Renault Captur 1.5 dCi 90 CV, road test (Engine, performance, handling and consumption)

SUVs are in fashion, something no car manufacturer is missing, and it also seems that, despite the crisis, this segment continues to maintain a good number of sales. A few years ago, few brands had a crossover in their line-up, but now things have changed, and almost all of them have a model aimed at covering this trend.

Two of the latest arrivals on the market have been the Peugeot 2008 and the Renault Captur, two models derived from a city car but with a more rugged look and more interior space. Today we take the wheel of the Renault Captur equipped with the 90 CV diesel engine, a car that combines an eye-catching design, a fuel-saving engine and enough space for five adults inside.

Engine and performance

The most powerful engine in the Captur’s diesel range is this 1.5 dCi with 90 CV. It is well known within the Renault Group, as it is also fitted to the Clio, Megane, a Dacia and a Nissan. The problem is that the 105 CV version, also derived from the 1.5 dCi, is not available on the Captur, so this 90 CV feels somewhat limited.

Getting down to business, the 1461 cc engine delivers 220 Nm of torque from low revs, specifically from 1,800 rpm it already starts pulling strongly. The power delivery is linear and smooth, we notice no sudden jerks, and it keeps sending power to the front axle up to 4,000 rpm.

The engine responds well in most cases. It also has ECO mode, activated by a button on the central console, which cuts the throttle response so that acceleration is gentler and more progressive, helping to improve fuel consumption. Even with the ECO button turned off, it is a calm powertrain, which in a car like a Renault Clio is more than sufficient, but when it has to move the Captur with its 4.2 metres and 17-inch wheels, it feels somewhat limited.

When overtaking or merging onto a motorway, these are the typical situations where a more powerful diesel engine would not go amiss. That said, for getting around the city or on day-to-day roads, it is more than adequate.

The gearbox has five speeds, there is no sixth and none is needed, since the gears are long and at 120 km/h we are at around 2,200 rpm. That said, the shift feel of the gearbox could be better and is typical of a city car.

The brakes are discs at the front and drums at the rear, and the rear drums in particular stand out. The car brakes safely and effectively, but at this point, and with a car of this size, rear drum brakes are not the most recommendable option.

Handling

The Captur has a smooth ride -as well as a very comfortable driving position-, with a rather firm suspension for its height, achieving a high level of stability. Meanwhile, its dynamic performance is limited by certain inertias inherent to the bodywork and its height.

On motorways or main roads, it is a comfortable and composed car, while on a mountain pass it behaves correctly but is limited by those inertias. We are also surprised that it comes with stability control as standard but not traction control.

Where it really shines is in the city, as its elevated driving position and good turning angle make manoeuvring in urban areas no problem for the Renault Captur. And although it has no traction system or any element that improves grip on difficult surfaces (such as the Grip Control of Peugeot), it is a car that can handle dirt tracks or difficult terrain thanks to its height. It is a pity that Renault has not included any system that improves traction on difficult surfaces, as it would add even more versatility to the car.

The brakes are rear drums and front discs; the car brakes well, but at this point rear disc brakes would be missed.

Consumption

The engine is not a performance unit, but it is very economical in terms of consumption. Despite the dimensions of the car or the 17-inch wheels on our test unit, the Captur with its 90 CV diesel engine achieved an average motorway consumption of 4.2 litres per 100 km.

In the city it is easy to hover around 6 litres per 100 km, while on the motorway the figure rises slightly due to the lack of a sixth gear (at 120 km/h it runs at 2,200 rpm), but even so, on our usual route it settled at 5.2 litres per 100 km.

In the second part of this test we will analyse one of the Captur’s standout features, its look, both exterior and its distinctive interior with practical solutions not seen in other similar models.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverRenault Captur26 versions · from 22,900 €