- Further 4.25t electric van rule changes under consideration
- Arval research uncovers van fleet optimism
- Pre-orders open for new Nissan Interstar
- More than half of UK van drivers now believe EVs more cost effective than ICE, VW finds
- Public EV charging costs preventing adoption for some fleets, AFP says
- Ford Ranger Tremor review
- Inseego awarded Crown Commercial Service framework status
- ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: Electrify and optimise: Digital solutions at the forefront of decarbonisation
- Fleets being pushed to take electric vans due to ZEV mandate, AFP reports
- Buying a used... Citroen Relay (2019)
The What Van? Road Test: Renault Kangoo (2022)
Date: Friday, February 24, 2023
Interior and equipment
Good to see that chunky, user-friendly, switches control the heating and ventilation system and the manual air-conditioning. There are few things more annoying than having to fiddle about with a touchscreen when all you want to do is turn the fan speed up a notch.
Bear in mind that the optional Easylink 8in touchscreen, which looks for all the world as though it has been stuck on as a bit of an afterthought, controls pretty much everything else; so spend a bit of time getting to grips with it before you set off down the road. When we say ‘everything else’ that includes the optional satellite navigation system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the standard DAB radio, although a steering column stalk plays host to remote controls for the latter.
Bluetooth connectivity is included in the Start deal and the dashboard plays host to a 12V power socket and USB ports.
Other kit includes a driver’s airbag, electric windows, heated and electrically-adjustable exterior mirrors, and cruise control with a speed limiter. The intensity of the instrument panel lighting can be adjusted.
Storage facilities include a large, deep, bin between the front seats, bins in each of the doors and a lidded, but not lockable, glove box.
A lidded compartment is positioned just above the instrument panel, a shelf sits on top of the fascia while another shelf sits above the windscreen on the driver’s side. A third one sits at the bottom of the dashboard, just in front of a couple of cup holders.
The aforementioned ladder rack extends into the upper part of the cab. It is boxed in, but the fact that it is so intrusive makes the cab feel a little claustrophobic.
The steering column and the driver’s seat are both height-adjustable.
The headlights illuminate automatically when it gets dark while rain automatically triggers the windscreen wipers. Other standard safety systems include ABS with Emergency Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control and Hill Start Assist.
Traction Control is fitted too and can be switched off.
Our test vehicle was fitted with a variety of additional safety devices, but they were all
extra-cost options. The line-up included Active Emergency Braking System, Blind Spot Intervention, Advanced Lane Keep Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and 360° parking sensors complemented by a rear-view camera.
Disc brakes are fitted at the front and drums at the back. Specify an electric parking brake, and you get discs all round.
Our demonstrator’s non-standard 15in steel wheels were shod with Continental Eco Contact 6 195/65 R15 tyres. Kangoo usually sits on 16in wheels with 205/60 R16 tyres, and we can only assume that supply shortages obliged Renault to deviate from the norm.
View The WhatVan Digital Edition
