The Renault Captur Beat the Class Leader in a Direct Test — Genuinely
All three reviews treat value and practicality as this car's real selling points, and at least one head-to-head test found it actually winning against the segment's most popular rival.
The Underdog That Occasionally Wins Outright
Being cheaper than the class leader is one thing. Actually beating it in a direct comparison is another, and that's exactly what happened when this car was pitted against Britain's best-selling small SUV.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Small SUV / crossover |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.0L TCe petrol (90bhp), E-Tech hybrid (160bhp) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual or clutchless automatic (hybrid) |
| 0–60mph | 12.1 sec (TCe 90) / 8.9 sec (hybrid) |
| Boot space | 484 litres (petrol), less on hybrid |
| Price range (new) | From around £22,000 |
Full Review Summary
Autocar
Autocar praised the new Google-integrated touchscreen as a genuine step up from the previous, laggier system, with physical piano-key climate switches retained below the screen — a deliberate, welcome choice they contrasted favourably against rivals removing physical controls entirely. They found interior tactile quality inconsistent, singling out a particularly flimsy-feeling automatic gearstick that rattles in its housing, and rated the handling as intuitive and easy to place in corners without ever being genuinely engaging for a keen driver.
What Car?
What Car? measured the base TCe 90 engine's 0-60mph at a lengthy 12.1 seconds, recommending the E-Tech hybrid instead for anyone wanting genuinely adequate performance, with an 8.9-second 0-62mph time that beats several direct rivals. They noted the hybrid system pauses briefly while deciding how to blend power sources under harder acceleration, and flagged the lack of adjustable lumbar support as a specific comfort shortfall compared with the Ford Puma.
Carwow
Carwow rated practicality as a genuine strength, with a petrol-version boot larger than both the Toyota Yaris Cross and Peugeot 2008, expanding further with the sliding rear bench. They praised the Google-based infotainment as among the best in the small SUV class, quick and slick enough that some owners might not bother connecting their phone at all, and rated cabin ambience as smart if a little dark, suggesting lighter upholstery or a panoramic roof as worthwhile options for buyers wanting a brighter interior.
Strengths
- Genuinely spacious, versatile boot for the class
- Excellent, fast-responding Google-based infotainment
- Strong value relative to key rivals
- Comfortable, well-adjustable driving position
Weak points
- Base petrol engine feels genuinely slow
- Inconsistent interior tactile quality in places
- No adjustable lumbar support available
- Hybrid system can hesitate under harder acceleration
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who want genuine practicality and value without needing the driving experience to be exciting. Choose the E-Tech hybrid over the base petrol unless you're genuinely price-constrained, since the performance gap between them is significant.