Smart looks, good value and lots of practicality seem to make for a winning formula in today's compact crossover market.

The fact the Renault Captur has all three of those things in abundance goes a long way to explaining its enormous success across Europe.

Indeed, this funky-looking French machine has been the continent's best-selling compact crossover hatchback for several years as Renault makes the most of the apparently unwavering desire for such vehicles.

Priced from under £15,000 at entry level, the second generation of the Captur arrived on these shores prior to lockdown and was already making its mark.

Larger and more muscular than its predecessor, and echoing the curvaceous and classy looks of the lower-slung Clio, the Captur now sits on an all-new platform and boasts a range of new engines.

During my extended two-month test of the Captur, the qualities that have given it such wide appeal became ever-more apparent.

With its flexible interior space, low running costs and stylish cabin, it's a very easy car to live with.

When measured alongside the previous model, the new Captur has grown by 110mm in length, which provides a decent amount of space for rear occupants.

What really impressed me was the swiftness with which those back seats could be folded down to create a large, flat load space - underlining the car's versatility.

In terms of engines, there's plenty of choice to suit most tastes, with my test car being was powered by the 1.0-litre TCE petrol unit.

In truth, I'd feared that a 1.0-litre unit might lack a bit of grunt for a fairly sizeable vehicle, but I was pleasantly surprised by the engine's willingness, especially when it came to torque in the mid rev range.

On paper, a 0-62mph time of over 13 seconds doesn't look inspiring - and there's no doubt that keen drivers should steer clear - but it felt a good deal more eager than that in real world driving conditions.

It's also pretty refined in terms of noise, only really becoming apparent when you work it really hard in the higher revs.

Furthermore, the size of the engine leads to some pleasant rewards in terms of running costs, with an official figure of 47.1mpg quoted.

While perfectly functional, the five-speed gearbox isn't the slickest in terms of shift quality.

The handling is trustworthy, with the steering striking a balance between providing a bit of 'feel' and being light enough to allow the driver to manoeuvre a crossover with ease.

When it comes to looks, Renault has hit the right note, with the Captur boasting a new muscular design, signature lighting and iconic two-toned body. ​

Standard kit includes a wide range technology such as lane departure warning, lane keep assist, active emergency braking system, automated emergency call and full LED headlights.​

While the price of the lowest-spec model looks appealing, it's worthwhile stretching yourself - if money permits - to the mid-spec Iconic version, tested here, as it adds built-in sat nav, keyless entry and start, rear parking sensors, tinted rear windows and eye-catching two-tone paint.

Once inside there's plenty to like about the componentry cabin. Much of the interior's design is shared with the new Clio, and that's a good thing.

The smart-looking dash revolves around a 9.3in portrait-oriented central touchscreen, which is easy to use and offers crisp graphics.

The design and materials used within the Captur are as good as most things in this class.

On this Iconic trim, there were flashes of orange on the seats and dash to match the exterior paintwork, livening up the interior.

In conclusion, the Captur looks the part, has a spacious cabin and a sizeable boot, together with a frugal engine – all at a price that's appealing compared to class rivals.

Renault Captur Iconic

PRICE: £19,095

ENGINE: TCE 100 (capacity of 999cc)

PERFORMANCE: O-62mph in 13.3 seconds and max speed of 107mph

TORQUE: 160Nm at 2,750rpm

ECONOMY: 47.1mpg and 116g/km

TRANSMISSION: Five-speed manual

INSURANCE GROUP: 8