Renault Kadjar could become French brand’s best-seller

The Renault Kadjar has been released in Australia priced from under $30,000, and the all-new mid-size SUV could become the French brand’s top-selling model here.

That title currently goes to the larger Renault Koleos SUV, which is currently priced from $30,990 plus on-road costs but later this month will be replaced by a facelifted version that could go up in price.

Last year the Koleos found almost 3000 homes, outselling the Trafic and Master vans, but to October this year its tally is down more than 25 per cent to 1873.

Renault Australia says it expects the Koleos to remain its best-seller for now, but with 1000 sales of the Kadjar forecast by mid-2020, the smaller, cheaper and newer mid-size SUV could quickly become the French brand’s most popular model here.

“We are expecting the Koleos, which is still gaining segment share, to remain our key seller, but with more than 500,000 Kadjars already sold globally we know it will be a popular choice for Australians looking to buy a new SUV,” said Renault Australia corporate communications manager, Alison Van Den Dungen.

“I’m saying that, we can’t wait to celebrate our 1000th customer before end of June 2020.

“Success for us with Kadjar in 2020 is more related to the Australian public truly embracing and recognising Kadjar for what it is: elegantly designed, powerful and efficient [and] slotting perfectly between Captur and Koleos to complete the Renault SUV range.”

Despite being introduced in Europe in 2015, the Kadjar is new to Australia following a major midlife facelift. As we’ve reported, pricing starts at $29,990 plus ORCs, making it one of the cheapest cars in its segment.

Mid-size SUVs are the most popular vehicle type in Australia and include the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-TRAIL, with which the Kadjar shares its platform.

Offered only as a front-wheel drive and with a single 117kW/260Nm 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the Kadjar comes standard with Renault’s new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, giving it a leg-up on some similarly sized SUV rivals that offer a manual gearbox at this price point.

The three-grade Renault Kadjar range opens with the entry-level Life variant, which includes standard safety equipment such as low-speed autonomous emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, cruise control with speed-limiter, hill-start assist and emergency brake assist.

The budget-focussed model also offers 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch touch-screen featuring Renault’s R-LINK 2 software with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, double-density foam filled seats, four USB ports (two front and two rear) and air-vents for rear seat passengers.

In the middle of the range is the Renault Kadjar Zen ($32,990 plus ORCs), which adds side parking sensors, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and hands-free entry with push-button start. The Zen steps up from the cloth upholstery offered in the Life to feature slate grey leatherette upholstery.

Finally, the top-tier Renault Kadjar Intense comes with auto parking, a BOSE premium audio system, fixed glass panoramic roof, black leather-trimmed upholstery, heated and power adjustable front seats, and larger 19-inch alloy wheels (still with a space-saver spare). The Intens flagship is priced from $37,990 plus ORCs.

Cargo space on all variants is 408 litres with 60/40-split and folding functionality expanding that space to 1478 litres. Braked towing capacity is rated at 1500kg.

All Renault Kadjar variants come with long 12-month/30,000km service intervals and are backed by a new aftersales care plan called the 5-5-5 Easy Life Ownership Program, which will be rolled out across other Renault models.

It includes a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, up to five years of roadside assistance and a five-year/150,000km capped-price service plan that totals $2145 and – unlike others -- includes consumables like coolant, brake fluid, spark plugs, air filter, pollen filter and accessory drive belt.

The Renault Kadjar is on sale now.

How much does the 2019 Renault Kadjar cost?
Kadjar Life -- $29,990
Kadjar Zen -- $32,990
Kadjar Intens -- $37,990
Metallic paint -- $750
* Prices exclude on-road costs