Renault Kangoo Panel Van (2022 - ) review

Typically, vans in this light segment are offered in two body lengths and a single roof height, and the Kangoo is no exception. Designated ML, the shorter of the two can take a load length of 1806mm, whilst the LL has a capacity of 2230mm at floor level. For those whose priority is volume, these vans offer 3.3 or 4.2 cubic metres of space and, if payload is a critical factor, there’s up to 987kg available in the Kangoo LL, with the ML offering a very creditable 850kg - although these figures vary depending on the trim level. The all-electric Kangoo E-Tech has a 615kg payload, showing that even across fuel types it can carry a decent load. Access to the load area is through twin rear doors, and the Kangoo has a sliding side door on both sides, aiding safe kerbside loading and unloading. Inside, the loadspace is illuminated by the useful (but often overlooked by some manufacturers) LED lighting. Worth checking out is the optional ’Easy Inside’ rack, a set of bars which are lowered from the right-hand side of the van roof allowing for long lengths to be carried without compromising floor space. The storage area extends through the bulkhead and into an enclosed space above the driver. The Kangoo is also available as a crew van, a second row of seats providing accommodation for an additional three passengers.

When launched in 2022, Renault claimed that the new Kangoo was ‘all-new’ and when it comes to the cab interior that’s certainly true. It’s more spacious and modern, the dash being dominated by an 8-inch touchscreen. For a small van, Renault has managed to provide plenty of storage including a lidded compartment and tray on the dash top, a glovebox, door bins (although these are on the modest side), and, on the lower ‘Advance’ trim level, there’s a deep box with a cushioned lid which also functions as an armrest. The ‘Extra’ Kangoo comes with a bench passenger seat allowing for two people to accompany the driver, although things would probably get quite cosy, and the passenger seated next to the driver might find their knees being troubled by the gear lever housing. It’s only for occasional use, and some potential owners who would like to opt for the Extra trim level might choose the option to delete this bench, preferring the single passenger seat for the extra space. The instrument panel is clear and unambiguous, and despite the presence of the touch screen, some of the controls, particularly those for heating and ventilation remain mechanical, something preferred by many drivers. It’s airy, it’s modern, it’s car-like and the deep dash allows for good forward visibility. There’s very little, if anything that the designers at Renault have overlooked.

There’s a good choice of power units in the Kangoo with a 1.3-litre 100hp petrol, a 1.5-litre 95hp and 115hp diesel and fully electric options available. The 95hp diesel unit is the most economical of the fossil fuelled versions with an official WLTP Combined test cycle result of up to 54.3mpg. All credit to Renault for offering a petrol van (a rapidly diminishing offer in the van world), although this can only achieve 40.9mpg on the same test. The Kangoo E-Tech with its electric powertrain has a Combined test cycle range of 186 miles (although this will decrease in cold weather, under load and when inefficiently driven). Servicing on the petrol and diesel Kangoo is every 18,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first, and the warranty is three years or 100,000 miles. This van is also incredibly affordable to acquire on a lease or finance, making driving one a simple matter of making monthly payments for 2-5 years – and it’s even more affordable if your business is VAT registered.

It’s still relatively new but the previous model Kangoo had no major issues, and the Renault 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine which is used in many other applications has a reputation for being reliable and durable. It seems unlikely that the new Kangoo will cause operators many issues or lengthy (and expensive) downtime.

On paper at least, the Kangoo is lively without being a potential licence loser. Opt for the 115hp dCi engine van and it’ll accelerate from 0-62mph in 12.1 seconds reaching a top speed of 108mph. The 95hp version is just a shade behind it but, perhaps surprisingly the petrol engine van is the slowest of all on the sprint to 62mph, almost a second behind the diesel van which has five fewer horsepower. The hefty 260nm of torque produced by the diesel motor probably explains it, offering a big advantage over the 200nm provided by the petrol engine. This deficit would probably become very apparent when driving the van with a full load in the rear. How does this translate to real world driving? In my time with a 95hp diesel Kangoo, I found the van to be sprightly, that excellent torque output being very evident meaning that the gears didn’t need to be changed down every time a tight bend or short, steep gradient was encountered.

Gone are the days when vans were the poor relation to cars when it came to road manners. It’s unlikely that there are any new vans on the market today that don’t offer a reasonable driving experience with many now having fully independent suspension. However, it’s probably fair to say that the Kangoo sets a new bar. Although only tested unladen, the ride is smooth with all minor bumps and rough road surfaces being absorbed. The steering is precise with excellent feel and feedback, and this, combined with exemplary handling and roadholding, means that a driver might ‘push’ the van a little harder than they might feel competent in doing with a competitor vehicle. The Kangoo is fun to drive, inspires confidence and leaves the driver with a smile on their face at the end of a journey.

Only recently, the Kangoo received a Euro NCAP Gold award in safety tests, achieving NCAP’s second-highest van rating (although some optional equipment may have been included in the test). Standard on every Kangoo is an active Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Alert and a full complement of airbags. This level of safety tech can be upgraded with the likes of Blind Spot Intervention and 360-degree parking sensors at extra cost. There’s perhaps some room for improvement here with competitors offering a broader spectrum of equipment, either as standard or as options.

Although there are two levels of trim available, entry level Advance (originally called Start) provides a reasonable amount of equipment which will probably satisfy most owners. As standard, it has the multimedia unit which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, automatic headlights and wipers, air conditioning, electric windows, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a Thatcham alarm system. Renault vans seem to have security as standard, which is appreciated in this competitive market. Upgrading to Kangoo Extra adds navigation to the multimedia unit (although these days most will probably use Google Maps via their smartphone), and on the van exterior the LL van gets alloy wheels, the ML has body-coloured bumpers added and both vans are blessed with LED headlights and electric folding door mirrors.

The Kangoo doesn’t just look good. It’s a competent workhorse with competitive load-carrying capabilities. There’s that excellent range of power units providing something for everyone, and the cab interior is well thought out with the driver in mind. Build quality is exemplary, too. However, it wouldn’t be a balanced review without mentioning that there are one or two downsides to consider – there’s not a huge amount of safety tech on offer (but security is good), service intervals and the warranty period are not market leading (but are very much in line with competitors), but with that said the Kangoo drives possibly (probably) better than any other light van on the market. One to try out for sure, and I’d be surprised with anyone walking away from it shaking their head - especially when you consider that acquiring one is so competitively priced, especially on a lease or on finance. When the Citroen Berlingo debuted in its 2019 version, many (me included) heralded a new age of small vans, and I feel exactly the same way about this version of the Renault Kangoo.