Renault Kangoo Combi | test | Opinions

I have said it on several occasions and I reaffirm myself. I am a compact MPV enthusiast. At home we have had one for 10 years and they are very versatile cars for the family, due to their spacious interior, boot capacity and moderate usage costs. And this Renault Kangoo Combi?

There are few left on the market, especially in a compact size. Brands have met that need with these derivatives of commercial vehicles that are increasingly moving away from the idea of ​​a van and that allow an active lifestyle as much or more than an SUV.

It has been on sale for a while, as this third generation arrived in 2021, replacing the previous generation from 2013. It has improved a lot in this time and, after a week of driving it, we really liked its large space and cargo capacity, as well as its careful design and finishes. It is also a true all-rounder, much more versatile than most models on the market.

Price from 26,500 euros, which goes up to 28,100 euros if you choose the 95 hp engine, which, let’s see if it’s enough. It is not a bargain, but remember that these are prices recommended by the brand. You can find offers for the Renault Kangoo Combi in our section of new cars, published by official dealers of the brand. We also have tools to finance the car that allow you to comfortably pay for it month by month.

Abroad

There are enough elements on the outside that indicate that this is not a van or, at least, it does not want to appear so. It changed radically compared to the previous model and on the front we find details such as the headlights with LED technology, which are visually linked to the chrome details of the grill, which does not lack the rhombus logo.

In the lower part, in addition to an air intake, we have fog lights at the ends of the bumper, with chrome frames, and a detail that visually links it to SUVs, the gray metal piece that protects the area, similar to SUVs. .

And it is not the only detail that brings the car closer to a tourism. If you look at the side of the new Renault Kangoo Combi, the typical protections of commercial vehicles disappear from the lower part of the doors and it has more molded shapes than the usual cubic vans.

If you already choose it in the Terracotta red of this unit, it is even further away from a commercial vehicle. It also has 16-inch wheels as standard, which can be 17 as in this unit (with tires in measures 205/55). There is no shortage of roof bars like a good family car, which can also be converted into a roof rack, and under them a large glazed area, of course, with sliding rear doors.

The measurements place the Renault Kangoo clearly in the compact segment. Measure 4,486mm length, which means that it grew 20 cm compared to the previous generation. To take advantage of the space, it is also quite wide, it goes to 1,860 mm, but not excessively high, as it stays at 1,808. Throughout 2023 a somewhat longer body is added.

Already in the rear, you can choose a huge gate, with which you will need enough free space to open it, or two asymmetrical doors as is the case with our unit. They are flanked by two very vertical rear lights and somewhat exposed to hitting each other. In the lower part, a gray piece like the front gives it a more aggressive air.

Inside we find a generous space, which is easily accessed through doors that are very large and that also open a lot. We have a driving position that is not too much of a van, since the steering wheel is quite vertical and the seat has many adjustments to place you at ease.

The finishes are not luxurious, something that, after all, few people look for in this type of vehicle. The detail of the plank in similar brushed wood, of course, is elegant and seems to age well. We do find elements from other Renault cars, such as the steering wheel, the gear lever knob or the air conditioning controls, large and with displays that indicate the temperature or the amount of air.

Above them is an 8-inch infotainment system screen, which includes a browser and mobile connectivity, either with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It doesn’t have the best graphics on the market and the rear camera has a low resolution, but enough to avoid bumps. The instrument cluster is classic, with two analog clocks flanking a four-inch screen.

Another thing that stands out, and that works very well, are the numerous slide holes that we find. I liked that it goes over the instrumentation, because it is large and includes two USB sockets, one 12 V and a mobile phone holder that you can put next to the steering wheel you want.

You can also leave the mobile on a shelf under the air conditioning controls or in the lower part of the console, which can have wireless charging, take a look. And if one day you fill up the glove box, the door pockets that fit 1.5-litre bottles and the deep central chest under the armrest… you should know that you have an ideal upper tray for leaving clothes.

Now let’s look at the rear seats. It is accessed through sliding doors. The Kangoo offers a very good second row of seats. We have three individual seats (actually 2+1, but the shapes clearly separate) and they are practically identical in size. In addition, there is no transmission tunnel that steals space and the width is very good. Better than him

I love that it has air conditioning vents, something important in a car of this size, as well as a 12 V socket and two USB-C sockets and a small drawer. Also with airplane-type tables in the backs of the rear seats and, above all, electric windows that allow the window to be opened practically completely. In this sense, much better than the Volkswagen Caddy.

Do you hit? Well, it’s a pity that it doesn’t have three Isofix anchors, they only have two on the sides (the passenger seat can count on it). And it always helps to have somewhere to carry things, beyond the door pockets or the magazine racks in the front seats. Although it will not be for cargo space, as you will see below.

Trunk

The cargo space is outstanding. And it is that we have nothing less than 775 liters of capacity up to the tray, which is rigid and is divided in two. It’s a very good number, better than the Combi vans from Stellantis or Toyota. The Volkswagen Caddy (and therefore, the Ford Tourneo Connect) offer the data up to the ceiling, but it is very similar.

It has interesting details, such as the hooks to hold the load, a 12 V socket or a couple of holes on the sides to carry small things. And they come in handy since the floor is made of hard plastic, to facilitate cleaning… Of course, it also makes it easier for things to tumble more easily.

I like that you can install a net to be able to load it up to the roof, either with five seats or expanding it by folding down the rear seat backs. It is an operation that is done without problem and thus you get a very wide space, completely flat, 1,880 mm long. And if you need more, you can choose the folding passenger seat to load goods up to 2,700 mm and have 3,500 liters of cargo capacity.

Engine

You can choose the Renault Kangoo with a gasoline engine, the 1.3 TCe 130 hp. It may be interesting for power and because it is associated with the six-speed manual transmission or the seven-speed EDC automatic.

But there are many fans of diesel in this category and that is why it is, for now, the fuel with the most options. they leave the block 1.5 Blue dCi with powers of 75, 95 or 115 HP. The range is complete, in 2023 the Kangoo E-Tech, the electric version with 75 kW (102 CV) and a 44 kWh capacity battery.

Today’s protagonist is the intermediate version, the Renault Kangoo 1.5 BlueHDI with 95 CV diesel. It is the same engine that starred in our test of the Mercedes Citan Tourer. This is the block called K9K, which leaves the assembly lines in Bursa, Turkey, Chennai (India) and Valladolid, Spain. And yes, it is the same as what Mercedes calls the OM 607. It was developed in 2001 and has a fairly proven design. The different evolutions are recognized by the three-digit code that follows the K9K. This one in particular is the K9K 846.

It is a four-cylinder in-line engine with 1,451 cc displacement, direct injection and turbocharged. It delivers its maximum power of 95 hp at 3,000 rpm and offers 260 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm. Time to see how it goes.

Behavior

The Renault Kangoo starts the CMF-C/D platform. Some letters that possibly do not tell you anything, but you will understand better if I tell you that it is a variant of the one used by the Renault Megane or the Nissan Qashqai, with a rear suspension very similar to that of the compact.

This translates into few swings in progress, despite the height of the car, and a lot of comfort, with always very safe reactions. It does not have the touch of a Volkswagen Caddy, perhaps because the steering is not very firm, but that helps when maneuvering in the city.

These commercial derivatives must be good at everything. Because they sometimes serve as a commercial van in the morning, they become a family car in the afternoon and travelers on the weekend. And it complies. The engine stays somewhat just under acceleration if it is loaded uphill, something to be expected since it takes 15.1 seconds to complete 0 to 100 km/h.

Can the 95 hp be enough? Well yes, knowing that you have to take things easy, because it works quite nicely, you don’t hear much (not as little as a Captur) and it costs little. Approves 5.3 l/100 km in the combined cycle and, except in the city where you can move closer to 6, the truth is that it is very close.

The Kangoo rides well once you get up to speed and is also comfortable around town. Even on roads. Its comfortable suspension and 164mm ground clearance have many comparing its abilities to an SUV. And it is that you can count on a specific traction control for driving on fields or snow that includes a practical sump cover. Of course, more than a simple van. Let’s go with the conclusions.

Opinion cars.com

The truth is that if you are looking for a spacious, practical car with a huge load capacity, the Kangoo is a good option. Do not ask for dynamic emotions, because you are looking for ride comfort and only in very large potholes do you notice the rear axle more rigid than usual.

Little trace of the delivery van running and also aesthetically, quite careful. The interior has also ceased to be a space where some seats were placed and that’s it. It is well equipped as standard and the engine is quite solvent, although if you plan to use it more on trips, heavily loaded, the more powerful diesel may be better for you.

buts? Well, the first one we just told you, those 95 CV of power can be scarce at times. The infotainment system did not convince us much either, which, yes, is solved with Apple Carplay. Finally, the starting price is somewhat expensive, although making the leap to higher equipment is not a significant extra cost.

Of course, those 28,100 euros must be seen in perspective. Because the Volkswagen Caddy or its twins, the Mercedes Citan Tourer or the T-Class is more expensive. For now, the Nissan Townstar is only offered with gasoline engines. The Toyota Proace City is cheaper, which is the only one offered with more familiar finishes and a combustion engine, since the Stellantis firms only sell them with commercial variants.

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