T-Cross</a> (they&nbsp;all share the same 1.0 TSI 95 petrol engine)&nbsp;you'll find it disappointingly sluggish. There's&nbsp;very little urgency unless you work it hard.

That's why we'd recommend the TCe 140, a 138bhp 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol&nbsp;available with a manual or automatic gearbox. It's not as quick as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a> 1.0 Ecoboost 155 MHEV&nbsp;but still provides surprisingly brisk acceleration, with 0-60mph in around 10 seconds.

The E-Tech Hybrid 145 and more powerful 158bhp E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (PHEV) are automatic only. The PHEV is the quickest Captur, officially hitting 0-62mph in a lively 8.6sec. It has a claimed electric-only range of around 30 miles.

The E-Tech Hybrid 145 is best suited to trundling along in town traffic at low speeds without needing the engine. In urban environments, it's punchy enough, and isn’t that much slower from 0-62mph than the TCe 140, although acceleration trails off a bit when the engine is engaged to get you up to motorway speeds.

Good on safety and equipment but there are more appealing alternatives

Even with its sliding rear seat bench pushed all the way back, space in the back of the Captur is adequate rather than amazing. A six-footer will find their head is rather close to the roof, and knee room will be tight if there’s someone of a similar&nbsp;height sitting in front. Not helping matters, the roof&nbsp;curves in at the side, so even if your rear passengers aren't that tall, it feels more claustrophobic in the back than many rivals. 

When you try to fit three adults in the back, it'll be a squeeze, although&nbsp;the middle passenger will appreciate the decent amount of foot space created by the Captur’s flattish floor.&nbsp;It’s also worth pointing out that&nbsp;E-Tech hybrid models are just as spacious as non-hybrid versions. If you want more rear space, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/countryman/hatchback/review/n71">Mini Countryman</a>&nbsp;and the Kamiq are&nbsp;your best bets.

For the most part, the Captur proves acceptably calm and civilised. The TCe 140 only makes itself heard when you work it hard, and while the less powerful TCe 90 transmits more engine vibration up through the pedals and steering wheel, it's also fairly hushed.&nbsp;

In electric-only mode, the E-Tech hybrid and plug-in hybrid are remarkably quiet, emitting little more than some slight motor whine. When needed, the petrol engine chimes in quietly, although the switchover between power sources isn’t as smooth as in some rivals, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/niro/estate/review/n17190">Kia Niro</a> PHEV. The engine remains hushed during gentle acceleration but does sound a bit coarse when you really put your foot down.

Road noise isn’t too annoying, but the Puma and T-Roc suffer from less wind noise at speed and also have much slicker manual gearshifts, compared with the Captur's&nbsp;long and rather vague action. The automatic gearboxes can be hesitant when pulling away&nbsp;but change gear smoothly on the move.

The second-generation Captur is too new to appear in the 2021 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey-brands/n23418">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>, but Renault as a manufacturer performed averagely well – it came 16th (out of 30 brands) in the overall league table. For comparison, Skoda finished in 12th place and Ford joint 27th.

Every new <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a> comes with a five-year warranty, with no mileage limit for the first two years, but a 100,000 limit after that. You also get three years (or 60,000 miles) of roadside assistance cover.&nbsp;

The battery in E-Tech hybrid and plug-in hybrid models is covered for up to eight years (with a 100,000-mile limit).

The Captur – like the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/stonic/estate/review/n116">Kia Stonic</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/juke/hatchback/review/n45">Nissan Juke</a> – doesn’t deal with pockmarked urban road surfaces particularly gracefully. The heavier E-Tech hybrid Captur and plug-in hybrid are arguably the worst of the range, when it comes to potholes, but even those won’t shatter your spine.&nbsp;

The ride improves as you build speed, but never completely settles. It fidgets, even on a smooth-looking section of motorway, and over bigger dips and crests it can get a bit bouncy. Our tip is to try to avoid the bigger 18in wheels, which make matters even worse.

If ride is particularly important to you, it’s worth turning your attention to the best-riding <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-suv">small SUVs</a>, which include the Kamiq and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n17376">Volkswagen T-Roc</a>.

The Renault Captur's starting price makes it one of the cheapest mainstream <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-suv">small SUVs</a>, undercutting the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n20838">Ford Puma</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/t-roc/hatchback/review/n17376">Volkswagen T-Roc</a>. Getting a version that we actually recommend (our favourite is the TCe 140 Icon) pushes the price up quite a bit, though. We reckon the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kamiq/hatchback/review/n19999">Skoda Kamiq</a> is your best bet if you're looking to keep costs down. You can make sure you're getting the best price by using our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Deals pages</a>.

Renault’s <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/car-finance-advice-and-guides">PCP finance deals</a> often come with a hefty&nbsp;manufacturer incentive to make them more competitive. That's a good thing, because the Captur's resale values aren't as&nbsp;robust as the Puma's, Kamiq's or T-Roc's. Insurance costs are not too hefty, but CO2 emissions of the petrols aren't anything to write home about.&nbsp;

The E-Tech hybrid and plug-in hybrid models are, of course, the exception to that rule, offering very low CO2 emissions. The PHEV will even do around 30 miles on electricity alone, according to official figures, and that combination will make it tempting for company car drivers wanting to keep their benefit-in-kind <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/how-is-company-car-tax-calculated/n22618">(BIK)</a> tax payments low.

All Capturs get automatic emergency braking <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a>, lane-keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition and an emergency call function (eCall). That's impressive, and we're pleased Renault hasn't skimped on safety kit with the cheaper trims.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a> awarded&nbsp;the Captur five stars (out of five) for overall safety. We drilled down into the details of its report&nbsp;and the Captur stacks up very well against the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/juke/hatchback/review/n45">Nissan Juke</a>, Skoda Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Roc for adult and child occupant protection. It wasn't quite as good as the Juke and Kamiq at protecting pedestrians, though.&nbsp;

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

You can slide the Captur’s rear bench back and forth to prioritise either boot space or rear leg room (as you can in the VW T-Cross). It's a useful feature, and while the base slides as one piece,&nbsp;the rear seatbacks fold&nbsp;in a conventional 60/40 split.&nbsp;

The Countryman is better, though. Its rear seats not only slide, but also recline, plus they split 40/20/40, giving you even greater flexibility for your seating and luggage needs.

Life with the Captur will be made easier by the fact it has decent boot space and a sliding rear bench that allows you to extend the space further when you need to.

With the back seat in its rearmost setting, a folded wheelchair will fit in the boot, and when the seats are tipped forward for maximum loading space, you’ll have no need to collapse the chair before putting it in the boot.

That said, the boot opening itself is just 670mm tall and 1020mm wide, so getting a large bulky item, including a wheelchair, into the boot is slightly trickier than it is in some rivals, such as the Juke with its 760mm by 1115mm opening.&nbsp;

There’s also a variable-height boot floor in every version bar the E-Hybrid model, and when this is in its highest position there’s virtually no boot lip for you to have to lift things over. Better still, it leaves a handy storage area beneath, for you to place valuables out of sight.&nbsp;

Evolution

evolution

Petrol/Electric Hybrid, Petrol/Plug-In Elec Hybrid, Petrol

Techno

techno

R.S. Line

rs-line

Rive Gauche

rive-gauche

Petrol/Electric Hybrid, Petrol/Plug-In Elec Hybrid

Engineered

engineered

We can see the appeal of the Renault Captur’s funky looks and affordable starting price, but by the time you get an engine with enough power coupled to the right trim, it doesn't look quite such a bargain. All the engines are relatively weak compared with those in the better-handling and better-packaged Ford Puma. The Captur isn't as comfortable or practical as a Skoda Kamiq, either.

While the Captur’s elevated driving position gives you a decent forward view, helped by thinnish windscreen pillars, the news isn't so good when looking back over your shoulder.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a> has decided to make the Captur more ‘dynamic’ looking (its words, not ours) by sweeping the window line&nbsp;up towards the back of the car. That makes seeing what's behind trickier than&nbsp;in the Kamiq and other boxier small SUVs.

To help mitigate this visibility shortfall, all models have rear parking sensors, while the high-spec S Edition, R.S. Line and plug-in hybrid E-Tech models add&nbsp;front sensors and a rear-view camera. All models have full LED headlights, which provide good visibility at night.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Running costs that won’t break the bank </li> <li>Generous kit</li> <li>Pokey engine and tidy handling</li> <li>Spacious interior</li> <li>Boot big enough to cope with family life</li></ul>

The car-buying public has fallen in love with small SUVs, or crossovers as they’re often called, with thousands turning away from conventional hatchbacks in favour of something that rides that little bit higher.

The original baby SUV is the Nissan Juke, which remains a popular choice, but there are plenty of better rivals to consider instead. We’d recommend you look at either the Ford Puma or Skoda Kamiq, because they offer&nbsp;a great blend of practicality and value that keeps them&nbsp;clear of the opposition. Equally, if you’ve got more money to spend, the Audi Q2 and Volkswagen T-Roc&nbsp;are both fine choices.&nbsp;

Small SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Usefully long electric-only range</li> <li>Exceedingly frugal</li> <li>Cheap company car tax rates</li> <li>Smooth switching between electric and petrol power</li></ul>

If you're not ready to commit to a fully electric vehicle&nbsp;but have the capacity to charge your car at home or at work, a plug-in hybrid could be the perfect compromise. Electric batteries paired with a petrol or diesel&nbsp;engine means you'll never be left short of charge&nbsp;but can capitalise on cheap running costs, thanks to a surprisingly long electric-only range.

There's plenty of choice, too, whether you're after a sporty saloon like the BMW 3 Series, the 330e variant of which providing up to 36 miles of electric-only driving on a full charge, or a large load-lugging large SUV, including the Volvo XC90 T8, which claims an extraordinary&nbsp;113mpg.

Throw in competent handling and driving prowess, despite the added weight of the electric batteries, and a plug-in hybrid&nbsp;makes a compelling case for frugal buyers.&nbsp;

Plug-in hybrid

Renault Captur review

Why the overall winner won

Best small SUV

Best family car

Best small electric car

Best luxury car

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

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If the raised driving position promised by a small SUV is what you’re after, the Renault Captur will appeal to you – you sit higher up from the road than you do in a Skoda Kamiq, for example. The seat, steering wheel and pedals line up well, so you're not sitting at an odd angle. Unlike in rivals including the Ford Puma, Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Roc, adjustable lumbar support isn't available.,The air-conditioning is operated by physical controls rather than a touchscreen, which is a good thing and keeps distraction to a minimum. You get standard analogue instrument dials on most models, which are replaced by a 7.0in digital display in S Edition cars or a 10.0in one in the E-Tech hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.,,While the Captur’s elevated driving position gives you a decent forward view, helped by thinnish windscreen pillars, the news isn't so good when looking back over your shoulder.Renault has decided to make the Captur more ‘dynamic’ looking (its words, not ours) by sweeping the window line up towards the back of the car. That makes seeing what's behind trickier than in the Kamiq and other boxier small SUVs.,To help mitigate this visibility shortfall, all models have rear parking sensors, while the high-spec S Edition, R.S. Line and plug-in hybrid E-Tech models add front sensors and a rear-view camera. All models have full LED headlights, which provide good visibility at night.,,Entry-level Play models get a 7.0in landscape-oriented infotainment touchscreen that’s mounted high up on the dashboard. It comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and built-in sat-nav. The icons are a touch small and the screen could be sharper and more responsive.  If you opt for R.S. Line trim or the plug-in hybrid E-Tech, you'll get a larger (9.3in) portrait touchscreen that can show more information. It's better than the smaller screen, but we still rate the system in the Mini Countryman, with its rotary iDrive controller, as the best in the small SUV class.,,Although the Captur has a dashboard that’s pleasingly squishy in places, with more soft-touch plastic than you get in the hard and unyielding interiors of the Volkswagen T-Cross and Seat Arona, the rest of the Captur’s interior plastics look and feel a bit cheap. The Kamiq and even the Ford Puma feel more robust inside.If you go for the plug-in hybrid E-Tech or R.S. Line trim, you'll get a steering wheel wrapped in genuine leather rather than the fake stuff. That helps make the Captur feel a little more upmarket, but not by enough to trouble the Nissan Juke and cheaper Skoda Kamiq, while the Audi Q2 and Countryman are the best options in this class if you want to experience proper plushness.

Review of Renault Captur interior by the expert What Car? team. Compare in car entertainment system, driving comfort and visibility with similar cars.

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

Renault Captur review

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