The Renault Captur SUV gets a restyling and adopts Android Automotive

Marketed for more than four years, the second generation of Captur had to be patient before being reworked by Renault. A year after the Clio, it’s the Captur’s turn to go through the restyling box. But the wait will have been worth it, because the changes are profound. It must be said that a lot has happened at Renault in four years.

The most visible change is the front, as is often the case during restylings. While the second generation Captur only evolved gently compared to the first version, phase 2 adopts Renault’s new stylistic codes, initiated by Gilles Vidal. The front is therefore close to that of the latest Scenic E-Tech and distances itself from the Clio, which remains between the old and the new Renault design.

No more curves, at least at the front, since the profile and the rear face still exude the era of design initiated by Laurens van den Acker. Furthermore, the Captur range is now topped by the pseudo-sporty Esprit Alpine finish, which is distinguished by aesthetic elements only.

Android Automotive comes on board

Inside, there are more developments than it seems. The central screen has grown to reach 10.4″ and above all adopts the OpenR Link interface, based on Android Automotive OS, which the Clio does not benefit from. The Captur therefore accesses Google services such as Google Maps and Google Assistant, but also to numerous third-party applications accessible via the Play Store. This panel is completed by a 10.25″ instrument cluster.

For the rest, the physical controls located under the central screen have been revised, while a button dedicated to driving aids is now placed to the left of the steering wheel. As on the Scenic E-Tech, it allows you to easily find your driving aid settings, while complying with the new European GSR2 regulations, which notably require that certain aids be activated each time you start.

Renault has also eliminated animal leather from the cabin of the Captur, as the brand will do for all its models by 2025. Finally, the four USB-A sockets in the cabin make way for USB-C ports.

The very practical sliding rear seat remains, allowing up to 536 liters of trunk volume to be released for the petrol versions.

On the engine side, the Captur remains faithful to its already proposed offering, at least while waiting for the services of the next 1.2 TCe. It is therefore currently renewing its 1.0 TCe 90 hp petrol engines, also available in an LPG version of 100 hp, and 1.3 TCe micro-hybrid of 140 hp. They are associated with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.3 TCe 160 hp micro-hybrid is associated with the EDC7 double-clutch robotic gearbox.

Finally, the E-Tech full hybrid (HEV) version still offers 145 hp, transmitted to the wheels via its innovative clutch gearbox. Furthermore, a function of “predictive hybrid driving” allows the best use of the energy of its 1.2 kWh battery during its journey, based on mapping data. Surprisingly, it is offered as an option. On the other hand, the plug-in hybrid version E- Tech plug-in (PHEV) has still not officially announced its return to the range.

Finally, “in order to offer increased driving pleasure and more dynamic behavior, the running gear and the calibration of the power steering have been revised”, specifies the diamond firm. We will therefore have to check all this at the wheel of the restyled Captur, orders for which will be open this month, revealing its prices in the process. Note that a new SUV will soon arrive in the Renault range, in spring 2024. Called Symbioz, it will be positioned between the Captur and the Austral.