Review of the new Renault Kangoo Compact

Sometimes even a compact van is too big and for just such an occasion, Renault has fashioned the Renault Kangoo Compact. The clue's in the title because this is a smaller version of the standard Kangoo boasting a shorter wheelbase and a truncated overall length. It's obviously cheaper than its full-sized sibling but will that be enough to persuade customers that it makes better commercial sense?

There's no doubt that lots of van operators have drivers out on the road with far more space inside their vehicles than they need. All that redundant capacity isn't particularly cost effective but it's understandable that when specifying a vehicle for their business, operators tend towards the larger model just in case. The Kangoo Compact could fall victim to this desire to have carrying capacity in reserve but Renault hopes that its smaller size and superior manoeuvrability will count in its favour, particularly with urban businesses.

The Kangoo Compact is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine or one of two 1.5-litre dCi common-rail diesels. As tends to be the way in UK commercial vehicles, it's the diesels that will account for the majority of sales. The petrol engine is a 90bhp 1.6-litre 8-valve. Packing a 128Nm maximum torque rating, it lacks the muscle of even the entry-level diesel which has 70bhp but 160Nm. The 1.5-litre oil-burners are familiar units used across the Renault range of small cars and vans and the Kangoo Compact is available with the 70bhp and 85bhp versions which impress most from a fuel economy standpoint. They don't move the little Kangoo with any great zest and can sound harsh when pushed into the upper realms of the rev range but in terms of fuel economy, they're amongst the best units of their type. Operators can expect 53.3mpg from the 70bhp engine and 55.4mpg from the 85bhp option. The petrol comes up with a disappointing 35mpg.

".downsizing to a Compact does have its advantages"

The Kangoo's underpinnings are borrowed from Renault's Scenic passenger car and these origins are felt out on the road. The ride is more compliant and forgiving over the worst surface imperfections than we've come to expect in a compact van but the flipside is that body-control is a little wayward when you press the Kangoo into corners. The shorter wheelbase of the Kangoo Compact gives a less composed ride than in the larger model but it provides a wonderfully tight turning circle of just 9.7m which makes the Compact superb in congested urban settings. As a reference point, the Renault Twingo city car has a 9.85m turning circle. The Compact has great forward visibility courtesy of the huge windscreen and truncated bonnet, while the well-weighted steering and positive gearchange also impress.

The Compact model is significantly smaller than the standard Kangoo. The wheelbases of the two are 2,313mm and 2,697mm, the standard load volumes are 2.3m3 and 3m3 and the maximum payloads are 500kg and either 650 or 800kg. You get the general idea. Renault has aimed to bring elements of its Scenic MPV to the Kangoo's interior, creating what it likes to refer to as a 'mobile office' concept. There's certainly a good quota of storage options provided even in the Compact version with large door pockets and an A4-sized compartment in the dashboard complete with pen holders.

The Kangoo's basic dashboard design is lifted wholesale from the Scenic MPV with its two-tone finish and dash-mounted gearlever. By the standards of the compact van market, quality of fit and finish is impressive. There's also an upright driving position that facilitates easy entries and exits. An enormous amount of headroom is present in the front of the Kangoo and space for driver and passenger is more than adequate in other dimensions too. Only the passenger legroom, which is restricted by the sloping floor, gives any cause for concern.

The size of the Kangoo Compact's load bay might lead you to suspect otherwise but it can actually squeeze in a standard Europallet. The point of access to the cargo is the asymmetrically-split rear doors. These open to a 90 degree angle but releasing a catch inside allows them to swing out to 180 degrees. There are various bulkhead options including a mesh grill that swings open to increase the payload capacity and a full steel bulkhead that increases refinement and security. A ladder flap is also available so long items can be poked out through the roof at the rear of the van.

This Renault has been designed to minimise operating costs in all its forms. As well as the economical engines and the long service intervals, the wings are made of a composite material so they're cheaper to repair. Various small design modifications have also been made to cut labour time needed in the repair process.

The Kangoo Compact is an interesting product in terms of its market positioning. It goes head to head with the diminutive Citroen Nemo and Peugeot Bipper models and together, these sub-compact vans could well put the squeeze on the car-derived van sector below. They're certainly more practical than the crop of hollowed-out superminis that are currently offered to operators needing to carry small loads around town. Despite this, Renault predicts that only 10 per cent of overall Kangoo sales will be accounted for by the Compact.

Safety equipment on all Kangoos includes an advanced ABS system with brake assist and MSR torque overrun regulation, a driver's airbag and pretensioner seatbelts. ASR traction control and ESC stability control are available as options but only on the larger model.

The Renault Kangoo Compact won't be for everyone, precisely because it is so compact but if you never approach the limits of a conventional small van, downsizing to a Compact does have its advantages. Enhanced manoeuvrability is a quality not to be underestimated, particularly in urban areas and the smaller Compact will also save you money on the purchase price. Otherwise, the product is virtually identical to the full-sized Kangoo, a practical, functional and well-built small van.

The Compact will only account for a small proportion of Kangoo sales and its choppier ride means it probably isn't the choice for the open road. Around town, however, its cute looks and ultra-tight turning circle should win it enough admirers.