Re(nault)volution: Replacing My Rusty Yeti with French Finesse

Let’s be honest, Finland and Skodas go together like mosquitoes and saunas – practically part of the national identity. So, when my trusty (rusty?) 2010 built Yeti finally resembled a colander more than a car after 255,000 kilometres of battling Finnish weather, it was time for a change.

The Yeti, bless its Teutonic heart, had become a bottomless pit for my hard-earned euros. Every time I turned around, something else needed replacing – like a snowman melting in July sunshine. Enough was enough.

Enter the Renault Captur 2020. Now, I’ll admit, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. The missus, bless her, fell for the fancy French name and the “oh-so-chic” white stripes on the seats – a questionable fashion statement if you ask me (they look more like escaped zebras trying to blend in with the reindeer). But hey, happy wife, happy life, right?

Dashboard Drama: Button Bonanza or Button Blunder?

Climbing into the Captur, the first thing that hits you is the dashboard. Now, I’m a simple man. In a car, I like buttons. Big, chunky, easy-to-find-even-with-snow-gloves-on buttons. The Captur’s dashboard, however, seems to have gone on a minimalist diet. There are buttons, sure, but they’re these tiny little things that require the eyesight of an eagle (or perhaps an X-ray to see through my increasingly malfunctioning middle-aged vision).

Then there’s the infotainment system. It’s fancy, granted, with a touchscreen that looks like it belongs on an iPad. But here’s the thing: fiddling with a touchscreen while hurtling down the highway towards a rogue moose is not exactly my idea of a good time. Give me a good old-fashioned knob I can twist without taking my eyes off the road any day.

Navigation by Google, Self-Driving by Enigma

Speaking of the road, the Captur boasts navigation powered by Google Maps. Now, that’s a plus in my book. No more arguing with that infuriating lady in my old sat-nav who seemed to have a personal vendetta against getting me anywhere on time. But here’s the kicker: the self-driving feature.

Yes, you read that right. Apparently, the Captur can practically drive itself. Although, to activate it, you have to perform this bizarre button sequence that would make a cryptographer blush. Three buttons, in a specific order, and then pray to the French car gods that it actually works. Let’s just say, I haven’t quite gotten the hang of it yet – which is probably a good thing considering the reliability of Finnish internet in the middle of nowhere.

Heated Steering Wheel: A Finnish Must-Have

One feature I will give Renault full marks for is the heated steering wheel. Now, this might seem like a small thing to some, but in Finland, it’s a national treasure. Grasping a cold steering wheel on a brisk winter morning is like shaking hands with a frozen cod – not pleasant. The Captur’s heated wheel, however, is a warm hug for your hands, a godsend against the relentless Finnish winter.

Sound of Silence? More Like Symphony of Road Noise

Now, we come to the not-so-good. The soundproofing in this car is about as effective as a tea strainer keeping out a tsunami. Every bump, every rumble on the road comes crashing through the cabin like a heavy metal concert. Don’t get me wrong, I love a bit of AC/DC as much as the next man, but when it’s a constant soundtrack provided by the car itself, it gets old faster than a tub of Finnish “mämmi” (trust me, that’s fast).

The Verdict: A Winner (Despite the Minor Hiccups)

So, is the Renault Captur the perfect car? Well, let’s be honest, nothing’s perfect. But for the price, it’s a darn sight better than a rusting Yeti threatening to disintegrate on the next pothole. The fancy bits are fun (even if the self-driving is a bit of a gimmick), it’s comfortable enough for those long road trips to the summer cottage, and most importantly, it keeps the missus happy. And that, my friends, is what truly matters.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a cup of tea and a very detailed instruction manual for that self-driving malarkey. Who knows, maybe I can crack the code before the next moose encounter.

About the car:

Renault Captur 1.3 TCe
Fuel: benzin
Power: 130 HP
Model: 2020