Renault Kangoo van review (2021)

Still trying to decide which Kangoo to buy? We've a few individual model reviews below to help you, including a test of the EDC automatic gearbox.

Renault Kangoo Formula Edition 1.5 dCi 110 EDC automatic review

Tested March 2018 by CJ Hubbard

• Eye-catching looks but eye-watering price
• EDC automatic gearbox works very well
• But it also costs nearly 10mpg versus manual

The Renault Kangoo Formula Edition celebrates the link between the Renault Pro+ van business and the Renault Formula 1 team.

Like its bigger brothers, the Formula Edition versions of the Trafic and the Master, this Kangoo comes in a striking black and yellow colour scheme, and is based on the Business+ specification, topped up with a number of included extras.

It’s available with either the dCi 90 or dCi 110 1.5-litre diesel engine, but only as a panel van – so you can’t have a crew van or a Kangoo ZE electric version.

Here we’re testing the standard length ML19 dCi 110 model, with the added bonus of the EDC automatic gearbox, which is also new to the Kangoo range.

What’s different about the Renault Kangoo Formula Edition?

This is all about the look of the thing, really. The black paint is a surprisingly eye-catching deep pearlescent metallic that shines beautifully in the sun, while the Sirius Yellow accents mean that this is one little van that’s sure to draw the attention of even casual observers.

You might think it looks a bit much in the pictures – and we’re inclined to agree. But consider it as a means of advertising your business, and it’s surely going to stick in the mind of potential customers much more than a plain white alternative.

The full list of Formula Edition visual upgrades is as follows:

• Pearlescent black paint
• 15-inch black alloy wheels (with yellow centres)
• Formula Edition side graphics (yellow)
• Black front grille (accented in yellow)
• Fog light surrounds (yellow)
• LED daytime running lights

This particular van is fitted with an optional sliding roof flap (£220) so you can stick longer objects out of the top.

Can’t say we’ve ever seen anyone using one of these flaps on the road, but it’s a clever way of making a small van more practical.

What do you get inside the Renault Kangoo Formula Edition?

A smart set of Formula Edition floor mats and a leather steering wheel, which adds a desperately needed touch of additional luxury to the Kangoo’s rather plain cab design. Cruise control comes as standard, and you get all the kit that's already included with the Business+ specification.

Further options fitted here include a swivelling mesh bulkhead replacing the standard fixed item; complete with folding passenger seat, this is another way this small van works hard to be more practical – and the combo is reasonably priced at £225.

Renault has also added automatic lights and wipers (£210) and the R-Link sat-nav infotainment system (£675, plus £90 for European mapping).

What’s the Renault Kangoo EDC automatic gearbox like?

This is our first chance to try a Kangoo with the EDC ’box, and we’re impressed – in fact, it works better here than in most Renault cars we’ve tried it in.

This is an automatic transmission of a similar design to the Volkswagen DSG system, which means it’s quick to react and very definite with its gearshifts. So you don’t get that slushy, imprecise feeling that sometimes plagues conventional automatics.

Paired with the Kangoo’s most powerful engine – the 1.5-litre dCi 110 produces 110hp and 250Nm of torque – it helps give this van a particularly nippy feel from behind the wheel. It certainly feels faster than the official 12.7 second 0-62mph time would suggest.

Unfortunately, as you’ll see in the value section below, the EDC gearbox is also expensive, and has a significant impact on the Kangoo’s claimed fuel economy.

The actual handling is still a bit rolly-poley, as the Kangoo not only tends to lean quite a bit in the corners, but also has some of the slowest steering in the small van sector – meaning you have to turn the wheel a lot when making sharper turns.

But overall we found this version rather fun to drive, which suits the look of it perfectly.

Is the Renault Kangoo Formula Edition good value?

The difference between the Kangoo Business+ and the equivalent Kangoo Formula Edition is £1,600 (plus VAT) at the time of writing in March 2018. That’s not exactly small change, so you’ll have to weigh up just how much you think the distinctive looks mean to you – or your business.

The EDC gearbox is likely to be even more of a luxury, as it demands a £2,000 ex-VAT premium over the standard manual gearbox. It also has a surprisingly large negative impact on the Kangoo’s fuel economy, with Renault claiming 55.4mpg for the EDC and 64.2mpg for the cheaper dCi 110 manual.

How much are you prepared to pay the convenience of not having to use a clutch in traffic? All told, this dCi 110 EDC costs £20,145 basic – before any other options. This is not a thrifty small van.

Should I buy a Renault Trafic Formula Edition?

This van is distinctive and good to drive on the one hand, brash and almost eye-wateringly expensive on the other.

And since there are already other small vans we would choose over the Kangoo it’s difficult to recommend this model unless you’re really taken with the Formula Edition looks. 

Renanult Kangoo Sport 1.5 dCi 90 review

Tested December 2013 by Liam Campbell

• Renault’s small van gets a new look and new kit
• Tested in Sport trim with the middle engine option
• This version starts from £14,800 excluding VAT

The Renault Kangoo small van has been around for a while now, this generation being launched in 2008. Earlier in 2013 it was spruced up with a facelift to keep things fresh, including a new front bumper to give it a look more in-line with the current Renault car range.

Inside, the dashboard has a new look too with the introduction of the ‘R-Link’ multimedia system (which includes a TomTom LIVE sat-nav function) already fitted to certain Renault cars like the Megane. It’s available as an option on mid-level models or as standard equipment on Sport derivatives – like the van tested here.

Sport specification

Sport is the top model and includes disc brakes all round rather than drums on the rear, electric mirrors and windows, air-conditioning, front fog lights and 15-inch alloys.

As with all Kangoos, there’s a choice of three power outputs for the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine: 75, 90 or 110hp. Here we’re testing it with the middle 90hp output and standard five-speed manual gearbox (110hp versions get an extra gear).

It doesn’t feel all that quick (even when unladen), but it’s fine for urban driving and can cope with more open roads well enough if needs be.

Low running costs

Claimed average fuel economy is a decent 65.7mpg with CO2 emissions of 112g/km, so ownership and running costs don’t look bad at all.

Sport models also get an Eco mode switch which dulls the throttle response and engine mapping to improve fuel consumption by as much as 10%, says Renault.

Also new as part of the 2013 updates is a gear shift indicator that advises the driver to change up at the optimum time to save fuel.

The brakes on our test vehicle felt a little odd, with little response at the top of the pedal and then a very grabby, over-sensitive reaction beyond that – not ideal for drivers wearing work boots. However, other Kangoos we’ve driven haven’t suffered from the same issue so perhaps it was just a quirk of this particular test vehicle.

Cabin design issues

Sharp brakes apart, the Kangoo drives well and is easy to get used to. The steering wheel adjusts for height, although leg room under the dashboard is still a little cramped for taller drivers.

There are a few other design issues that make life more difficult than it should be in the cabin.

The R-Link screen is set a long way back in the dashboard, which makes using the touchscreen tricky while on the move (the menus and function can be controlled via a dial on the centre console instead). That leaves a large well ahead of it in the dashboard that’s tempting to use to stow documents or small items, but in doing so that blocks the screen – especially annoying if you want to use the sat-nav function – so it feels like wasted space.

Most annoying though, are the two cup holders in the centre of the cabin – one under the dash in front of the handbrake and one above and slightly behind the handbrake. The lower one won’t fit a tall drinks can or flask, and is almost useless anyway as when the handbrake’s released it fills the space above the cup holder.

Likewise, when you go to release the handbrake it’s easy to knock your arm against anything stored in the cup holder above it. There are new designed door pockets which are claimed to hold a 1.5-litre bottle so you can store a small drinks can there.

The centre cubby box between the front seats is tricky to access from the driver’s seat too and its narrow shape limits the type of objects that can be stored inside it.

Practicality

Our van was fitted with a steel tubular bulkhead behind the two seats with a hinged section, so that when the front passenger seat is folded it’s possible to swivel part of the bulkhead forwards to create space to carry longer items.

As standard the Kangoo has a load volume of 3.0 cubic metres and a payload of 600kg but our test van had it increased to 800kg, an option at extra cost. It also featured a passenger-side sliding door for loading.

The rear doors have an asymmetrical layout and can be opened as far as 180 degrees if needs be.

There’s also a lift-up panel in the roof to help carry extra tall items or so that you can slide in long items such as pipes. It delivers added practicality especially when combined with the folding front passenger seat, though it does mean the rear is open to the elements.

Verdict

Overall, the Renault Kangoo is a likeable small van but one with several ergonomic flaws that could become annoying over time.

It’s best suited to small businesses and courier services rather than as a work team van to be used on sites and so on.

We’ve also been testing the longer wheelbase Renault Kangoo Maxi version, which you’ll be able to read about below.

Renault Kangoo Maxi Sport 1.5 dCI 90 review

Tested December 2013 by Liam Campbell

• New Phase II version of Kangoo including redesigned front end
• Two wheelbases (standard and Maxi), three power outputs and three trims (Pure, Core and Sport)
• LWB Sport version with stop/start tested includes TomTom sat-nav and long warranty

Renault's Kangoo has had a makeover with the new ‘Phase II’ version.

The French company claims it has improved the compact Kangoo van with a new, more striking front end, improved interior quality and a more fuel efficient diesel engine.

Driving experience

This 90hp diesel coupled with a five-speed manual gearbox is the same set-up as in the standard wheelbase Kangoo but it is powering more mass.

The initial punch from the engine feels promising, enabling quick, clean getaways from junctions and nipping through towns.

If you continue to rev the engine, however, it soon feels pointless as it quickly becomes breathless, not least because the Eco mode curtails the power to improve fuel consumption. This Eco mode also lights up a green gearstick symbol on the main dash when it recommends a gear change.

Once you get towards 3,000rpm it feels like the engine has given up and it’s better to use the pulling power which is at its maximum at 1,750rpm.

Running costs

Renault reckons an average of just over 60mpg but real world driving had the trip computer revealing 46mpg average with a mix of town, country and dual carriageways.

Still it is a useful improvement over the old version and it’s helped by the fitting of stop/start technology - vans dubbed ‘Energy’ have this system.

Verdict

The Maxi is aimed at small business who want cheap running costs but without sacrificing carrying capacity. It will also appeal to fleets looking to reduce costs but maintain flexibility for business use.

This longer wheelbase version takes the rear load space out to just over two metres, and specify the hinged cage bulkhead then the front passenger seat folds to give a load length of just over 2.4 metres.

The Kangoo is not the last word in modern van design but the redesign and improvements in running costs keeps it in the game.

Completing the set, this is the Parkers Vans review of the Renault Kangoo Formula Edition – which as with the Trafic Formula Edition and Master Formula Edition, celebrates the link between the Renault Pro+ van business and the Renault Formula 1 team.

Like its bigger brothers, the Kangoo Formula Edition comes in a striking black and yellow colour scheme, and is based on the Business+ specification, topped up with a number of included extras.

It’s available with either the dCi 90 or dCi 110 1.5-litre diesel engine, but only as a panel van in the standard (ML) or maxi (LL) body lengths – so you can’t have a crew van or a Kangoo ZE electric version.

Here we’re testing the standard length ML19 dCi 110, with the added bonus of the EDC automatic gearbox, which is also new to the Kangoo range.

What’s different about the Renault Kangoo Formula Edition?

This is all about the look of the thing, really. The black paint is a surprisingly eye-catching deep pearlescent metallic that shines beautifully in the sun, while the Sirius Yellow accents mean that this is one little van that’s sure to draw the attention of even casual observers.

You might think it looks a bit much in the pictures – and we’re inclined to agree. But consider it as a means of advertising your business, and it’s surely going to stick in the mind of potential customers much more than a plain white alternative.

The full list of Formula Edition visual upgrades is as follows:

• Pearlescent black paint
• 15-inch black alloy wheels (with yellow centres)
• Formula Edition side graphics (yellow)
• Black front grille (accented in yellow)
• Fog light surrounds (yellow)
• LED daytime running lights

As it’s based on the Business+ trim level you also get body-coloured front and rear bumpers, plus gloss black door mirrors.

This particular van is fitted with some interesting options as well – including a second side loading door (£230), and a sliding roof flap (£220) so you can stick longer objects out of the top. Can’t say we’ve ever seen anyone using one of these flaps on the road, but it’s a clever way of making a small van more practical.

What do you get inside the Renault Kangoo Formula Edition?

A smart set of Formula Edition floor mats and a leather steering wheel, which adds a desperately needed touch of additional luxury to the Kangoo’s rather plain and no-nonsense cab design. Cruise control comes as standard, too.

Again, this van has some options. A swivelling mesh bulkhead replaces the standard fixed item; complete with folding passenger seat, this is another way this small van works hard to be more practical – and the combo is reasonably priced at £225.

Renault has also added automatic lights and wipers (£210) and the R-Link sat-nav infotainment system (£675 plus £90 for European mapping).

Powered by TomTom, R-Link has impressive traffic avoidance and also includes DAB radio and Bluetooth, but is a bit fiddly to use in the Kangoo. It’s difficult to take advantage of the touchscreen capability as the monitor is buried deep in the dashboard, and the button controls that replace this aren’t especially intuitive.

What’s the Renault Kangoo EDC automatic gearbox like?

This is our first chance to try a Kangoo with the EDC ’box, and we’re impressed – in fact, it works better here than in most Renault cars we’ve tried it in.

This is an automatic transmission of a similar design to the Volkswagen DSG system, which means it’s quick to react and very definite with its gearshifts. So you don’t get that slushy, imprecise feeling that sometimes plagues conventional automatics.

Paired with the Kangoo’s most powerful engine – the 1.5-litre dCi 110 produces 110hp and 250Nm of torque – it helps give this van a particularly nippy feel from behind the wheel. It certainly feels faster than the official 12.7 second 0-62mph time would suggest.

Unfortunately, as you’ll see in the value section below, the EDC gearbox is also expensive, and has a significant impact on the Kangoo’s claimed fuel economy.

The actual handling is still a bit rolly-poley, as the Kangoo not only tends to lean quite a bit in the corners but also has some of the slowest steering in the small van sector – meaning you have to turn the wheel a lot when making sharper turns.

But overall we found this version rather fun to drive, which suits the look of it perfectly.

What’s the load area like in the Renault Kangoo Formula Edition?

Aside from the options fitted to this particular example, the Formula Edition’s load area is the same as any other Kangoo.

In the shorter ML guise as tested, that means the following dimensions:

• Maximum load length: 1,731mm 
• Maximum load height: 1,476mm 
• Maximum load width: 1,219mm 
• Width between the wheelarches: 1,218mm 

The optional folding bulkhead and front passenger seat boost the loading length to 2,502mm, while the flap in the roof gives you the option to load much taller items, too. Just don’t get carried away…

All the bells and whistles on the Formula Edition will bring down the maximum payload, however, so don’t plan on carrying much more than 600kg.

Parkers Vans ranks small vans by payload

Is the Renault Kangoo Formula Edition good value?

The difference between the Kangoo Business+ and the equivalent Kangoo Formula Edition is £1,600 (plus VAT) at the time of writing. That’s not exactly small change, so you’ll have to weigh up just how much you think the distinctive looks mean to you – or your business.

The EDC gearbox is likely to be even more of a luxury, as it demands a £2,000 ex-VAT premium over the standard manual gearbox. It also has a surprisingly large negative impact on the Kangoo’s fuel economy, with Renault claiming 55.4mpg for the EDC and 64.2mpg for the cheaper dCi 110 manual.

How much are you prepared to pay the convenience of not having to use a clutch in traffic? All told, this dCi 110 EDC costs £20,145 basic – before any other options. This is not a thrifty small van.

Parkers Vans ranks small vans by mpg

On top of that, Renault has recently reduced its warranty from four year to three – though you still get the same 100,000-miles of coverage. Cheaper servicing deals are now available instead, however.

Still, you do get a good amount of standard equipment beyond the Formula Edition goodies outlined above, including:

• Alarm with deadlocks and remote locking
• Electronic stability control (ESC)
• Hill-start assist
• Grip Xtend for low traction surfaces
• Electric front windows
• Air-conditioning
• Rear parking sensors
• Rubber load floor covering
• Six load lashing points

Verdict

This van is distinctive and good to drive on the one hand, brash and almost eye-wateringly expensive on the other.

And since there are already other small vans we would choose over the Kangoo – the Ford Transit Connect, VW Caddy and Fiat Doblo Cargo / Vauxhall Combo being the strongest alternatives – it’s difficult to recommend this model unless you’re really taken with the Formula Edition looks.

Rivals to Consider: