The Renault Kangoo is the realised version of the concept car Pangea.
The seats are typically Renault. Too soft and smaller than usual. The dashboard is hard and tacky. The plastic is of high quality. The light bluish grey color would turn black in no time due to all the dirt and grime trapped within the grain. The dashboard design is weird. The uneven and strange nooks and protrusions. The controls were the very same with that of the Twingo and Megane, including the knobs and switches and their placement.
The Renault Kangoo has loads of interior space, an unpretentious image and
economical diesel engines. It is easy to drive and user-friendly to run.
However, the cabin is fairly basic, and the seats unsupportive.
The bulk of Espace models are chosen with a four-cylinder diesel engine. Choices when this generation was launched included a 120bhp 1.9 dCi or a 150bhp 2.2 dCi, and the 2.2-litre is the more satisfying drive, offering smooth performance and a decent turn of speed when needed.
All four-cylinder models come with six-speed manual gearboxes. Automatic transmission is also offered on the 2.2 dCi, and both petrol and diesel V6 models are auto-only. Petrol engines comprise both normally aspirated and turbo-charged 2.0-litre units, as well as a 245bhp 3.5-litre V6 - a detuned version of the engine used in the Nissan 350Z. Changes for 2006 include a new 2.0-litre dCi available in 150bhp and 175bhp versions. The higher power version feels almost as quick as the V6 diesel while the 2.2 dCi remains in the line-up fitted with an automatic transmission. The V6 diesel is also upgraded for 2006 with a slight increase in power and torque plus a six-speed automatic transmission.
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
The 67bhp 1.5 dCi diesel is painfully slow with a 0-60mph time of nearly 20 seconds to accelerate 0-60mph. The 86bhp version is a much better proposition, because it's able to keep up with city traffic and maintain a steady 70mph on the motorway. There's also the dCi 105 with a six-speed gearbox, plus 1.6 8V (86bhp) and 16v (105bhp) petrols.
Ride & Handling
3 out of 5 stars
The steering is light, and the controls simple; the Kangoo is easy and predictable to drive, as long as you don’t expect it to corner like a sports car. It generally rides well over bumps and potholes, without jarring passengers, but can be rather bouncy.
Refinement
2 out of 5 stars
While its suspension is similar to the Scenic MPV's, the more van-like Kangoo gives a firm and sometimes unforgiving ride on rough surfaces. Its sound-proofing is not as extensive as that of the Scenic, and it can get tiresomely noisy on long-distance motorway trips.
Buying & Owning
4 out of 5 stars
Starting prices for the Kangoo are low, though equipment levels are basic; add only absolute essentials, and it is decent value. Cheap to run with a diesel engine, too: the dCi 68 returns 54.3mpg, the dCi 86 does 53.3mpg and the dCi 105 will do 51.4mpg. The petrols average around 35mpg.
Quality & Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
The technology's tried and tested, and the no-frills cabin looks tough. The interior is cheaply upholstered, but not unpleasant, with a focus on hard-wearing materials and plastics rather than flashy details. Renault's reliability record isn't great, but the engines have all been tested in other models.
Safety & Security
3 out of 5 stars
The Kangoo has scored four stars out of five in the Euro NCAP crash tests, but it isn't kitted out to the same level as the Scenic and other five-star Renault models. Side airbags, ISOFIX child-seat mounting points and three three-point seatbelts are standard, while curtain airbags and stability control are worthwhile options.
Behind The Wheel
3 out of 5 stars
Apart from fiddly stereo buttons, the controls are well-designed, with conventional key ignition and grab-handle handbrake. There’s a good view through the huge windscreen and side windows, though rearward vision is restricted if the optional vertically-split rear doors are fitted. It's pleasingly user-friendly, though the thinly padded driver's seat is hard going on long journeys, giving little lumbar support.
Space & Practicality
5 out of 5 stars
There are three good size rear seats, which, along with the front passenger seat, all fold down flat into the floor. There's plenty of legroom for all – and loads of headroom under that high roof. Bootspace is 660 litres under the parcel shelf, with total capacity of up to 2600 litres, and there are plentiful storage and stowage facilities.
Equipment
2 out of 5 stars
Befitting its utilitarian character, the Kangoo doesn't come with an extensive list of creature comforts: air-conditioning's a cost option and Extreme versions don't even have front foglights. Further niceties and styling details such as automatic headlights and wipers, and alloy wheels, can be added if desired.