Renault Kangoo Estate (2009 - 2012) practicality

The Kangoo was awarded four stars out of five by Euro NCAP for its performance in crash tests which is reasonable rather than spectacular. It also received four stars for child occupant safety and the rear seat has been strengthened to withstand the force of any items thrown forward from the boot in the event of an impact. ESP stability control is available on Expressions models, but only as an optional extra.

Driver and passenger front and side airbags are standard while front and rear curtain airbags are an option.

This is where the Kangoo excels. It's an ideal car for families - especially those that are always on the go - and the twin sliding doors are a great feature. Not only do they make getting in and out very simple, but they're also useful in tight parking spaces. Unlike conventional doors, there's also no danger of them hitting the car parked next door.

The rear seats split and fold down 60/40 and doing so couldn't be simpler. One handle on the top flips the backrest down, creating a level load space. On Expression models, the front passenger seat can be folded down in the same way, making room for objects up to 2.5 metres long. Expression models also come with a rear parcel shelf that can be set at two different heights, a front overhead storage rack and three aircraft-style overhead lockers.

Extreme models still fare well though with a large centre console between the front seats, a 15-litre glovebox and large door pockets, big enough to hold a 1.5-litre bottle. The boot has twin doors, rather than a conventional tailgate, which makes it easier to access in tight spaces such as multi-storey car parks. The luggage area itself is impressive with 660 litres of space available, increasing to a huge 2,600 litres with the seats folded down.