Review of the new Renault Kangoo Range

The car version of Renault's van-based Kangoo offers MPV customers oodles of space and practicality in a durable and compact package. It's perfect for the needs of modern families on a budget who don't mind the van-like looks and prioritise sensible virtues and value above all else.

In an age when style so often takes precedence over substance, van-based mini-MPVs like Renault's Kangoo offer a refreshing alternative, single-mindedly focusing on getting the job done with scant regard for the aesthetics. OK, so the cars in this sector are based in light commercial vehicles? What of it? After all, smaller vans these days are usually based on cars - this one for example, is based on the MK2 Renault Scenic.

At the end of the day, the needs of business people and parents aren't that different: it's about space, durability and cost and whether you're running a fruit and veg stall or a modern household with 2.4 children and a Labrador, the basics you need from your vehicle are similar. That's the genius of the Kangoo and its ilk.

You won't be expecting an exhilarating driving experience - and you won't get it. That said, basing this car on a chassis from a MK2 Renault Scenic rather than an ancient MK2 Clio makes a big difference to the driving experience, notably to the ride. A wide track and a long wheelbase help handling and ride quality, while a rear anti-roll bar addresses the problem of body roll that can afflict taller vehicles. You may feel motorway crosswinds a little more than in a convention family hatch however.

At the wheel of a Kangoo, you sit very upright and the huge glass area gives an excellent view ahead. On country toads, there's actually a reasonable amount of grip, whilst in town, light power steering makes it easy to slot into tight spaces, although until you get used to the shape, judging the extremities of the car during parking manoeuvres can be slightly difficult as the bonnet slopes away from you.

"At the end of the day, the needs of business people and parents aren't that different: it's about space, durability and cost."

Performance is leisurely, with even the fastest petrol and diesel models taking 13s to reach sixty from rest on the way to 106mph. At least with the diesel, there's the compensation of prodigious torque - 240Nm of it if you go for the 106bhp version, compared with just 185Nm for the equivalent petrol unit. That means fewer gear changes for diesel drivers and a much more leisurely feel. Only the top diesel gets a 6-speed manual gearbox and only the top petrol model can be ordered in automatic form.

The supermini-MPVs that retail for around the same amount as this model may look more car-like but they're nothing like as spacious. The Renault's commercial vehicle shape affords masses of room for three rear seat passengers and a monster of a boot lurking just over their shoulders. The high ceiling creates an airy feel to the cabin and the 60:40 split rear seats fold down to create a flat load floor. This can boost the 660-litre boot capacity to an enormous 2,866 litres if you specify your model with a collapsible front passenger seat. There's also 77 litres of additional storage dotted around the cabin in numerous cubbies and compartments. The various fixtures and fittings are sturdily built but the design does lack a little sparkle. The tough plastics of the otherwise impressive dash hint at the Kangoo's working class roots but are sure to stand the test of time.

Renault has attempted to give the Kangoo's exterior a personality beyond that of a compact commercial vehicle but its designers didn't have a whole lot to work with. The look is chunky and distinctive but it's clearly van-like. Still, there are positives to that. The sliding side doors for example, that open wide to give easy access to the rear seats. Renault has even engineered electric windows that disappear within these doors when lowered. At the rear, the slab like tailgate lifts to reveal a flat load floor and a very low loading height so that there's not too far to hoist heavy items. The parcel shelf can be positioned at two different heights and bear a weight of 50kg, so yes, you can stick the dog on it. Cleverly, it can also be slid down against the back of the rear seats so there are no worries about where to store it when it's not in use.

Prices range in the £11,000 to £14,000 bracket, about the same as you'd pay for this car's closest two rivals, the pretty-much identical Citroen Berlingo Multispace and Peugeot Partner Tepee. Less obviously van-based but similar in concept is Skoda's Roomster, again costing about the same. If you don't need as much space but still need something more versatile than a supermini, supermini-MPVs like Renault's own Grand Modus and Vauxhall's Meriva might fit the bill within the same kind of budget.

Given the Kangoo's utilitarian focus, it's no surprise that the array of engines on offer have been chosen to offer efficiency, economy and little beyond that. A pair of 1.6-litre units make up the petrol range - a 90bhp 8-valver and another with 105bhp and 16-valves. The 1.5-litre diesels make more sense if you can afford the £1,000-£1,500 premium over their petrol equivalents. The choice boils down to 68bhp, 86bhp and 106bhp versions of this common-rail injection dCi engine. It's also worth mentioning that a short wheelbase three-door version of the Kangoo is available, christened the Be Bop. This model has less space and doesn't ride in such a composed manner but it looks cute and the price is right.

Standard equipment across the range includes remote central locking, electric front windows, a CD radio with fingertip controls and 'see-you-home' lights that remain on for a little spell after you park up at night so that you can see to scrabble around in your bag for those elusive front door keys. Safety stuff runs to ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, plus twin front and side airbags and isofix childseat attachments for the two outside seats in the rear.

If this is key, then stop at nothing to get yourself into one of the diesel versions. The 68bhp unit gets 54.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 138g/km and even the most powerful oil-burner returns 51.4mpg and 146g/km when equipped with the optional particulate filter. With the two petrol units, it's a different story. The 90bhp option returns 34.9mpg on the combined cycle and emissions of 192g/km and the 106bhp option is scarcely any better. Residual values should be reasonable, since these types of cars are proving ever more popular.

In terms of space, durability and low costs, models like this beat conventional small MPVs like Renault's own Scenic or Vauxhall's Zafira hands-down. Kangoo buyers get a cavernous interior that even the most determined children will find it hard to pull to bits, plus tonnes of carrying capacity. This is a simple, no nonsense proposition that gets on with the job of transporting a family without worrying too much about keeping up appearances. Substance over style: there's a lot to be said for that.

TOP 5 KANGOO DEALS

The results below show the top KANGOO deals on buyacar

Renault Kangoo 1.5 dCi 68 Extreme 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £10,433 Click for a Kangoo Review	Save £1,773
Renault Kangoo 1.5 dCi 106 Expression 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £12,172 Click for a Kangoo Review	Save £2,180
Renault Kangoo 1.5 dCi 86 Expression 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £11,550 Click for a Kangoo Review	Save £2,035
Renault Kangoo 1.5 dCi 86 Extreme 5dr Diesel Estate
Price £10,847 Click for a Kangoo Review	Save £1,870
Renault Kangoo 1.5 dCi 86 I-Music 5dr Estate Special Eds
Price £11,964 Click for a Kangoo Review	Save £2,132