2017 Renault Captur previewed

A refreshed version of Renault's popular Captur SUV is to be revealed at the Geneva motor show this week, sporting new features including an updated colour palette, LED lights and the option of a panoramic glass roof.  

The company has also indicated that an as yet unknown variant of the Captur will be revealed in Geneva.  

The facelifted Captur will have 30 potential colour combinations, along with six different interior trims, giving it great potential for personalisation.

Renault says the new cabin is "redesigned for enhanced quality" but is keeping all images and other details under wraps until launch. 

There is potential for the addition of Renault's latest R-Link multimedia touchscreen system, along with similar cabin material and build quality improvements as applied in mid-2016 to the Clio light hatch.

The most obvious of the Captur's exterior styling changes are the C-shaped illuminated strips in the lower bumper, above which are all-new full-LED headlights - but most will a require side-by-side comparison to spot them.

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. 

New tail-light clusters incorporate graphics referencing the front-end's C-shaped illumination signature, while silver mock bash plates front and rear add some bling.

'Ocean Blue' and 'Atacama Orange' now feature on the Captur's colour palette, as does a contrasting roof in 'Platinum Gray.'

Only up-spec variants that have been optioned with a two-tone colour scheme will have the new full-length fixed glass roof. There are four new alloy wheel designs available in 16- and 17-inch sizes.

Door panel strips and wheel nuts can also receive the colour contrast treatment in various combinations.

There has been no news from Renault on any drivetrain updates, and the company's recent form on similar models in Europe suggests there won't be any.

The current Australian Captur features a 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol with automatic transmission or a manual-only 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine.

Some 215,670 Capturs were sold in Europe last year, putting it right amongst the best selling SUVs there. Contrast that to Australia where 1563 Capturs were sold in 2016, somewhat less than the Mazda CX-3 or Mitsubishi ASX sell in any given month. 

Local launch timing, specs and pricing will be announced by Renault Australia closer to its release sometime later in the year.

Can the Captur catch up with the heavy hitters in the small SUV segment? Tell us what you think in the comments below.