Renault Kangoo dCi 2011 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $24,490
Options fitted (not included in above price): sat nav $950 
Crash rating: Four-star (ANCAP, with dual airbags)
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 5.2
CO2 emissions (g/km): 137
Also consider: Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, Suzuki APV, Volkswagen Caddy

While still small fry in the Australian market (compared to their popularity in Europe), compact courier vans are gradually growing in numbers on our roads.

One reason for this is the recent influx of Euro-quality small van offerings; florists and other small business owners with modest carrying requirements now able to choose from six different models.

While their sub-$30K pricing (or sub-$20K in the case of Japan’s cut-price Suzuki APV), car-like demeanour and lower running costs make them enticing as entry-level cargo carriers, small vans still only represent around 10 per cent of the overall van market in Australia.

It’s the larger (and more expensive) vans that lead the sales here, lead by Toyota HiAce and Hyundai iLoad which together account for more than 60 per cent of the overall market.

Amongst the baby light commercials though, Renault’s Kangoo has experienced a growth spurt, in more ways than one. Following a mid-life update in late-2010, its share of the van market remains modest at 1.4 per cent. But Kangoo sales have grown this year by a staggering 600 per cent, from a monthly average of three in 2010 to 24 this year.

The latest Kangoo’s youthful charms could be leading the drive. With cheeky front styling and attractive curved side profile, the French manufacturer’s little urban hauler has a certain joie de vivre often missing from the white-box-on-wheels brigade.

The current Kangoo is slightly larger than its predecessor, which translates to a bigger 3.0 cubic metre load capability and, in diesel form as tested here, up to 800kg payload.

Loading up the Kangoo is a breeze with its rear barn doors opening up as much as 180 degrees. Squeezing in a standard-sized pallet is also possible with 1218mm between the rear wheel arches. The Kangoo will also accept loads up to 635mm wide through its sliding, passenger-side cargo door.

There’s a protective floor liner and light in the rear, and we counted 11 anchor points for restraining goods. For even more functionality, there’s the option of a driver-side sliding door ($430) or sliding roof flap ($950) for poking through tall plants and the like.

The Kangoo’s appeal extends to its classy front cabin area, which includes one passenger seat and a good mix of storage areas and standard equipment including Bluetooth connectivity.

The large windscreen and side windows, along with ample headroom, add to the pleasant ambience not to mention visibility while driving. While hard grey plastics predominate, some stylish seat cloth trim and the odd silver highlight help lift the mood.

Standard kit isn’t bad for a commercial vehicle, including air-conditioning, power front windows, cruise control, trip computer, central locking and heated, powered side mirrors.

There’s iPod connectivity for the CD radio via Bluetooth or an RCA jack, although audio sound quality from the two speakers was pretty poor; not helped by the intrusive background boom emanating from the unlined cargo area while driving.

Our Kangoo was also fitted with the optional, integrated TomTom sat nav system ($950), operated by a remote control unit that sits in a holder near the handbrake when not in use.

Given its mobile office status, the interior design makes good use of available storage space including decent-sized side door pockets with room for drink bottles and a large overhead shelf for carrying maps, laptops, parcels, and other paperwork.

The driver’s seat arrangement is better suited to petite French drivers than lanky Aussies ones, with the seat not able to be pushed back far enough to comfortably accommodate my 192cm frame. Not helping matters is a wheel only adjustable for height, and no standard height adjustment for the high-set driver’s seat (it’s a $290 option).

Renault claims the Kangoo boasts a “car-like driving experience”, but on-road it’s closer to a Hyundai Getz than a BMW 5-Series. While the clutch and steering are light, the shift action of the five-speed manual is rubbery and vague. But with the 1.5-litre common rail turbodiesel producing 63kW at 3750rpm and 200Nm at 1900rpm, there’s enough grunt down low in the rev range to keep pace with traffic without wearing out the gearbox.

Unfortunately, given the stop-start driving most Kangoos will be subjected to, a (four-speed) automatic option is only available with the 78kW/188Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine, though the forthcoming all-electric Kangoo will be in essence an ‘automatic’.

Where the diesel Kangoo really shines is in on-road refinement and miserly fuel use. During a week of around town and freeway runs (unladen), we managed 5.5L/100km. For those that drive for a living, a range of more than 1000km on one 60-litre tank of fuel is a big bonus.

Based on the Renault Scenic platform, the Kangoo offers acceptable ride quality around town, though it can get jiggly over bigger bumps. Any attempts at over-enthusiastic cornering are tempered by the combination of skinny tyres, top-heavy body and a tendency to lean in bends.

The Kangoo best makes sense in the hustle and bustle of inner-city traffic, where its nimble nature, small footprint and tight turning circle, make it ideal for quick lane changes and squeezing through narrow lanes.

Like many of its rivals the Kangoo’s safety aids are to minimal requirements, with driver’s front and side airbag and anti-lock, all-disc braking fitted as standard. Stability control ($400), front passenger airbag ($300), and rear parking sensors ($490) are all optional.

But despite its shortcomings, there’s a lot to like about the diesel-powered Kangoo. For those looking for a relatively cheap and cheerful delivery van offering low running costs, reasonable comfort, user-friendly features and Euro build quality; it makes a lot of sense.

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