The Renault Captur has received a facelift, and the changes are immediately noticeable as soon as you open the driver’s side door. The design cues borrowed from the Clio make this car one of the more visually appealing options in its class, with Renault aiming to give it a more modern and upmarket feel.
The highlight of the cabin is the new 10.4-inch vertical touchscreen, which is integrated with Google and runs Renault’s latest OpenR Link infotainment platform. This system brings a host of new connectivity functions and wireless smartphone mirroring as standard. The interface is user-friendly, with important features like maps, vehicle controls, phone, and music easily accessible at the top of the screen. The display is bright and clear, making tasks like map reading a breeze. Additionally, physical volume buttons on the top of the screen add a nice touch.
However, there are some downsides to consider. The rear camera quality is lacking compared to rivals like Ford and Hyundai. Renault has also replaced the traditional climate control dials with smaller piano key-style switches, similar to the ones found in the Megane. While these switches work well, some may miss having the climate controls separate from the screen.
Upon closer inspection, the interior of the Captur falls short in terms of tactile quality. Some surfaces and fixings feel cheap and hard, detracting from the overall perceived quality of the cabin. The shifter for the automatic transmission is particularly flimsy and can rattle around when shifting gears, which is a surprising oversight considering the attention to detail in other areas of the car.
In terms of space, the Captur lags behind class leaders. The smaller Clio actually offers more maximum headroom, and the sunroof fitted to some models further reduces headspace. The rear seats are spacious enough for taller adults, but legroom is limited even with the sliding bench pushed back. However, there are plenty of storage bins and trays throughout the cabin, including a useful multi-layered console with a wireless charging pad.
Boot space in the non-hybrid models is impressive, ranging from 484 litres to 1275 litres depending on the configuration of the rear seats. The hybrid model sacrifices some boot space to accommodate the drive battery, offering 326 litres with the seats in place. Overall, the Renault Captur’s facelift brings some welcome updates, but there are still some areas that could be improved for a more premium feel.
