With an excellent mix of popular products ranging from the budget Kwid and Kiber to the well-liked Duster SUV and more, Renault is firmly established as the largest distributor of French cars in South Africa. Now, the new Captur adds fresh sophistication to the brand’s local crossover line-up.
South Africa may make up barely 1% of the global automotive new car sales pie, but the local industry is one of the most concentrated globally, as no fewer than 45 brands compete for market share.
Local buyers are a picky bunch, too. We demand quality, excellent customer service, and price competitiveness in equal measure, and we often display irrational brand loyalty.
With nine product ranges (only a handful of other brands offer more), Renault covers several key segments, including the ridiculously competitive compact crossover/SUV market, where the Captur has been at the forefront of the brand’s local sales offensive since 2015.
CAPTUR THE POWER
Although the all-new Captur made its market debut in Europe in 2019, Renault introduced it here last month, with fresh styling, improved power and handling characteristics, and more technology.
The Captur has always been a decent product – punching above its weight as a stylish (perhaps even quirky) alternative to the norm – although it lost ground to competitors offering more power and better value at similar ticket prices.
While also available in other markets with the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that powers the Clio here, the new Captur now sports Renault’s 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol mill serving a healthy 113 kW and 270 Nm of torque, all directed to the front wheels via a seven-speed DCT automatic. That’s a far cry from the first-generation Captur that mustered a slight 77 kW (or 84 kW, depending on the grade).
Renault claims a respectable fuel consumption figure of 6.6-l/100 km and a zero to 100 km/h sprint time of 9.6 seconds.
FRENCH FLAIR
Underpinned by advanced design with a unique French flair, the experience inside the new Captur is sublime and feels much larger than its compact exterior dimensions suggest.
Although driving time was limited in and around the Hillcrest and Umhlanga areas of KwaZulu-Natal where the car was launched (look out for a comprehensive review once we’ve had the car on test), I was impressed by the comfortable seats and quality of fit and finish.
Stand-out design elements inside the new Captur include the slightly curved 9.3” infotainment touchscreen and a floating centre console that raises the gear lever to within easy reach. On the connected side, the Renault EASY LINK multimedia system presents an intuitive multimedia experience with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (an onboard navigation system is also included), while six high-efficiency airbags, ABS brakes with emergency brake assist, and EBD, among other aspects, contribute to the car’s five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
Practicality is highly valued in this market segment, and on that front, the Captur fares well against its closest rivals. Some 404 litres of standard boot space is extendable to 1,275 litres, while as much as 27 litres of stowage space is available for the occupants.
LAST WORD
Renault has consistently delivered excellent hatch-based products, and the new Captur is no exception, offering typically European levels of ride comfort and build quality in a segment that often sacrifices such aspects on the altar of cost competitiveness.
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © RENAULT SOUTH AFRICA
