Renault Kangoo ZE Review

Practicality and Boot Space

Renault knows that every business is different, so the list of models and options for the Kangoo is a bit bewildering. You can have two different body lengths, add windows, hi-vis stripes, bulkheads, shelving and all sorts of other bits and pieces to make it work for you.

In its biggest form, called the Maxi, you get 4.6m3 of space and a payload of around 600kg – that’s enough for 71 crates of soft drink cans. It can be accessed by two sliding side doors, or ‘barn’ style side hinged rear doors.

The smaller standard van has less length between the wheels, so the load space is more compact. 

If you need to carry people and loads, then the crew van is a neat option: the rear seats can be folded down when you don’t need to carry people and the bulkhead also moves forward to protect the driver and the front passengers from shifting loads.

Technology

People who buy vans generally have a close eye on the spreadsheets and that means Renault will want to keep the list price low and relegate any luxury gadgets to the options list. This makes some sense, as there’s no point having expensive features on a vehicle which will never use them.

That said, a basic Kangoo ZE with no options would be a desolate place to spend your working life. The only real concession to tech is a DAB radio with AUX input, CD, Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

Tick a few boxes on the order form and things soon look brighter though, especially if you choose the R-Link option. This brings a 7” touchscreen with TomTom navigation and an ‘Eco Driving Coach’ giving you handy tips to improve your driving style. You can control the system from the screen, via steering wheel controls or use voice commands. 

One of the most useful parts of R-Link in the ZE is the ability to remotely warm the interior of the Kangoo while it’s still connected to a charger, saving the battery power and making de-icer obsolete. 

Safety

Renault has a decent reputation for safety for its cars, with some really strong scores from the independent crash test organisation EuroNCAP. However, it hasn’t tested any form of Kangoo since 2012, when it got a four-star score. 

If it did test one now, we think there are several parts which would cause a few furrowed brows among the safety-conscious boffins. Firstly, only a driver’s airbag is standard, with passenger and side bags relegated to the options list. We can understand why – many Kangoos will never have anyone sat in the passenger seat – but it still seems a little Scrooge-like. 

The accident prevention technology is notable by its absence too. Gadgets such as automated braking and lane departure warning aren’t even listed on the options list, despite being common on cars these days. Away from the electronics, the Kangoo gets a plus point for its standard steel bulkhead to keep the driver safe from the load in an accident.