THE VAN THAT KANG (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The third generation version of Renault's Kangoo van might just be the market's most complete compact LCV. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 52

This completely redesigned third generation Renault Kangoo van aims to set fresh standards in compact van design - and in some ways it does. There are some genuinely clever features on offer here - though UK customers can't have all of them - mixed with more than a dash of Gallic flair.

Backgroundword count: 182

'Renaultvation'. What on earth does that mean? Apparently, it's got something to do with a programme of innovation that the French maker has in mind for its most practically-orientated models. Starting with this one, the third generation Renault Kangoo van. We haven't actually had a completely fresh generation Kangoo model since 2007, so this one is a big deal. Full of all the most clever ideas that the Renault LCV design department's been working on over the last decade. Sadly we won't get all of these in right-hand drive models, but the improvement in the product we can have is evident amongst almost everywhere you look with this third generation version. Here, it will only be available - in the usual standard and Maxi wheelbase length sizes - as a van; continental markets continue to also get this model as a passenger-carrying MPV. As before, there's a full-Electric E-TECH drivetrain if you want it. The competition though is tough, not least from this Renault's most recently redesigned rival, the fifth generation Volkswagen Caddy. So, does 'Kangoo' mean 'can do'? Let's find out.

Driving Experienceword count: 319

We've been talking for years about vans, particularly small ones, becoming more 'car-like', but this one really is. Your initial impressions in this combustion model are likely to be dominated by three most un-van-like things; exemplary refinement; a low car-like driving position; and a particularly smooth-shifting 6-speed manual gearbox that might convince even urban folk tempted by the alternative 7-speed EDC automatic. The high-set gear lever falls easily to hand and is complemented by light but accurate steering. If you're after a combustion Kangoo, you don't have to have the dCi 95 model we tried, but it's almost certain that you will. The only alternatives, after all, are either the same engine in pricier 115hp form, with a mandatory auto gearbox; or the token petrol option that most rivals don't bother to offer because hardly anyone wants it, in this case 1.0-litre three cylinder 100hp TCe turbo unit from the Clio. Or you can take the plunge into the EV era with the much pricier E-Tech full-battery version, which in this third generation Kango offers technology that's a huge step forward from the previous generation Z.E. model. That old LCV's 44kW motor has been replaced by a 90kW unit powered by a considerably larger battery, increased in size from 33kWh to 45kWh. As a result, range is up to 186 miles (up from 143 miles before) and power output has now almost doubled to a class-creditable 120hp, with 245Nm of immediately-available torque. The E-Tech version has the same 1.5-tonne braked towing capacity as the diesel variant too. And three provided levels of selectable regenerative braking. As with the diesel, there's also an Eco mode to stifle the throttle and maximise range, but in the E-Tech version, it muffles power output more considerably, reducing it by half to just 60hp, so you won't really want to engage it outside the city limits unless you really are running low on charge.

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