New Renault Kangoo - first drive

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Monday, 16 November 2009 12:57

The essential qualities the original Renault Kangoo brought to the market in 1997 of practicality, fun to live with, hugely versatile and economical to run, still apply to the latest MPV version introduced in June this year.

Prices range from £11,200 to £14,550 plus options and option packs.

Unfortunately what should be fitted as standard, as it can be a family vehicle, is Electronic Control Stability with Understeer Control which is available for most models but adds another £300 to the final price. Also air conditioning costs an extra £550 for all but the top specification model – again not good marketing practise for what is likely to be family transport.

The Kangoo both in its passenger vehicle form and its van derivative, also known as the Express on the Continent, is a world vehicle built in production centres on four Continents, France, Morocco, Argentina and Malaysia and more than 2.3 million car and van versions have been built since 1997.

The latest version has conventional front hinged doors, twin side sliding doors and huge full height lift-up tailgate leading to a low load floor and cavernous load area with up to 2,866-litres of cargo space. Renault says the latest Kangoo offers improved quality and reliability covering all areas from reliability, build quality and after-sales service.

The new Kangoo uses Renault’s, and their Nissan partner’s, C-segment platform which is also used for the new Scenic amongst other models. With a length of 4,213mm it is 180mm longer than its predecessor and it is 102mm wider at 1,829mm with a 92mm longer wheelbase at 2,697mm. Height remains more or less the same at 1,799mm but it does look a tall vehicle, but not tall enough not to gain access to most multi-story car parks or the conventional home garage.

With the rear seats in place boot capacity is 660-litres and maximum load space is massive when the 33/66 split rear seats are folded and bigger still with the front passenger seat also folded. There are six possible seating and load carrying configurations so versatility is the core proposition offered by the can-do Kangoo. The 43mm of extra rear seat legroom and 109mm of added elbow room will be enjoyed. The rear load area floor is very low so it is easy to load and the solid load area cover also can bear weight. This shelf can also be slotted into the rear load area at a mid-height position to further increase load carrying options. If that isn’t enough space then overhead storage and in-cabin compartments add a further 77-litres of knick-knack room.

Nobody I’m sure will look on the Kangoo as an attractive vehicle, practicality is what this vehicle is about, maximising easy-to-use space. It will be ideal for active families, dog owners, family and business transport, taxi and minicab operators. The less mobile will like the load space for a wheelchair and the upright seating positions which allow easy entry and departure as so the sliding rear side doors. Renault offers an extensive range of vehicles through the Motability scheme and they provide a list of accredited specialists who can adapt vehicles such as the Kangoo, all to be found on www.motability.renault.co.uk

The ride was generally comfortable, the suspension compliant but there was some body roll due to the vehicle’s height. On a long journey I and my passengers found the seats initially comfortable but after a while they felt too soft and lacked support.

There are three levels of specification available, Extreme which is relatively basic and durable and more suited to hard work than family transport. Next comes the sensible Expression option which most customers will choose and for those buyers who want the top level there is the I-Music Special Addition which has a superior sound system, air conditioning 15-inch alloy wheels and brushed aluminium effect door mirrors. Core features for all versions include anti lock braking, power steering, front and front lateral airbags, folding bench rear seats, sliding side doors, heated rear tailgate window with wash/wipe function, central door locking, electric front windows, pollen filter, roof rack fixings, height adjustable steering and front seat belts and rear ISOFIX child seat mounting points. For an extra £850 the Expression models has a better level of equipment which includes front overhead parcel shelf, aviation tables for rear seat passengers, multi-position rear parcel shelf, trip computer, electric folding door mirrors, front fog lights, a better sound system, fabric trim on the front door panels and side panelling in the boot area and body coloured bumpers and door mirrors.

Even so these equipment levels can be raised further with lots of extra cost options such as ESP, electric windows for the side sliding doors, must-have air conditioning, curtain air bags, rear parking sensors, cruise control, alloy wheels and automatic headlights and wipers. My diesel test model with Expression trim cost £14,050 but with what I would call must-have options finished up at a costly £16,070, well into the same price range as the stylish new Renault Scenic five seater purpose-built MPV.

Depending on the trim and equipment model chosen there is a choice of five engines, 1.6-litre 90 and 106bhp petrol units and 1.5-litre dCi turbodiesel units with power outputs of 68, 86 and the new 106bhp variant. Automatic transmission will be a must for some users so Extreme and Expression models are available with it coupled to the 1.6-litre 105bhp petrol engine.

Powering my ‘shed-on-wheels’ was the new 1.5-litre dCi 106bhp turbodiesel common rail direct injection unit which produces 240nm of torque from 2,000rpm. This engine is used in conjunction with a 6-speed manual gearbox and fifth and sixth gear ratios are long legged and best for cruising on open roads improving fuel economy and giving a relatively low CO2 figure for taxation purposes. Officially the Combined Cycle fuel economy is 51.4mpg but the best figure my test car returned was a constant 43.5mpg however I drove it, in traffic or on the motorway. Road tax will be £125 a year due to the 146g/km CO2 emissions. Given the size of the vehicle and the load carrying potential I wouldn’t want a less powerful unit but it does come at a hefty price considering its commercial vehicle parentage.

MILESTONES. Renault Kangoo Expression dCi 106. Price: £14,050 (£16,070 as tested). Engine/transmission: 1.5-litre, four cylinder, direct injection common-rail turbodiesel, 106bhp, 240Nm of torque from 2,000rpm, 6-speed manual. Performance: 106mph, 0-62mph 13.0 seconds, 51.4mpg (43.5mpg actual), CO2 146g/km, VED Band F £125, BIK tax 20%. Insurance group: 5E. Dimensions/capacities: L 4,213mm, H 1,799mm, W 1,829mm, load carrying 660-2,866-litres, seats five. For: Versatile load and passenger carrier, easy access, roomy, comfortable ride. Against: Expensive when creature comforts are added, ESP not standard fit, unsupportive seats, noise intrusion, looks like a van with windows. Miles Better News Agency www.girlracer.co.uk