Renault Captur diesel shines in economy run

Renault Captur range is now complete with 1.5dci diesel engine and limited edition Sunset model

Renault’s Captur now comes with the famed 1.5dCi engine which has been cross-pollinated to everything from Mercedes to Nissans.  With one in eighty-five cars sold coming equipped with this engine, and in Captur spec, boasting fuel figures of just 3.6 l/100, it’s no wonder Renault held a launch specifically for this new diesel derivative.

We take on Renault’s economy challenge in the 5-speed manual Captur Diesel to see if it’s as frugal as they say, and find out if Captur will indeed captivate its potential audience.

Engine and fuel economy

It’s always interesting to see if manufacturers’ claims hold up in the real world, and as we slowly crept our way through the hilly Pretoria backroads and on to winning the economy challenge, our striking Captur Sunset (more about that later) managed to average an exceptional 2.9 l/100 till our first driver change. This was, however, pretending we were taking part in the Total Economy Run with featherlight throttle inputs and being well within the speed limit. Real world figures were closer to the manufacturer’s claims.

With a modest 66kW on tap and 220Nm from the 1.5dCi engine, we weren’t expecting fireworks. Unsurprisingly, there were none.  With a full tank and a 100kg passenger, Captur Sunset’s diesel barely had enough grunt, or just enough depending on how you look at it.  When trying to push on, the engine felt lethargic and, in our opinion, is uncompromisingly focused on economy. Not necessarily a bad thing.

Features

The features list on the new 2016 diesel Renault Captur reads the same as its siblings, bar the inclusion of the optional rear camera. Unlike some of its rivals, Captur comes standard with many features such as cornering fog lights, 7” touch screen, alloys and much more. The expected high level of interior quality is present and just to refresh your memory, Renault Captur comes with 377l of rear boot space (1235l with the seats folded).

Sunset Ltd Edition

At a whisker dearer than the standard dCi Captur, the R 292 400 Sunset edition seems like a no-brainer for the trendier buyer. Exclusivity comes standard with just 100 units being made available in South Africa. Sunset comes specced with metallic black paint and 17” diamond cut alloys. The auburn highlights of the Sunset turned a fair many heads on our route.

Just like the top of the line 88kW petrol version, the seat covers are conveniently removable and washable. The interior and exterior details might seem gaudy to some, but for those who dare to be different it expresses charm and individuality.

Verdict

Priced at R 289 900, the Renault Captur diesel offers incredible value when compared to the Ford EcoSport and Juke, especially when considering its impressively short options list. Most of its rivals offer better performance, but if performance is what you’re looking for in the Renault range, the 88kW petrol version, which costs R304 900, might be the better option.

Then there’s that class-shattering frugality which, in our mind, would be one of the main purchasing factors when opting for the pretty and chic French Captur.