Used Renault Captur 2013-2019 review

In essence, the Renault Captur is no bigger than a Renault Clio but has a raised ride height and wears more fashionable attire. It proved very popular from its launch in 2013 to its replacement by an all-new version in 2019 – indeed it was Europe’s best-selling small SUV in 2016. Such success means there are now plenty of good, used examples on the forecourts.

Engines: The engine range started with a nippy-feeling 89bhp 0.9 that was ideal for use around town and was more refined than the diesels. It felt a bit out of its depth when the car was loaded up, though, and only came with a manual gearbox.

When fitted with the automatic 'box, the 118bhp 1.2-litre engine car is a bit hesitant, but the manual version is much smoother and offers better performance than the 0.9. In the last year of production, the 1.2 was replaced with a slightly more potent 1.3-litre petrol with either 128 or 148bhp. The 89bhp 1.5 dCi diesel feels lively enough around in urban environments, but a little underpowered on faster roads. The 109bhp 1.5 dCi is a more powerful version of the same engine with more torque for better low-end shove.

Trims and equipment: There are five well-equipped trim levels to choose from – Expression+, Dynamique Nav, Dynamique S Nav, Signature X Nav and Signature S Nav. Entry-level Expression+ trim comes with air-con, 16in alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, a DAB radio and Bluetooth.

Dynamique Nav comes with the 7in colour touchscreen infotainment and sat-nav system. Dynamique S Nav adds bigger 17in alloys. Signature X Nav adds a BOSE sound system, while top-spec Signature S Nav comes with heated part-Nappa leather seats and a rear parking camera.

Ride and handling: On the road, the Captur isn’t blessed with a particularly good ride quality. It tends to feel crashy, and patters to a surprising degree over all surfaces. Like the Clio, the Captur only comes with front-wheel drive – if you want a cheap 4x4 mud-plugger, you should look elsewhere.

Interior and practicality: Inside, the modern-looking dash has some deep cubby holes in the centre console that are useful for oddment storage. Even the lankiest of drivers will have enough head room up front, although a contemporary Vauxhall Crossland X still has more leg room.

Practicality is key in this class and, with the sliding rear seat set right, you get a reasonable 377-litre boot, extending to a healthy 455 litres with the bench slid fully forward. The sliding seat also means you can increase the space available in the back – and you might need to because the Captur isn't the most accommodating in the rear with it slid forwards.

The Captur was treated to a mild facelift in 2017, with new bumpers and chrome trim, restyled lights front and rear, and a revised dashboard inside with some soft-touch plastics.

Certainly, the Captur isn't going to whet the appetite of a keen driver. Think of it instead as a solid, dependable and immensely practical used buy.

If you're interested in finding a used Renault Captur, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

You can buy a 2013 Captur for under £3000 at the time of writing, but many of these will be high mileage machines or repaired Cat D cars. It’s better to spend around £5000-£7000 and get a good condition 2015 car with average mileage for the year from an independent dealer. Step up to between £7000 and £9000 and you can bag yourself a 2017 car from an independent or franchised dealer with a full history and a low mileage. If you fancy something newer, then £9000 will find you plenty of 2019 examples in a variety of trim and engine options, with some of the last examples built going for around £10,000. These are likely to be listed as 2020 cars.

Check the value of a used Renault Captur with What Car? Valuations

MPG

Naturally enough, it’s the diesel-engined cars that are the most economical. The 1.5 dCi 90 versions return an overall consumption of 78.5mpg, according to the NEDC tests that were prevalent at the time, while the more punchy 1.5 dCi 110 returns 76.4mpg.

The 0.9 TCE 90 petrol engine returns a combined figure of 55.4mpg, but the larger 1.2 isn't too far off this, at 51.4mpg. In 2019, the 1.2 was superseded by the bigger 1.3-litre petrol, and while the 44.1mpg figure of that car appears disappointing, this newer engine was tested under the more stringent WLTP standards that better represent real-world driving.

CO2 emissions

Both the 90 and 110 versions of the 1.5 dCi diesel sneak under the 100g/km threshold at 95 and 98g/km, respectively. The petrol range isn't too bad when compared with its rivals. The 0.9 TCE emits 114g/km, the 1.2 TCE puts out 125g/km, and the 1.3 TCE produces just a touch more at 128g/km.

Road tax (VED)

Cars registered before April 2017 will have their VED calculated based on CO2 emissions, which are low with the Captur, meaning it shouldn't cost you much. Models registered after that date will attract the current flat fee of £180 per year, which applies to all petrol and diesel cars. To find out more about the latest road tax costs, click here.

Insurance and servicing

Insurance costs are reasonable as it falls into lower groups. Servicing plans are available for used Capturs that are less than 12 months old. You can get a three-year/30,000 mile plan at £449, a longer four-year/40,000 mile policy for £699, or a four-year/60,000 mile deal that includes an extended warranty for £999. For anything over 12 months old, there are budget (two services), standard (four services) or premium (four services plus one air filter, one diesel fuel filter or a set of spark plugs, and one brake fluid change) plans for £299, £459 and £699 respectively.

Reliability

The Renault Captur presents a decent yet mixed reliability portrait, based on real-world owner reviews analyzed in our annual What Car? Reliability Survey.

Owners appreciate the Captur for its general dependability in daily use, though concerns arise with electrical systems and engine components, including faulty warning lights and engine faults. Dealer service experiences also vary, with some owners praising efficient and courteous handling of repairs under warranty, while others express frustration over lengthy diagnostics and unresolved issues upon return.

This balance of satisfaction and room for improvement highlights the Captur's position in the reliability spectrum.

To delve deeper into the reliability of the used Renault Captur, visit our dedicated reliability page.

Engine

The 0.9 feels nippy enough for most purposes. It might only be the entry-level engine, but it's ideal for what most people will use the Captur for. If you plan to cover a lot of miles in your Captur, consider the 1.5 dCi 110. It has a bit more performance to sustain a decent cruising pace on the motorway.

Trims

Dynamique Nav is our preferred trim because it comes with the 7.0in colour touchscreen infotainment and sat-nav system. It also adds removable seat covers and climate control that can be set to automatically maintain a set interior temperature.

Our favourite Renault Captur: 0.9 TCE 90 Dynamique Nav

The Captur now sits in a huge and thriving class of used small SUVs, which includes pricey premium products from Audi and BMW as well as less expensive used cars, including three we've singled out here.

The Suzuki Vitara is a similar size to the Captur. It’s good to drive, has a practical interior and is well equipped. Its CO2 emissions are quite high, though.

The Kia Soul is spacious inside, well equipped and decent to drive. Its steering isn’t the most communicative, though, and, like the Vitara, its CO2 emissions are quite high.

The Suzuki Ignis is slightly smaller overall, but it’s very good value for money, and is fun to drive and well equipped. The ride is rather firm, though, and it’s noisy at speed.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

If you're interested in finding a used Renault Captur, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.