A refreshed version of Renault's popular Captur SUV is revealed at the Geneva motor sporting new features including an updated colour palette, LED lights and the option of a panoramic glass roof.The facelifted Captur will have 30 potential colour combinations, along with six different interior trims, giving it great potential for personalisation. The new Captur has a more upmarket look and a stronger family resemblance to its larger Kadjar and Koleos SUV siblings thanks to a grid-like design featuring upper trim strips either side of the oversized Renault badge.
The French brand’s small SUV has been revamped with a range of changes inside and out, in a move that Renault will hope see the Captur remain on the shopping list for compact crossovers – locally, we’re talking: in Europe it was the biggest selling model in that segment last year, with a huge 215,670 sales. The facelifted model comes almost four years after the Captur went on sale globally, and it brings updates to its styling such as new LED headlights on some models with C-shaped LED daytime running lights integrated into the lower bumper. The rear lights, too, are LED and have a similar design. The grille has been redesigned to make it look more like the bigger Kadjar (not sold here), with a chrome strip highlight. There are skid plates on the front and rear bumpers, too. There are four new wheel options available – two 16-inch designs, and two 17-inch spinners. For those who like to let the light shine in, there’s a new optional fixed glass roof.
In essence, the Renault Captur is a Clio with a smattering of SUV traits and the style factor turned up. The result is a high-riding small hatchback that benefits from the added practicality of a sliding rear bench seat, plus supermini-like running costs and a variety of colourful interior and exterior themes that include a contrasting colour roof. The Captur was one of the first small SUV rivals to Nissan’s groundbreaking Juke, and it remains one of the best offerings in the class. Increasingly, buyers in this market also want to personalise their cars, and Renault offers a vast array of ways to customise your Captur, be it with different paint options or styling packs designed to make the Captur look like a rugged SUV.
The 2017 Lexus GX ranks 22 out of 22 Luxury Midsize SUVs. The 2017 Lexus GX ranks near the bottom of the luxury midsize SUV class. If you want a luxury SUV with off-road capabilities (and standard four-wheel drive), then the GX is one of the few midsize choices that will meet your criteria. It also comes standard with seating for seven. In most other respects, however, you’re better off looking at most other vehicles in the class.
Pros Excellent off-road abilities Intuitive technology features
Cons Low fuel economy estimates Timid acceleration Unremarkable cabin materials
For an old-school SUV, the Lexus GX acquits itself quite well.Underneath its sharply-styled body and high-end interior, the Lexus GX 460 hides a utilitarian frame and a suspension shared with the foreign-market Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. Why's that important? The Prado, which is unrelated to the Land Cruiser sold at Toyota dealers in the United States, is a serious work truck designed for farmers in Australia and peacekeepers in Somalia. That helps explain some of its compromises—but despite its high step-in and quirky tailgate, the Lexus GX 460 does a lot of things very well.
Pros Truck-based solidity Smooth and strong V-8 engine Plush ride quality Comfortable interior Off-road ability
Cons Side-opening hatch opens away from the curb Too-light steering Poor gas mileage Spongy brake pedal feel Compromised cargo area
Lexus has added the Sport Design package to the 2017 GX 460, which includes some different wheels, a different front grille and additional exterior chrome trim pieces. Second-row captain's chairs are a new feature for the GX 460.
Pros Capable off-road performance requires little effort from the driver Plenty of luxury features and cabin amenities.
Cons Poor acceleration and fuel economy from the V8 engine Uncomfortable standard second-row bench seats Inconvenient side-swinging rear cargo door Relatively ponderous handling around turns.
