New Renault Captur crossover vs Clio hatchback – Which one is better for you

The new Renault Captur has gone on sale in South Africa – adding yet another entry to the ever-growing crossover segment.

Crossovers are quickly becoming the country’s favourite passenger vehicles, much to the detriment of hatchbacks, as carmakers have shifted focus to the larger body type in response to consumer demand.

Given that hatchbacks have been a staple of the motoring scene for decades, car buyers are now left with the dilemma of whether or not to stick with their favourite small cars, or upgrade to the SUV body type.

In Renault’s case, the big question is whether you should opt for the new Captur, or stick with the Clio.

Engines

The Clio is available in three specifications, in comparison to the Captur’s two, though both cars are front-wheel drive with a single engine choice, so the trim levels are only differentiated by their equipment.

The hatch is equipped with a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, giving it an output of 74kW and 160Nm.

Fuel consumption for this setup works out to 5.7l/100km on an average cycle, and it can reach 100km/h in 11.8 seconds before maxing out at a top speed of 187km/h.

The Captur, meanwhile, is powered by a larger 1.3-litre turbo-petrol unit with 113kW and 270Nm, which is married to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The higher power ceiling gives the crossover a faster acceleration time of 9.6 seconds, despite being the bigger vehicle, and it also has an improved top speed of 193km/h.

The only downside to the increased performance is its fuel consumption, returning a thirstier 6.6l/100km.

Features

Renault’s models are typically offered in three specifications – Life, Zen, and Intens – which hold true of the Clio and Captur, though the latter skips out on the entry-level Life.

Starting with the most affordable version of the hatchback, standard equipment comprises 16-inch steel wheels, automatic LED headlights and daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, hill assist, cruise control with a speed limiter, manual air conditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, an Eco driving mode, electric front windows, a 4.2-inch driver display, six speakers, cloth seats, and a 7-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Moving on to the Clio Zen, additional items include LED fog lamps, a synthetic leather steering wheel, and chrome inserts on interior components like the gearstick and air vents.

Finally, the Intens adds C-shaped LED performance headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, all-electric windows, an electronic handbrake, keyless entry and start, a 7-inch digital driver display, ambient lighting, a wireless charger, velvet seats, on-board navigation, lane-departure warning, and a larger 9.3-inch media screen.

Shifting focus to the base-model Captur, it offers all the same equipment as the Clio Life and Zen, but adds 17-inch steel rims, front parking sensors, climate control, keyless entry and start, and a rearview camera.

It’s a similar story with the Captur Intens, which has the same toys as the equivalent Clio, but also comes with blind-spot monitoring, artificial leather upholstery, and a more sizeable 9-inch driver monitor.

Naturally, the two body types also result in different dimensions, which are as follows:

Surprisingly, the Captur is not that much bigger than its family member, despite its SUV body, with the boot in particular being nearly identical.

Pricing

The South African pricing for the Renault Clio is as follows:

• Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Life – R312,999
• Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Zen – R327,999
• Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Intens – R367,999

The South African pricing for the Renault Captur is as follows:

• Renault Captur 1.3 Turbo Zen – R454,900
• Renault Captur 1.3 Turbo Intens – R499,999

Both cars are sold with a 5-year/150,000km warranty and a 2-year/30,000km service plan.

2022 Renault Clio

2023 Renault Captur