Renault Captur E-TECH hybrid: prices, specs and on-sale date

Renault has fully unveiled a second E-TECH hybrid version of its Captur small family SUV. The non-plug-in 'full hybrid' model joins the already-on-sale plug-in hybrid variant and uses the same drivetrain as the Clio E-TECH hybrid supermini.

The Captur E-TECH range now starts at £24,500 for the full-hybrid version in Iconic trim, increasing to £26,000 if you go for S Edition trim, or £27,695 for the R.S. Line. The new full-hybrid Captur E-TECH is available to order now, with deliveries beginning in August 2021.

The full-hybrid Captur E-TECH uses the same 138bhp engine as the Clio E-TECH, with a 1.2kWh battery offering a boost of electric power under acceleration and short periods of pure-electric running at low speeds. It's also capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in 10.6 seconds, can return up to 56.6mpg and emits 114g/km of CO2.

The plug-in hybrid variant costs from £31,195 in S Edition trim, or £31,495 for the Launch Edition models. The top-of-the-range R.S. Line plug-in hybrid also starts from £32,695; this version can also be ordered now, but deliveries won't begin until August.

Plug-in hybrid Captur E-TECHs use a 1.6-litre petrol engine, an integrated starter-generator and an electric motor fed by a 9.8kWh battery, with the setup making 158bhp in total. They're capable of driving for up to 30 miles in pure-electric mode, at speeds of up to 83mph, while an advanced regenerative braking system "always retains enough charge to move away and run at low speeds in electric mode", Renault says. The run from 0-62mph takes 10.1 seconds.

The Captur also has a single-pedal driving mode – similar to the Nissan Leaf’s e-Pedal system – for low-speed traffic, which is designed to maximise efficiency and ease of driving. Another setting can force the car to start in all-electric mode without waking the engine.

Renault claims official fuel economy of 188mpg, while CO2 emissions amount to a company-car-friendly 34g/km for the plug-in hybrid Captur. But, like all plug-in hybrids, achieving these numbers in real-world conditions will require regular charging of the battery.

A Type 2 charging socket is located on the right-rear side of the plug-in hybrid model, while cables for three-pin domestic charging and AC fast charging are provided. Renault is offering all retail buyers of the Captur plug-in a free BP Pulse home wallbox, which can top up the car in around three hours.

7

Interior

Interior equipment varies depending on the trim level you select (see more details below). The new full-hybrid Captur starts out with a 4.2-inch display in the instrument cluster and a seven-inch information touchscreen. However higher spec models come with a 9.3-inch unit and a seven-inch digital driver’s display. 

Plug-in hybrid Capturs, meanwhile, come as standard with the 9.3-inch touchscreen as well as a 10.2-inch digital display behind the steering wheel. These allow you to monitor the battery level, charging times and recovery rates for the regenerative braking.

However, every Captur has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as automated software updates and permanent 4G internet connectivity. Wireless charging is also offered, tucked away beneath a ‘floating’ centre console that releases space for a wireless charging pad or extra storage.

The basic architecture and many of the Captur’s technical features are shared with the latest Clio, and the platform used for this latest Captur generation has allowed the urban SUV to extend 110mm to offer better interior room and comfort than its predecessor.

Boot space is reduced compared to the regular petrol models due to the hybrid components, but the new full-hybrid model offers 440 litres of boot space, or up to 1,149 litres if you fold the rear seats down. The plug-in hybrid has a 379-litre boot, but the rear seats can also be folded down for up to 1,118 litres of space in this case.

7

Specifications

The new full-hybrid Captur E-TECH is available in three trim levels: Iconic, S Edition and R.S. Line. The entry-level Iconic starts at £24,500 and comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and rear parking sensors, as well as a 4.2-inch display within the gauge cluster and a seven-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and sat-nav built in. For an extra £1,500, you can upgrade to S Edition, which includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a seven-inch digital driver’s display, reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.

The new full hybrid is also available in R.S. Line trim, which adds £3,200 to the starting price compared to the Iconic model. For that, you get sportier design cues inside and out, including a new bumper, grille and 18-inch alloy wheels. R.S. Line cars also come with the upgraded 9.3-inch touchscreen.

12

The Captur E-TECH plug-in hybrid is also available in three trims: S Edition, Launch Edition and R.S. Line. The S Edition is the entry-level model in this case, with prices starting at £31,195.

For that, you get 17-inch alloys, the seven-inch touchscreen, a 10-inch digital driver’s display, front and rear parking sensors, fabric seat trim, wireless phone charging, full LED lights front and rear, automatic high-beams and a plethora of active safety systems.

For £300 more, you can upgrade to the Launch Edition, which includes 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and the 9.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, as well as blue and copper exterior detailing on the front bumper, front wing and C-pillar, blue upholstery stitching and a white dashboard insert. A Bose sound system and 360-degree parking camera are optional.

The plug-in hybrid R.S. Line starts from £32,695, or £1,500 more than the S Edition. But R.S. Line cars get special 18-inch alloy wheels and badging, redesigned front and rear bumpers, exclusive alloy wheels, a black roofline, special upholstery, a leather steering wheel with red stitching and carbon-style decorations.

Safety

The Renault Captur E-TECH secured the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash-testing; the new full-hybrid model is equipped with LED headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance and road-sign recognition. 

The Captur E-TECH also comes with Renault’s motorway and traffic assistant, which includes stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane centering. Optional equipment includes hands-free parking, lane-keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree parking camera and automatic high-beam assist for the standard LED headlights. However, these options are only available on certain models.