Renault

Kangoo

Versatility is paramount when it comes to the Kangoo. This small multi-purpose vehicle boasts a high roof which gives the cabin a lovely airy and spacious feel. There is a choice of engine sizes along with specification levels.

The good

Practical and deceptively agile

The bad

Bit noisy when pushed hard

Tech Specs

Price from

£10,740

Combined Fuel up to

54.3mpg

0-62 from

13.0 seconds

max speed up to

106mph

co2 from

93g/km

Test Drive

Renault Kangoo 1.5 Dynamique TomTom DCi 86

If it’s space, comfort and versatility you’re looking for then the Renault Kangoo has all the answers and boasts a price-tag that won’t break the bank either.

Designed for anyone who enjoys the active lifestyle but needs to be ready for the unexpected, the Kangoo is a comfortable vehicle that has a very light and spacious cabin that is packed with quality features.

It seems everywhere you turn there are storage compartments from the very deep central unit with armrest, to the overhead sections and easily adaptable roof bars. Although my only gripe after a week-long test drive was the awkward positioning of the cup/can holder. With the handbrake disengaged it makes it very difficult to remove a drink without tilting it to the side, which sort of defeats the object.

But that aside, the Kangoo is a brilliant all-rounded. There is ample room for three back seat passengers to travel in comfort and with the massive amount of light that floods into the cabin, there is a lovely feeling of space for everyone. And as and when needed, seats can be folded flat to open up huge storage facilities.

Creature comforts are plentiful and include heat reflecting tinted glass on rear windows, see-me-home headlights, sat nav, cruise control with speed limiter, air conditioning, electric windows (£155 extra for electric windows in rear sliding doors), fold down tables and plenty more besides.

The ride itself is surprisingly responsive. Due to its size and lack of streamlining, I expected the Kangoo to be a little sluggish, but the 1.5-litre diesel-driven engine provided plenty of power and the five-speed manual gearbox was nice and responsive too.

In and around town, the Kangoo was a pleasure to drive thanks to its manoeuvrability and excellent all-round visibility. Then out on the open road, it maintained a steady pace with ease. One factor that was soon very apparent was the excellent economy – on longer journeys the fuel gauge barely moved – that explains the vehicle’s combined fuel figures of 51.4mpg.

Renault has crammed plenty of safety features into the Kangoo including anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, numerous airbags, remote central locking, three 3-point rear seatbelts and much more.

All in all, the Kangoo is never going to suit all tastes, but when it comes to practicality, economy and value for money – the test model cost just over £16k with all the extras – it is a superb all-rounder that will fit into any active family’s lifestyle with ease.