Renault is taking electrification very seriously right now. In our August issue, the brand's recently launched Scenic E-Tech electric family SUV beat two big rivals including a former What Car? Car of the Year - in a group test. What's more, the reborn Renault 5 hatchback is predicted to make a big noise in the small electric car market later this year.
In fact, every car that wears a Renault badge is now available in electrified form, including the Captur small SUV, which has recently been updated with more than a hint of the Scenic's influence. These tweaks are timely, though, because the Captur is far from alone among hybrid small SUVS - another being the most economical car we've ever tested.
That car is the Toyota Yaris Cross, which has just been treated to improved interior tech and the promise of being quieter than before. A more powerful hybrid engine has also been added to the line-up, but we've gone for the entry-level engine that proved so frugal in our tests, along with the mid-range Design trim level.
Completing our hybrid trio is the ever-popular Nissan Juke, which has also had a makeover and should be at the top of its game. It appears here in wellequipped Tekna trim.
We're fielding the Juke and Yaris Cross against the Captur in midlevel Techno trim. Let's see which of these fresh-faced small SUVs is the star of the moment.
DRIVING
Performance, ride, handling, refinement
The Juke and Captur employ 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines in their hybrid systems, each of which produces a total of 141bhp. The Yaris Cross, meanwhile, gets by with a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine and a 114bhp total output. Despite this, all three are fairly evenly matched in terms of acceleration; the Captur sprints from 0-60mph in 9.7sec, with the others less than a second behind.
This story is from the September 2024 edition of What Car? UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2024 edition of What Car? UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Genesis GV60
Does this plush newcomer deserve a slice of the premium electric SUV pie? The verdict is in
BYD Dolphin
Smallest BYD gets a smaller battery and a slimmer price tag to make it more competitive On sale Now Price from £26,195
BMW i5
Our electric executive saloon disproves the notion that battery-powered cars aren't as efficient out of town
Kia EV6
Electric SUV gets a larger battery, revised suspension and a new infotainment system On sale October Price from £45,575
Maserati GranTurismo Folgore
Range-topping electric version of Maserati's four-seat coupé packs a 751bhp punch, along with an official range of 280 miles On sale Now Price from £179,950
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Looking for all the world like a shrunken S-Class limo, the latest C-Class executive saloon is a tempting used buy with a major trick up its sleeve
Cupra Terramar
Bigger sister to the Formentor completes Cupra's combustionengined SUV line-up On sale Early 2025 Price from £35,000 (est)
Skoda Kamiq
We're finding out whether this updated small SUV makes a good workhorse for a high-mileage driver
Honda e:Ny1
Should you consider this small electric SUV over a Smart or Volvo EX30? We're living with one to find out
PLUGS RETHINK
It may look radically different from before, but is the latest Toyota Prius a cut above its refreshed plug-in hybrid rival from Volkswagen?