2008 - 2013 Renault Kangoo MPV Review

The Kangoo is a van with doors, no less, no more. It majors on practicality; you'll find frills elsewhere in the Renault range.

Review

INTRODUCTION:

The Kangoo is a van with doors, no less, no more. It majors on practicality; you'll find frills elsewhere in the Renault range. That's fine though, as for those buyers looking for a useful, inexpensive and capacious machine to haul their family around in then the Kangoo is more than up to the task.

MODEL RANGE:

Select Kangoo from our search menu and you'll be offered a list of classifieds full of panel vans, only the odd passenger machine among them. Select MPV and that will filter out the commercials, and whittle the number to one that's more manageable too. The Kangoo's enormous practicality is underlined by the number that are converted for use with wheelchair access - the low boot lip, vast rear opening and massive boot making it ideal for that purpose. Add sliding side door access and the Kangoo is about as effortless a car to get in and out of as is possible.

That's good for everyone, and families are certain to find the Kangoo's huge versatility a real boon compared to conventional hatchbacks - or even some so-called compact MPVs. Those on a budget will appreciate the inexpensive prices and low cost running bills, too. The sacrifices for all of this are obvious inside, the Kangoo's van-derived interior built without much thought to eye-pleasing style or soft touchiness, though it does feel tough. After all, if it can survive the beating a tradesman will give it then the average family shouldn't cause much harm inside.

There's a real honesty to it because of its simplicity, the feeling of space inside is remarkable - and obvious thanks to some echoing at speed. Fill it up with a noisy family and you'll not notice, though. The performance isn't going to electrify either, the 1.2-litre petrol engine needing revs, the 1.4- or 1.6-litre options better but still not over-endowed with performance. The 1.6-litre is available with an automatic transmission, the rest being manuals. The 1.5 dCi diesel is the best choice thanks to its greater torque, even if its 0-100km/h times look glacial compared to the larger petrol units.   

BEST BUY:

The diesel might not be that common, but it's worth looking out for one for not just the economy it brings, but the greater performance. Trim is down to your budget - and what you can find - while a large number of Kangoos have been modified for use by handicapped passengers and drivers.

THE NUMBERS:

Renault Kangoo 1.5 dCi

Engine: 1,461cc four-cylinder petrol turbocharged

Power: 68hp

Maximum speed: 146km/h

0-100km/h: 19.8 seconds

Fuel consumption: 5.9 litres/100km

CO2: 140g/km

Euro NCAP:  ****

GOOD POINTS:

• Massive space
• Huge practicality
• Inexpensive

BAD POINTS:

• Tough interior feels and looks cheap
• Not very refined
• It's a van with windows

SUMMARY:

The epitome of a head over heart purchase, the Kangoo might not tug at your heartstrings, but it'll win you over with its honest and usefulness in time. None are quick, none are that much fun to drive, but it's practical and if you value such things then the Kangoo is difficult to argue against.