It was in January this year when Renault lowered the prices of some Captur variants. This time, however, the changes are much more exhaustive. For 2019, the Renault Captur is available in just two trims – RXE and Platine. In other words, the RXL and RXT trims have been shelved. That should make things simpler for a customer considering to buy this Creta-rival.

Another welcome development is that the prices have received a further cut. The entry-level variant – RXE Petrol – is now priced at Rs 9.5 lakh. If you want the diesel engine under the bonnet of the Captur RXE, the asking price goes up to Rs 10.5 lakh. Earlier, the petrol Platine variant didn’t exist. Now, however, it does and it is priced at Rs 12 lakh. The range-topping diesel Platine variant, which was earlier priced at Rs 13.25 lakh, will now retail at Rs 13 lakh. (All prices are ex-showroom Delhi).

There’s more good news. Both trims of the Renault Captur now get seatbelt reminder for the front passenger and a speed alert warning system. The RXE trim also gains rear parking sensors, which were already part of the Platine trim. Other safety gizmos such as dual airbags, driver’s side seatbelt reminder, ISOFIX anchorages and ABS with EBD and BA are still part of the standard kit. In the Platine trim, the Renault Captur also gets the new 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system from the Duster and the Kwid.

We agree that the Renault Captur’s recipe, up till now, looks very intriguing. However, to make the price cut possible, the French carmaker has quietly taken away some of the features as well. The updated brochure doesn’t list the availability of a door armrest and the driver’s side auto up/down window with anti-pinch.

The Platine trim loses a lot more. The list includes white LED surround illumination on automatic climate control, electronic stability control (ESC), hill start assist, white and gold interior trim and Platine branding on the steering wheel and the fender. Renault has even taken away the gold decorative accents in the cabin. Those can now be finished in anodised Rouge Passion or Blue Pacifique. Lastly, the gold finish on gear shift bellow surround has been ditched in favour of black.

Apart from competing with its siblings, the Renault Duster and the Nissan Kicks, the Renault Captur also locks horns with the Hyundai Creta. Range-topping variants of sub-4 metre SUVs such as the Ford EcoSport and the Mahindra XUV300 also fall in the same sort of price range.