After the success of the Duster, Renault aims to keep up the momentum with the launch of the Captur in the Nepali market. The choice is between petrol and diesel engines, and a wide price range, starting from Rs 48.14 lakhs to Rs 64.89 lakhs for the top variant. Is the Captur captivating enough to spice up the segment?
Exterior
The Captur design is quirky with the bold grille and diamond logo up front, but it still looks smart and likeable, and very urbane too. Up front we have a stylish chrome accented grille, flanked by LED headlamps with integrated daytime running lights and a primary set of C-shaped LED DRLs on the front bumper.
The SUV gets a faux silver skid plate as well along with some subtle lines on the bonnet that give the Captur an imposing stance. Over to the side, the roof swoops down to the back, making the car look shorter, while the dual tone body color adds to the sportiness of the vehicle. All this sits on a gorgeous looking set of 17-inch alloy wheels.
Interior
On the inside the Captur feels premium, the layout of the dash is funky with the usual feel-good factors such as automatic climate control, rear AC vents and a touchscreen infotainment. Sadly, there’s no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay on offer. On the safety front, the Captur gets dual airbags and ABS with EBD as standard. The top-spec Platine variant gets four airbags and safety tech such as Hill Assist and Traction Control. The rear bench gets a 60:40 split that takes the cargo volume up to 1,352 liters from an already adequate 392 liters when the seats unfolded.
Performance
Renault Captur comes with two engine choices, a 1.5-liter petrol mated to a 6-speed manual transmission that makes 105 BHp and 142 Nm of torque, and a 1.5-liter diesel engine mated to a 6-speed transmission capable of putting out 110 BHp and 240 Nm of torque. Both motors are fun to drive; they deliver adequate power for your city and highway use.
The handling is responsive and confident, and the car feels well weighted on the road. The suspension does a great job of silencing the bumps and potholes without giving feedback in the cabin. The steering wheel is light without being too light and the tight turns come easy with only the slightest of body roll thanks to the weight distribution.
Verdict
The Captur brings modern design and styling to the table, and adds luxurious touches to the interior that gives it an advantage over its rivals. The drive is admirable in all types of roads and the list of features you get is on par with the segment, if not more.
The Captur competes against the Nissan Terrano, Honda BR-V, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, its own brother the Duster and the Hyundai Creta and by the looks of it we can say that it is going to give all its rivals a hard time.
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