Renault Captur TCe 130 CV: we test the most interesting version of the new urban SUV

We got behind the wheel of the most interesting version of the new Renault Captur, the 130 CV TCe petrol, which starts at 19,600 euros.

Renault goes on sale in Spain today. A car that, let us remember, is built exclusively at the Valladolid factory for the whole world. It reaches no fewer than 70 countries across 5 continents.

On the features of the new Captur, the range line-up and even the prices, we will not go into much detail. You have specific articles dedicated to each of these topics. Here, for example, is the first hands-on contact with the new Captur range at the international presentation held in Greece, where we analysed the new Renault Captur in 7 key points.

The first generation went on sale in 2013, and since then 1,500,000 units have been sold, with the Captur leading the urban SUV segment in Europe year after year.

And here, in detail, is the range and prices of the new Captur, with the combinations of engines and trim levels, discounts, finance offers… We would only point out that, from the outset, the TCe petrol engine is offered from 16,600 euros, the 130 CV TCe from 19,600, and the 155 CV TCe from 24,100 euros. In diesel, the 95 CV Blue dCi starts at 24,400 euros, and the 115 dCi from 21,200.

In March the interesting LPG version, the Captur TCe GLP, is expected. And by summer the Renault Clio E-TECH, the plug-in hybrid variant, should be ready. The first will carry the DGT ECO label, while the second will display the ZERO label.

Second generation Captur: more SUV, more MPV

Now, this time on the occasion of the national presentation of the Captur, we have had the chance to drive, over a good number of kilometres and on all kinds of roads, what we consider the most balanced and interesting version: the Captur TCe with the 130 CV petrol engine.

The first thing to remember is that this second generation of the urban SUV from Renault is no longer so urban. Or at least, not only a car for city use, depending on the equipment and engine you choose.

Because in terms of interior space, dynamic behaviour, build quality, performance and driving feel, the new Captur can be perfectly that “car for everything” you need to use daily, but also on a weekend trip. And it maintains or even enhances some of the characteristics its buyers have highlighted as most important when deciding on this model: design, customisation options and price.

The new Captur’s driving position is now much more modern, with a design similar to that of the new Renault Clio. It stands out for ergonomics, material quality and also for the many spaces to store objects, from the huge glovebox to the tray behind the floating console where the gear lever sits, or the wireless charging zone for your mobile phone.

Renault Captur: interior images

Depending on the trim level, as an alternative to analogue instrumentation it can be equipped with a configurable digital display that is very well resolved, especially in the most complete 10.2-inch version (there is a simpler version with 7 inches). The Easy Connect system has two options, always with the screen in vertical position, which can be 7 or 9.3 inches.

They are always compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and include internet connectivity to enjoy functions such as Google search, or online checks of traffic status, fuel and its prices, etc.

Interior space is good and the seats very comfortable. The rear bench offers longitudinal adjustment of about 15 cm, which lets you modify legroom for passengers or the boot capacity, reaching up to 536 litres. The latter has very regular and usable shapes, and the floor can easily be placed at two heights.

Among the Captur’s main rivals we would highlight the new Nissan Juke, with which it shares its platform. But also the new Ford Puma, the Skoda Kamiq, the Seat Arona or the new Peugeot 2008.

Behind the wheel of the 130 CV Captur TCe

We opted for the 130 CV version of the petrol engine for several reasons. The 1-litre three-cylinder 100 CV can be a very valid option for tight budgets and mainly urban use. It responds very well and is a strong engine, and it is the only engine available with the Life trim, the entry point of the range, which allows you to get a Captur from 16,600 euros.

But at equal equipment, the 130 CV TCe engine, with 4 cylinders, 1.3 litres and direct injection, offered from the Intens trim, costs only 1,200 euros more than the three-cylinder version. And it moves the Captur far better in any situation, without compromising fuel consumption, also thanks to the more powerful one having a 6-speed gearbox, instead of the five-speed of the 100 CV.

The performance data confirm the impressions behind the wheel. Logical, not only because of the 30 extra CV. The truly important figure is torque, which determines the pushing capacity of the engine. Compared with the small engine’s 160 Nm at 2,750 rpm, the 4-cylinder TCe pushes much harder and much sooner, delivering 240 Nm from 1,600 rpm.

This translates into greater driving pleasure, as you need to change gears less. It also gives much superior acceleration and in-gear overtaking. The 3-second advantage the 130 CV TCe has over the 100 CV in acceleration, or the 10-second difference in an overtaking manoeuvre in fifth gear to go from 80 to 120 km/h, make it clear: the 130 CV TCe is “the engine”.

More advantages of the 130 CV engine: it lets you choose between two transmissions, the 6-speed manual or the 7-speed EDC dual-clutch gearbox, although only in combination with the Zen trim. The EDC gearbox costs 1,500 euros, very reasonable compared with what other brands charge for this solution. And very recommendable for how easy it makes driving, without hurting consumption.

On our test route, with a 130 EDC TCe, we found it was not difficult to stay below 7 l/100 km travelling with three occupants at a good pace, especially with the most efficient of the programmes offered by the Multi Sense driving system. Mind you, in sport mode and without taking care with the accelerator, the figure can dangerously approach double digits.

Buying a Captur and choosing an engine: petrol or diesel?

Above the 130 TCe sits the 155 CV version of this same engine, which already requires starting at the Zen trim and is offered exclusively with the EDC gearbox. Only if you are going to choose a Captur with this trim and want an automatic transmission is it worth considering it, as it costs 1,000 euros more than the 130 CV TCe EDC with the same trim. That said, in this case the performance difference is not as big as between the 100 and 130 CV versions, and the power jump seems dispensable to us.

And compared with diesels? We can only say they are wonderful and unbeatable if your main priority is consumption. But the 115 CV dCi, which would be the closest in performance to the 130 CV petrol, costs 1,600 euros more. Consider it if you will do a lot of motorway driving. If not, better the petrol, for all the reasons mentioned, because you forget about the problems of particulate filters and AdBlue, and eventually also about an expensive timing belt replacement, which diesels do have, unlike the timing chain of the petrol engines.

As for dynamic behaviour, the Captur stands out for a feel typical of a higher-segment car. The suspension is firm to control body movements, but it is not uncomfortable except over very pronounced potholes or if you do not take the precaution of slowing down enough over some speed bumps. The steering works smoothly, and the brakes perform without problems, although

Renault Captur: exterior and dynamic images

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverRenault Captur26 versions · from 22,900 €