With gas prices wildly all over the place at the moment, if you’re thinking of moving to a more efficient vehicle, a hybrid is a great place to start saving.
Particularly if you’re in the market for a family car that still has the look and feel of a sports car, the Captur E-Tech Hybrid from Renault is worth a look.
With the press of a button, the Captur gives the driver the option to switch into electric mode on the Pure setting or engage the 1.6L gas engine on the Sport mode. Many of the features of this vehicle and the efficiency of its engines come directly from Formula 1 technology adapted for road cars and Renault’s years of electric vehicle expertise. While driving, the 9.8kWh battery will also charge through regenerative braking. This also allows for driving without having to meaningfully use the brake pedal unless you need to come to a full stop. All this information is featured in the dynamic information panel which, along with speedometer, also displays when the battery is being recharged and the fuel gauge.
Driving the Captur feels very similar to your typical gas vehicle. It takes only a little time to get used to the electric car features, including starting the car without the sound of a traditional engine and utilising the e-shifter, which replaces a traditional gear stick in the Captur. Just an easy tap is all that’s needed to put the car into drive.
Outside of those small changes the car provides the comfort of a higher-end SUV with sleek design, plush materials and plenty of space. One of the ultimate needs on my new car checklist is visibility and no blind spots and the Captur gets top marks, which makes this feel more like an SUV. Along with the high visibility, the car’s features include a 10-inch display touch panel, 360-degree camera and front and rear sensors. The Captur is also equipped with USB and AUX connections and Bluetooth, and is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so all the upscale comforts and technology are built in.
Space is definitely designed for comfort for the driver as well as passengers and it all feels very roomy. While electric or hybrid cars do lose space in the boot due to the battery being housed underneath, the Captur allows for some adjusting to provide the storage capacity for all your family needs. The rear seats have an adjustable bench that can either be pushed back to allow for comfort for passenger legroom or forwards if there’s a need for transporting bigger and bulkier items in the boot. The folding seats give even more flexibility for extra space when needed. Under the boot is storage for the included charging cable, while the plug-in feature on the Captur allows for the vehicle to fully charge in about three hours.
The Captur is a fun and comfortable car to drive with the space of a smaller SUV but the style and enjoyment of a sports car.
