The article was originally produced on January 14, 2020, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Renault Captur has sold really well and now the new generation is here. We attended the test drive in Greece where a Greek turtle showed up to help.

Comparing the Captur to a turtle is perhaps not so kind, although the first generation was neither a fast nor a fun car. With lots of plastic and a non-existent premium feel, the Captur used to be a model most often associated with rental cars. Despite this, it has sold really well with over 1.2 million copies sold so something must have been done right. But now it is time for a new generation when the first one who lived since 2013 has done his part.

”The new generation Captur is a major facelift and consists of 85 percent new parts”

The test drive took place outside Athens, Greece. Thanks to generous EU support, the asphalt roads here are incredibly nice, so to feel how the Captur copes on a slightly worse road, I chose to take a dirt road up a nearby mountain. Large rainwater furrows in the road made it quite difficult for the front-wheel drive car to get ahead. But with a little persistence we made it without getting stuck or turning around. Despite the low speed, something else suddenly appeared in the middle of the road at an even lower speed. A Greek tortoise had come halfway across the road, aiming to cross before the sun went down. My knowledge of turtles is limited, but it is easy to understand that this is not a young crab, but it has certainly lived a long life with all that entails. I let the turtle cross the road in peace and quiet while taking the opportunity to take some pictures. 

The new generation Captur is a real facelift, even though it has the same launch color as the first generation. The new Captur actually consists of 85 percent new parts and shares a platform with its sibling Clio. Captur has also grown a lot; eleven centimeters in length and two centimeters between the wheel axles. Something that is noticeable with more space in the passenger compartment and cargo space. In addition, the rear seat can be pushed back and forth sixteen centimeters. 

The interior has received a major overhaul and now looks really good. Both design and material selection now actually give a premium feeling in contrast to the predecessor. If you choose the automatic transmission version, it has a nice ”floating” console where the gear selector and other controls are located. Under this console there is space where you can store your mobile phone and small items. Above the console sits a 9.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. It is the largest in the segment. So that you can shape the interior of the new Captur completely to your own taste, there are eighteen different color combinations to choose from. 

Among the safety systems we find a 360-degree camera, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic lighting, autobrake that recognizes both cyclists and pedestrians. The systems have been divided into three categories: driving, parking and safety. This system combined with good crashworthiness gave the new Captur five stars in the latest EURO NCAP test. 

On the engine side, there are a number of options. Three petrol engines and two diesels. At the time of writing, a plug-in hybrid version where the powertrain has been developed in collaboration between Mitsubishi and Nissan has also been presented. The version available at the time of the test drive had a 155-horsepower petrol engine combined with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. A very nice variant, but it is becoming rare in Sweden, where we would probably rather choose one of the weaker models. 

Whether the new Captur will sell as well as its predecessor remains to be seen. However, it is an incredibly big lift compared to the previous generation and it should be a happy discovery for those who had one before or those who are thinking about getting the new one. After driving the new Captur, it’s pretty easy to dismiss the turtle analogy. It’s neither slow nor boring, but rather sweet.

Renault Captur

Basic price	From SEK 239,900
Engine	Four-cylinder 1.6-liter engine with turbo, 155 hp. Torque 270 Nm
Transmission	Front engine, 7-speed double clutch box, front wheel drive
Acceleration	0-100 in 8.6 seconds
Top speed	202 km/h
Fuel consumption mixed driving according to the manufacturer	6.2 l/mile
Weight	1,266 kg
Guarantees	5 years
Web	www.renault.se