Renault's baby SUV from $22,990
All-new Renault Captur joins the growing brood of compact SUVs with competitive pricing and packagingRenault has joined the burgeoning compact SUV segment Down Under with the Clio-based Captur city-crossover, priced from $22,990 plus on-road costs.
The Captur joins a 20-strong small SUV line-up in Australia, including the Holden Trax, Ford EcoSport, Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan JUKE, Subaru XV and Peugeot 2008.
It will also compete against the Honda HR-V, which officially launches here next week, and another all-new sub-$25,000 small SUV in the Mazda CX-3, which arrives next month.
On sale in Europe since mid-2013, the Captur will be offered in two model grades locally, and with the choice of two engines, each with a different transmission.
For the lower-grade Captur Expression, this means a choice of Renault’s 66kW/135Nm turbocharged 0.9-litre three-cylinder petrol engine (TCe90) and a five-speed manual transmission, or an 88kW/190Nm turbocharged 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (TCe120) and six-speed dual-clutch automatic. The more powerful ‘auto’ option adds $3000 to the recommended base price.
The latter engine and transmission combination is also offered exclusively in the high-grade Captur Dynamique, which tops the range at $27,990 plus ORCs.
Renault will not offer a diesel engine in the Captur locally, citing low demand, low fuel prices and the economy of its petrol models. In its home market, the Captur is offered with the option of Renault’s dCi90 engine, a turbocharged 1.5-litre diesel producing 66kW and 220Nm.
Both grades share their mechanical underpinnings with Renault's light-size Clio hatch and, as such, are front-wheel drive with a strut (front) and torsion beam (rear) suspension arrangement. Both trim grades are halted by disc (front) and drum (rear) brakes, a combination common in this vehicle segment.
Renault offers its entry-grade Captur Expression with a generous range of equipment as standard, much of which is optional in direct competitors.
On the list are automatic headlights and wipers, satellite-navigation, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, idle-stop, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, keyless entry, push-button start, LED daytime running lights, front and rear foglights, and Renault’s single-zone climate control system with auto recirculation function.
The standard audio system includes Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, AM/FM tuner with MP3/AUX/USB connectivity, all accessed via a full-colour 7.0-inch tablet-style touch-screen.
The high-grade Captur Dynamique adds a static cornering function to the foglights, washable and removable seat covers, two-tone paint work, chrome trim garnishes, additional window tinting and larger diameter 17-inch alloy wheels.
It also features Renault’s premium R-Link audio system with Arkamys 3D sound at no extra cost.
All model variants are equipped with an array of safety equipment, including twin front and front-side airbags (but not head-protecting rear side airbags), plus five three-point seatbelts and top-tether and ISOFIX child-seat anchor points.
The Captur achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating when tested in May 2013, but would be rated as a four-star car if it was tested using ENCAP's latest scoring regime, which requires five-star cars to have rear curtain airbags.
Optionally, the Captur is highly personalisable with a variety of solid, metallic ($800), two-tone solid ($1000) and two-tone metallic ($1800) paint colours available. Exterior trim details are likewise customisable ($250), as are the colours of the alloy wheels ($750) and interior trim garnishes ($250).
The Captur is also available with a number of removable and washable seat covers (ranging between $300 and $600) and chic interior packs with steering wheel and upholstery upgrades (ranging between $750 and $900).
Finally, the base model Captur Expression can also be optioned with Renault’s premium R-Link infotainment package from $990.
On sale this week, the Captur comes with a five-year warranty and roadside assistance program, capped-price servicing and 12-month/15,000km service intervals.
“Captur has been a global success story for Renault with over 196,000 units sold worldwide in 2014,” said Renault Australia Managing Director, Justin Hocevar.
“It’s a number that has well and truly surpassed the expectations of the company, and is proof that the light SUV segment is continuing to grow globally.”
- 2015 Renault Captur pricing (plus ORCs):?
- Expression TCe90 — $22,990
- Expression TCe120 — $25,990
- Dynamique TCe120 — $27,990
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