THERE’S no doubt that Renault’s Captur is more than fashionably late to the sub-compact SUV party. Given its handsome looks and proven lineage, however, it’s a guest that is certainly most welcome.

It’s a pretty hip n’ happening soiree already, with multiple revellers making a play for the hearts and minds of crossover buyers in the 600-odd days it took for the Captur to clear bureaucratic and production red tape and make it to Australia.

The Holden Trax heads that group, but several more – including Ford’s EcoSport, the Nissan Juke, Peugeot’s 2008 and the Captur’s relation by marriage, the Nissan Juke – are on the guest list, too.

The Mazda CX-3 and the Honda HR-V will soon join it, with Citroen’s C4 Catcus and others also on the horizon.

Based on the dynamically competent fourth-generation Clio platform, the Captur manages to keep both the donor hatchback’s diminutive dimensions, yet provide more room on board than appears possible from its highly stylised exterior.

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