Item: Renault Kangoo
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

UK pricing for the all-new Renault Kangoo will be announced later this year, but given the vast improvements over the previous model, we wouldn’t be surprised if there is a slight increase in price.

That said, if <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a> wants the van&nbsp;to compete successfully against the Stellantis models of Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall – all of which are taking sizeable market share in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-van">small vans</a> class&nbsp;– it will have to keep the Kangoo competitive on price and equipment levels.&nbsp;

Talking of equipment levels, these have yet to be comfirmed&nbsp;for UK models, but clever innovations such as the Easy Inside Rack and fold-flat front passenger seat should give the Kangoo an edge over competitors.

It should also get plenty of safety kit, as European models can now be specified with lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with Stop and Start, as well as parking sensors and that clever reversing camera.

There are expected to be 12&nbsp;new driving aids, including automatic emergency braking <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a>, blind-spot monitoring&nbsp;and adaptive cruise control, plus permanent rear-view assist that streams a view of the road behind you on to a small screen where the rear-view mirror would be.

Renault Kangoo buyers in Europe have the choice of two 1.3-litre petrol engines – TCe 100 and TCe 130 –&nbsp;which produce 99bhp and 128bhp. The 1.5-litre diesel options are called Blue dCi 75, Blue dCi 95 and Blue dCi 115 and produce 74bhp, 94bhp and 113bhp.

So far, we've had the chance to&nbsp;drive the Blue dCi 95. Representing the mid-range diesel option, it was the best-selling engine for the previous-generation Kangoo so it has a good chance of making it to the UK market.

The latest version&nbsp;has 5bhp more than the motor it replaces, and you feel that in the&nbsp;slightly more spirited performance. It is also quite a bit quieter, making the van more relaxing at a cruise. Road noise is surprisingly well contained too, and it's certainly more hushed than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/caddy/van/review/n18482">VW Caddy</a>, with&nbsp;no need to crank up the radio volume at motorway speeds.&nbsp;

While both the Caddy and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/transit-connect/van/review/n18510">Ford Transit Connect</a> are a little sharper in the bends on account of their better body control, the Kangoo’s steering is perfectly weighted for urban and A-road driving. Its soft suspension provides a more comfortable ride than its sportier rivals, and&nbsp;overall it feels more refined than the Caddy but slightly less complete than the Transit Connect.

European Kangoos get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard on all diesel engines, while a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is available as an option. We got to sample the manual and found it to be precise and smooth in its action, and not too dissimilar in feel to the Caddy or Transit Connect.

The Renault Kangoo has always stood for value in the small van sector – which is handy, as that's what the French car maker's 'Renaulation' plan is all about.

The all-new Kangoo you see before you is central to that plan, but don’t go thinking Renault has produced a cheap but not very cheerful vehicle.&nbsp;The manufacturer has looked to increase its value, not by cutting costs, but by introducing new innovations.

That means you can expect better safety systems, cleaner engines and slightly larger proportions.&nbsp;The European Kangoo range consists of two petrol engines and three diesel choices, and the UK is likely to get all the diesels plus at least one petrol.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a>&nbsp;will be opening the order books later this year and, like a number of manufacturers, is anticipating that&nbsp;demand for petrol will&nbsp;grow&nbsp;as buyers start seeking out the most eco-friendly option.

The Kangoo is currently available on the Continent with a manual or&nbsp;automatic gearbox (there will also be a replacement for the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kangoo/van/review/n20116">Kangoo ZE</a>&nbsp;electric van, which has been&nbsp;rebadged as the Kangoo E-Tech).

You'll be able to&nbsp;choose from two body sizes and there are likely to be&nbsp;two trim levels, as well as an Ecoleader option that adds a range of add-ons to improve efficiency, including a speed limiter and an Eco Mode button for extra fuel savings.

In terms of styling, the latest Kangoo&nbsp;reflects the changing front-end look of the Renault car range, and appears&nbsp;more SUV-like, with a substantial and chunky grille plus&nbsp;C-shape&nbsp;headlights.

It will have plenty of competition in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-van">small van category</a>. Rivals include the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo-cv/van/review/n18480">Citroen Berlingo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/partner/van/review/n20209">Peugeot Partner</a>&nbsp;plus&nbsp;models traditionally seen as more ‘premium’ than the Kangoo, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/transit-connect/van/review/n18510">Ford Transit Connect</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/caddy/van/review/n18482">VW Caddy</a>.

Don't forget, whichever van suits your needs, we can help you find the best leasing deals for personal or business use through the free&nbsp;<a href="https://whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing service</a>.

In terms of the Renault Kangoo’s driving position, there’s an ample amount of travel in the driver’s seat and the steering wheel is adjustable for reach and rake so it’s easy to get comfortable. The seats are surprisingly supportive and are wrapped in a hard-wearing material that looks and feels high quality.&nbsp;

The feeling of quality extends to the rest of the interior, with a pleasant mix of materials, upmarket rotary dial heater controls, a slick multi-function steering wheel and an infotainment system that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a> has borrowed from the Clio.

The 8in touchscreen system has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring and up to three USB sockets. There are also three 12v sockets, but wireless phone-charging will be an option.

Hatchbacks, SUVs, fast cars, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of them all is the design, with its cars now having a distinctive look that has won the firm a legion of fans for its flair and charm.

To drive and to own, the line-up is typically decent rather than outstanding. Best of the cars when they are rated against rivals are the Kadjar SUV, the fast RS models and the electric Zoe.

With new and used pricing also keen – and Target Price discounts through our New Car Buying marketplace usually more generous than most – there is the opportunity to negotiate an appealing price.

RENAULT

Kangoo

Extensively updated&nbsp;van has larger body, greater comfort and improved power and emissions.

Compared to the last generation Renault Kangoo, the new model has a significantly more spacious interior on account of the van’s larger physical dimensions. For example, it's noticeably wider around its waistline, which creates a great deal more room on the inside between you and the door. That means there's plenty of elbow room, as well as space for your legs.

A physically larger van means there is more space in the interior for the driver, but it has also translated into more storage space, with 46 litres available up front and as much as 56 litres when specified with the dual front passenger seat with under-seat storage.&nbsp;

The vehicle we drove was&nbsp;a European model with an ingenious Easy Life pull-out glove box drawer, but sadly that won't&nbsp;be available on right-hand-drive vans due to the placement of the fusebox and airbag.

UK Kangoos won’t be available with what <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a> calls its ‘Open Sesame’ side loading door, either. Again, that's a shame, as they give it the&nbsp;best side door opening width in the small-van&nbsp;class (an enormous 1446mm to be precise).

We will, however, be able to spec the fold-flat front passenger seat that is part of the arrangement as an option on UK models. It increases the load volume from 3.3m3 in the standard wheelbase Kangoo to 3.9m3, while the long-wheelbase model will be able to carry 4.2m3 normally or 4.9m3 with the seat folded flat.&nbsp;

Another innovations UK vans get is the new Easy Inside Rack. It’s essentially a hanging internal roof rack system similar to the concept previously seen on the larger Renault Trafic. It lets you carry items up to 2.5m long high up off the Floor..&nbsp;

Overall, the Kangoo’s load capacity has pushed it towards the very top of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/small-van">small vans</a> segment, and it beats the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo-cv/van/review/n18480">Citroen Berlingo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/partner/van/review/n20209">Peugeot Partner</a> for the&nbsp;amount of storage space in both the front and rear. Payloads will range from 600kg to 1000kg depending on size, gross vehicle weight and spec.

The Renault Kangoo has frequently missed the mark with previous updates but a larger
body as well as more technology and safety features have fired Renault’s small van towards the front of the sector. Greater comfort, a quieter cabin and slight increase in power and emissions round off the changes in what is a considerable update.

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Renault Kangoo review

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The Renault Kangoo on the road review including ride and handling information. Pick the best engine and compare performance with similar cars.

Renault Kangoo buyers in Europe have the choice of two 1.3-litre petrol engines – TCe 100 and TCe 130 – which produce 99bhp and 128bhp. The 1.5-litre diesel options are called Blue dCi 75, Blue dCi 95 and Blue dCi 115 and produce 74bhp, 94bhp and 113bhp.,So far, we've had the chance to drive the Blue dCi 95. Representing the mid-range diesel option, it was the best-selling engine for the previous-generation Kangoo so it has a good chance of making it to the UK market.,The latest version has 5bhp more than the motor it replaces, and you feel that in the slightly more spirited performance. It is also quite a bit quieter, making the van more relaxing at a cruise. Road noise is surprisingly well contained too, and it's certainly more hushed than the VW Caddy, with no need to crank up the radio volume at motorway speeds. While both the Caddy and the Ford Transit Connect are a little sharper in the bends on account of their better body control, the Kangoo’s steering is perfectly weighted for urban and A-road driving. Its soft suspension provides a more comfortable ride than its sportier rivals, and overall it feels more refined than the Caddy but slightly less complete than the Transit Connect.,European Kangoos get a six-speed manual gearbox as standard on all diesel engines, while a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is available as an option. We got to sample the manual and found it to be precise and smooth in its action, and not too dissimilar in feel to the Caddy or Transit Connect.,

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