Should I replace my Suzuki Swift with a Renault Captur, and is it really road tax-free?

I am looking to replace my ageing, but reliable and economical, Suzuki Swift 1.5VVT with a Renault Captur TCe 90. I understand that this comes with 4-year or 100,000 mile warranty and four years servicing, and with no road tax to pay it seems a good option, as I am now a pensioner. The zero cost of ownership (apart from petrol) is obviously very appealing. However, in the interest of comparison, what other make and manufacturer would you recommend I should look at?

Asked on 2 November 2013 by DM, Southampton

Answered by Honest John
The Capture TCe 90 is £30pa VED. Only the dCI 90 is VED-free. Renault and Dacia have a habit of describing cars as VED-free when only the first year is VED-free, which is irrelevant anyway because first year VED is always part of the price. The most direct competitors are the Fiat 500L and the Peugeot 2008. All three are tested and video tested at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/. I rate the Captur in blue with a white roof as the prettiest.
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