Some readers will, without doubt, have little or no idea what a crossover is when it comes to the artistic world of real motoring. In simple English it is part sports utility vehicle, part multi-purpose vehicle and part hatch. Within this concept the Captur really seems ideally set up to appeal to a broad mass of motorists who need to carry five people and luggage in an environment – yes, an environment – somewhat aloof from, divorced from, the ordinary motorist who may still be meandering along in a sub-standard old machine, be it an early Ford Anglia or even a ubiquitous Hillman Minx.

Before you old car enthusiasts take umbrage I am merely being anecdotal, for I know the keen pleasure that can be derived from driving vehicles without the contemporary fad, which allows electronics to more or less drive the car instead of the human behind the wheel.

Whether we agree or not is neither here nor there. People have written that Captur is aimed at young, probably upwardly-mobile executives or family types eager to establish themselves on some sort of motoring ladder. What a load of rubbish! Captur ‘captures’ the eyes and then the hearts of people of all ages who happen to think, as I do, that Renault seldom go for a niche market when in fact they produce some slightly off-beat but thoroughly enjoyable, if not actually delectable, motoring challenges.

Having said all that, I will now say that in the modern idiom the Captur is a pleasure to look at, eye-catching in the extreme and, once one is behind the wheel and comfortably set up for movement, this new Renault is absolutely on the button, providing ample opportunity for drivers of either sex to really extend themselves in timely fashion and push the whole driving experience to possibly very new levels.

There are many local motorists who simply go for the largest MPVs because there is a general preconception that the larger the vehicle the safer it must be for all the occupants if something truly untoward happens. Factually this is something of a myth, but it does make total sense in the Captur context for people who like a grand-looking passenger vehicle that handles like a normal four/five seat car but has the advantages of the crossover without any of the disadvantages that a poorly-contrived vehicle would have.

It ‘captures’ the eyes and then the hearts of people of all ages

Captur is easy to get into and out of. The doors are comfortably large, the ride height not only great for motoring in inclement weather, but the car is not set too high for shorter adults to find difficulty in getting into or out of, or uncomfortable. The actual height of the driver’s chair means that visibility is really rather good, and to add to the enjoyment the rear-facing camera that we had on board our test car made reversing into and out of restricted, in other words ‘normal’, parking lots neither demanding nor tedious.

Company blurb states that Captur is “agile, dynamic and elegant”. Frankly, we agree totally. Elegance comes from the design parameters that seem entirely in balance.

The agility of the vehicle comes into play when the steering has strange demands made on it and the car is then expected to clamber, climb or simply manoeuvre in a somewhat unusual manner. Dynamic, a pleasantly-subjective word, sums up all the parts and can then stand by itself.

So, what of the car itself? It is safe in the hands of any contented motorist because, apart from the crumple zones, airbags and seat belts, the passenger cell is pretty well a class beater in many journalists’ opinion. It will brake hard and fast and not fall off poorly-constructed or mudcovered tarmac easily.

The climate control ensures that with the windows closed great-aunt Fanny won’t complain of being too hot, and the isofix passenger seat attachments can always be used as a ‘threat’. Electric windows are found front and rear. One finds a space-saver spare wheel rather than a ‘gunge bottle’ and electric pump, even if it fits into the cigar lighter socket.

The rear sensors are a good ‘bleeping’ idea and so is the navigation system, a must for all of you who have never bothered to explore our wonderful island home. Obviously Renault caters for all normal motorists who use the radio, Bluetooth and AUX/USB.

I settled in well with the start/stop function and was most relieved to find that by driving in ECO mode I could be more frugal with the use of fuel and in fact drive in the approved 21st-century manner.

The LED daylight running lights are a normal EU requirement on modern cars.

Verdict

Comfort
Five people can waft around all day without complaining.

Performance
It does exactly as expected with no complaints.

Cool
With these looks it is unbeatable.

Quality
In class almost unbeatable.

At a glance

Top speed
106 mph (purely academic).

0-100km/h
13.1 seconds.

Economy
76.4 mpg (Combined).

C02
95 g/km.

Engine
Common rail injection, turbocharged, Euro 5, four cylinders, eight valves. The engine is rated at 1461 cc, shoves out 90 bhp at 4000 rpm with 220 Nm Iso at only 1750 rpm, a nice torquey engine.

Dimensions
Will it park easily? Length 4122 mm, width without door mirrors 1778 mm, height only 1566 mm and carrying capacity with the rear seats folded 1235 litres.

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