Test Drive: Renault Captur TCe 120 EDC - Renault's is out to capture the compact crossover market

The Renault Captur that I tested here is a something we call a Compact Crossover or a B segment SUV. Like most small SUVs in this category, it is based on a B segment sized car. It is actually based on the fourth generation Renault Clio compact car which has been made slightly longer, wider and taller. Here in Malaysia, there is one model in the Captur lineup, the Captur TCe 120 EDC.

What all those alphabets and acronyms actually mean is that this is a Captur that has a turbocharged 1.2liter 4 cylinder engine which makes 120PS (actually more like 118PS) and 190Nm torque which powers its front wheels via a 6 speed Efficient Dual Clutch transmission unit (hence the 'EDC' in the name). It also has 5 doors and looks like a slightly larger and very much taller Renault Clio. Whilst based on the Clio hatchback, it does not have the slightly hidden rear door handles like the Clio Mk4.

Once inside the Captur, you will recognise the Renault Clio DNA in it. It has the same meter cluster style and the same overall styling of most Renaults too. You get the same credit card style key which you insert in a slot at the base of the centre console. You also get the same steering wheel, buttons and switches. Everything is mounted taller since it is an SUV. The seat height allows one to just slide in and out of the car instead of dropping down a little in the Clio. Suitable for people who want things easy.

Of course, as its a Renault, it is French. Some bits and bobs are still quirky and should have needed more thought during the design process. Like the audio controls, still behind the steering wheel on a stalk that would actually graze my left knee when I enter the car. The steering wheel, whilst it is a nice size and all, the area where you wrap your thumb to grip the wheel at the quarter to three position is hard plastic instead of a nice tactile bit of leather or soft plastic. It also does not wrap around but ends abruptly. It looks nice and all, but I do think that you need something nice and tactile to the touch instead of what is offered here. There are also the shift release button on the gear shift knob. A little too much gap between it and the knob leaving a small space for you to note that there should be no gap there in the first place. Of course, if you're not the type of driver who fondles gearknobs in order to pass time during traffic jams then you wouldn't notice the small flaws like this. The dashboard is alright, dimpled texture making it feel nicer to hold than just plain hard plastics. Most of the switchgear is good to touch and the touchscreen and its layout easy to use once you are familiar with it.

Anyway, aside from that I actually found the passenger cabin to be quite practical and it could comfortably seat four (five is the usual squeeze) with space for luggage. Whilst based on the Clio, it does have more interior space as well as boot space due to its extra headroom and slightly longer and wider stance. The interior is chic and modern with all the necessary goodies for the occupants to play around with.

So how does it drive?

Quite well actually. It will not win anything in the handling contest as it is still a compact SUV. It does ride pretty well around town with more than adequate damping to cater to most of the bumpier road surfaces in town. Road noise is also well suppressed and you can appreciate the extra ride height which makes it an easy car to drive around town. Good all round visibility in the Captur.

The small size and turbocharged torque make it an easy car to maneuver around town too. This car is easy to drive due to the size and performance of the 1.2liter petrol engine as well as a light steering at low speeds (not much feel though). And that dual clutch gearbox is also quick to react allowing the Captur to squirt into gaps in traffic. The turbocharged 1.2liter engine actually allows for this small capacity car to actually do a tested 0-100kmh time of 10.8 seconds (which is all down to the 190Nm worth of torque) and a tested maximum speed of around 175kmh (which is not that fast due to having only 118ps to push the car at higher engine revs). Actually the figures are pretty impressive for a car with a small engine and SUV aerodynamics (this usually means more drag than a normal hatchback).

So it is nice around town with decent enough poke from its engine to handle most situations when you are in the city centre. As well as any flash floods that may come your way. But this is not a Renault Sport Clio RS or anything close. Like the Fluence I tested earlier, it is a car meant as transport. Stylish sort of transport actually, with its modern contemporary looks and a chic looking interior with nice seat covers (which are washable). But it wouldn't be a review by Yours Truly if I didn't try to drive the heck out of it, compact crossover or not.

So I did push the Captur through a familiar route. But one which isn't as demanding as a trip up Genting Highlands. I took it window shopping to the Mitsui Outlet near KLIA. On that trip I learnt that it has good high speed, straightline stability all the way to its 175kmh maximum speed. The gearshift is fast as it is a dual clutch gearbox. The gearshift is also quite smooth even though it is a dual clutch gearbox with not much initial judder when accelerating away. It may not have pedal shifters but since this is not a performance hatchback or that sort of vehicle I do not care.

As for handling ability other than highway it is merely competent. I prefer to drive it within its limits as a compact crossover is supposed to be driven. Leisurely is best. I actually did try to fling it through a set of bumpy, undulating corners but at the limit, the suspension's rebound rates make it too bouncy to tackle the corner cleanly. Enter a corner which dips, the front end compresses, and when it decompresses (rebound), it reacts a little too quickly. Too quick a rebound requires more steering input (quicker reflexes) to sort out the car. So the best way to drive the Captur quickly is the all traditional brake before the corner, slow the car down, enter the corner and punch after you've straightened the car out. But you're not going to buy the Captur to win races aren't you? Drive it like any other small, chic urban crossover vehicle and the Captur will not disappoint you.

The thing about small SUVs or crossover vehicles like the Captur is that they usually cost more than the hatchback it is based on. Take for example the Mazda 2 based CX-3. That costs a whole lot more than the Mazda 2. Or the fact that the Honda Jazz/City is much cheaper than the HRV. Somehow Renault has actually priced the Captur cheaper than the Clio GT Line here in Malaysia – RM117,200 without insurance against RM118,000. So you can actually save some Ringgit if you chose the SUV over the standard hatchback. Of course, if you like driving fast, then you need the Clio over this.

Speaking about prices, it is actually competitive against other compact crossovers like the Honda HRV and the Mazda CX-3. It is also very well specced with a very complete SatNAV equipped infotainment unit. It has a lot of goodies and that turbocharged engine allows you to pay the government less than the 1.8liter HRV or the 2.0liter CX-3. It also looks good and offers slightly more space than the Mazda in my opinion. It also offers better interior styling than the slightly plainer Honda but that CX-3 interior is pretty hard to beat.

I suppose Renault counters with competitive pricing, high equipment specs for the Captur, as well as 5 year unlimited mileage warranty, concierge services, Tan Chong group backup and other warranty and services too. Exactly what a company that wishes to capture more customers needs to do. Yes, capture more customers for the Captur is what Renault wants to do. Do not pardon the pun here and also in the title above, folks. It was written with that in mind.

Pros: Long equipment list, good after sales and warranty package, stylish good looks, easy to drive, strong performance from a small 1.2liter engine, economical,

Cons: Some interior ergonomic and design faults, average handling

Conclusion: Practical, effortless around town. Economical (at around 8.5l/100km after hard driving). Not a RenaultSport SUV which means one should not take it by the neck and wring it like crazy. Drive normally and it performs well. Drive it like a Renault Clio RS and its will bounce its way happily all over the place. Good equipment levels and high practicality. Some plastic bits need a redesign on future models to improve tactile feel and its design faults. A commendable effort by Renault. If not it wouldn't be popular over in Europe actually.

RENAULT CAPTUR TCe 120 EDC 1.2
Specifications
TCe 120 EDC
PRICE AS TESTED
RM117,200 OTR without insurance for private buyer in Peninsular Malaysia
(RM76,088 OTR without insurance in Langkawi)

Engine
Turbo / Sequential multipoint injection 16v 4 cylinder - 1,197cc (1.2liter)
118PS / 190Nm

Gearbox
Effi cient Dual Clutch 6speed automatic

0-100kmh - 10.8secs (tested)
175kmh (tested)

Steering
Power-assisted Variable power-assisted steering

Suspension
Front McPherson type with rectangular lower arm and anti-roll bar
Rear Flexible axle with programmed deflection and spiral springs
Tyre size 17“: 205/55 R17

Weight
1180kg

Fuel Consumption

Urban cycle - 6.6liters/100km
Full cycle 5.4liters/100km
As tested 8.5liters/100km

Equipment List
ESC with ASR
Driver and passenger front airbags
Driver and front passenger head- and chest-level side airbags
3 height-adjustable rear headrests
Driver seat belt reminder
Height-adjustable driver and front passenger seat belts
3-point rear centre seat belt
Isofix 3-point seat a achment system
Side indicators
Automatic dipped headlights and windscreen wipers
Anti-lock braking system
Emergency brake assist
Space-saving emergency spare wheel
EXTERIOR DESIGN
Two-colour exterior paintwork
17” black diamond-finish alloy wheel rims
Painted door mirror casings
INTERIOR DESIGN
Dark colour scheme
Upholstery with removable covers
Leather steering wheel + gear lever knob
DRIVING
Daytime Running Lights
Rear parking distance control with reversing camera
Eco Mode
Card unlocking system with hands-free function
Heated rear window
Standard front fog lights
Electric door mirrors + electric folding function
Electric driver and front passenger windows
Electric rear passengers window
One-touch-up window on driver’s side (with anti-trapping function)
COMFORT
Regulated air conditioning
Luggage space cover
Electric door locking
Height-adjustable driver’s seat
MEDIA NAV Evolution
Radio with 4 speakers + 2 tweeters, Bluetooth®, USB
Radio integrated into Media Nav