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A facelifted version of Renault's big-selling Kangoo van will arrive in showrooms in July.
Visually Renault has toughened up the latest model, removing some of its predecessor's soft, feminine curves to give it a more robust, muscular appearance. The front end of the van includes Renault's new styling identity with a more prominent logo set against a black grille. Tapered almond- shaped headlights are also new and the large, rounded front bumper juts forward of the bonnet to give a more aggressive look.
Renault has also reworked the interior, and the cabin now gets a new, glossy, black centre console housing the air-conditioning and radio controls that is similar to that found in the new Clio, Captur and Zoe cars. The driving position is comfortable, although the steering wheel is height-adjustable only, and there is adequate storage, including a generous bin between the seats. The interior is pleasant and modern despite the plastic on the dashboard looking rather too hard and shiny, while the shovel handle-style parking brake might take a bit of getting used to.
The line-up consists of two wheelbases: Kangoo van (ML) and Kangoo Maxi (LL), which is available as a two-seat panel van or five-seat passenger-carrying vehicle. There are three trim levels - Debut, Core and Sport - with payloads across the van and Maxi range going from 650kg up to 800kg and load volumes varying from 3.0m3 to 4.6m3. With its battery centrally located beneath the floor, the electric ZE model boasts a 650kg payload and a load volume of 3.0m3-4.0m3. The van's load bay contains six tie-down points and is accessed by twin asymmetrical rear doors and sliding doors on both sides, although the offside one comes as an option for £230 excluding VAT.
We tested the 90hp 1.5-litre standard van (the best-selling bodystyle) in Sport trim, which also incorporated the Energy package with stop/start and a braking energy-recovery system to improve consumption and environmental performance. Renault officially puts its vital statistics at 65.7mpg on the combined cycle alongside CO2 emissions of 112g/km, which the brand says ranks as the best- in-class together with the Kangoo-spawned Mercedes Citan.
With a partial load in the back the engine is provides just enough zip: maximum torque of 200Nm kicks in at 1750rpm. Renault is also offering the 110hp version of the 1.5-litre dCi on the Kangoo, having introduced the engine on the Megane passenger car, but unless you're regularly undertaking long journeys with heavy loads we reckon the 90hp unit would provide sufficient versatility for both urban and longer-distance assignments.
One quibble may be that the 90hp van, like the 75hp one, comes with a five-speed manual gearbox while the more powerful model gets a sixth gear, which helps on motorways. However, we found the five-speed version to be slick and snappy and perfectly adequate on a route consisting of winding open roads, roundabouts and town streets. Handling is impressively sure-footed and the ride supportive and firm.
The stop/start system works efficiently, cutting off the power seamlessly when you come to a halt at traffic lights and starting up again without any fuss when you depress the clutch. Together with an Eco button to moderate revs and a discreet gear-shift indicator on the instrument cluster, an extra £250 for an Energy version seems like a reasonable outlay, although it's a shame it's not standard.
The van we drove also came with ESC, which includes Grip Xtend to improve traction on dry, icy or wet roads via an ASR anti-skid function when in 'Road' mode, while in 'Loose Ground' mode it improves grip on rougher surfaces by controlling front wheel braking. ESC is offered as a £350 option on Core and Sport models, but is not available on the entry-level Debut.
We also got cruise control and parking sensors for an extra £200 each. But for £14,800 (ex. VAT) the Kangoo Sport is well-specced overall and includes features such as 15-inch alloy wheels.
Competitively priced and improved, the launch of the new Kangoo is timely for Renault, which has endured months of flagging sales in the UK, and should position the brand back towards centre stage.
| Renault Kangoo Sport Energy dCi 90 | |
| Price (ex VAT) | £14,800 |
| Price range (ex VAT) | £9400-£17,000 |
| Insurance group | tbc |
| Warranty | 4yrs/100,000mls |
| Service intervals | 2yrs/25,000mls |
| Load length | 1476mm |
| Load width | (min/max) 1045mm/1219mm |
| Load bay height | 1129mm |
| Gross payload | 650kg |
| Load volume | 3.0m3 |
| Engine size/power | 1461cc/90hp |
| Combined fuel economy | 65.7mpg |
| CO2 | 112g/km |
VerdictImpressive package that should help re-establish the Kangoo. |
8/10 |
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