The original Renault Captur arrived just as demand for compact crossovers was taking off. Nissan had launched the Qashqai and its success demonstrated to manufacturers that buyers had an appetite for the crossover’s elevated driving position combined with the footprint of a five-door hatchback.

Much like another Nissan, the Juke, part of the Captur’s success must surely be attributed to distinctive looks that helped it stand out in an increasingly crowded market. It also offered a degree of customisation so buyers could tailor the car to their own tastes.

The new generation might look similar on the outside – new light clusters notwithstanding – Renault has reserved the major improves underneath and inside where you’ll find plusher plastics, better quality switchgear and upgraded digital displays. It’s also a little bigger than the outgoing model, freeing up more space for passengers and their luggage.

Powering the Captur is a range of modern engines – both petrol and diesel – with power outputs ranging from 93bhp all the way up to 158bhp. The highest power figure is provided by a plug-in hybrid version that combines a petrol engine with an electric motor to cut emissions as well as offering electric-only driving.

My review car arrived with the 99bhp turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet. It is paired exclusively with a five-speed manual gearbox. It does feel a little sluggish, something that comes as a bit of a surprise as the similarly powered Seat Arona, Skoda Kamiq and VW T-Cross, all of which share the same 1.0 TSI 95 petrol engine, are decidedly more eager.

While the ride is far from uncomfortable the Captur doesn’t shield occupants from broken road surfaces as well as the best-riding small SUVs. The ride improves as speed increases but it’s fidgety and never really settles. It can become a little bouncy over larger dips and crests and event apparently smooth roads can upset the ride.

It handles well enough, and while the light steering – ideal for driving around town – is precise it doesn’t build weight in a consistent way as the speed increases and that saps confidence when you’re faced with tight and twisty roads. Body roll is well controlled but it doesn’t take much encouragement for the front end to start to wash out as momentum overwhelms the grip available.

The interior shows splashes of quality – there’s some squishy, tactile, plastic on the upper surface of the dashboard – but you don’t have to look too hard to find cheaper-looking – and feeling – surfaces. You can brighten up the interior with the optional Colour Packs that add orange, red or blue highlights and the cabin certainly looks a more inviting place with that particular box ticked.

Entry-level Play models are fitted with a seven-inch landscape touchscreen mounted high on the dashboard. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included as standard, as is DAB radio and Bluetooth for both handsfree calls and audio streaming. Iconic trim adds sat-nav to the mix.

The on-screen buttons are a little small, particularly if you’ve got fingers the size of cucumbers and, even when you do manage to hit your target the system isn’t the most responsive. The graphics could be a bit sharper too.

Thankfully the air con is managed with physical controls

The driving position is decent and, typically in an SUV, reasonably high. There’s no adjustable lumbar support but, that aside, it was easy to get comfortable behind the steering wheel. Visibility out of the back of the car is compromised by the ascending window line but rear parking sensors are fitted as standard on mid-range Iconic cars while the S Edition adds front sensors and a rear-view camera. All models are equipped with full LED headlights.

If you’ve driven the Skoda Kamiq or Volkswagen T-Cross you might notice there’s a little less headroom in the front of the Captur. Six-footers will still fit in comfortably and the generous interior width means that you’re less likely to clash elbows with your front-seat passenger.

The rear bench slides fore and aft to free up either legroom or boot space, depending on your needs but, even in its most rearmost position, kneeroom in the back is simply adequate, particularly with a couple of six-footers riding in tandem. Taller passengers will find headroom at a premium and the tapering roofline can make it feel a little claustrophobic.

It’s a squeeze if you want to carry three people in the back although the passenger sitting in the middle will appreciate the reasonably flat floor.

Renault claim class-leading boot space for the Captur and, while that might be true, it isn’t without compromise because you’ll have to slide the rear seat all the way forward. So much for rear legroom! The rear seat folds in a conventional 60/40 split and, slid all the way back, you’ll be able to stow 422 litres of luggage in the boot. Every Captur – except the E-Tech hybrids have an adjustable height floor which, in its highest position, brings the floor level with the boot lip. It also creates a perfectly flat load area when the seats are folded down.

The new Captur is a little way behind the best riding and handling small SUVs in its class and the engine line-up is comparatively weak next to its rivals’ offerings too. It’s worth noting that, if space is top of your list of priorities, the Skoda Kamiq is substantially bigger.

It is, however, a good-looking small SUV with a fun and funky vibe though an equipment levels are generous with even the entry-level Play trim kitted out with cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, power-folding door mirrors, keyless entry and go and climate control. As usual, whether it makes its way anywhere near to the top of your shopping list – and there are plenty of reasons for it to be included somewhere – really depends on where your priorities lie.

Renault Captur TCe 100

Price: £19.095

As tested: £20,560

Engine: 999cc TCe 100 petrol

Transmission: 5-speed manual

Max power: 100hp

Max torque: 160Nm @ 2,750rpm

Max speed: 107mph

0-62mph: 13.3 seconds

Fuel consumption mpg (WLTP): 47.1

Emissions (CO2): 116g/km

For more information visit www.renault.co.uk

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