If there were Caesars for automobiles, Best Actor would go to the Renault Kangoo for its more than chameleon-like side in taking on many roles, such as: taxi, firefighter, postman, delivery man, transporter, policeman, customs officer, community agent, craftsman, etc. A performance executed brilliantly and this is partly the reason for its notorious growth. Indeed, beyond the police, gendarmerie, customs, Red Cross, ambulances, firefighters, Vigipirate sentries, La Poste, public or private institutions and even Darty – the list is not exhaustive – the Renault Kangoo has also won the hearts of private individuals. The recipe for such success is based on very precise specifications: combining utility and modularity. But it would be far too crude to sum up the success of the Kangoo to a commercial objective. Because the Renault Kangoo, like the series of the 90s, marked an entire generation and, like some of these series of yesteryear, continues to be successful, including today. But then how was Renault, with its third generation of Kangoo, able to forge a personality such that – when you take it for a ride – you can still perceive from others motorists or pedestrians such a capital of sympathy? This third generation of the Kangoo breaks with the cubic side and has softened, thus tending towards elegance.

Modularity that has been thought out in a human way

First of all, there is the Kangoo spirit and philosophy: "never neglect the second row or any passenger" and this "criterion is essential in the choice,” explains Jean-Louis Wiedemann, van sales director at Renault. All of the modularity has been thought out in a human way, with human concerns as the primary concern. And for good reason, it's a whole engineering that has been deployed to facilitate access, preserve optimal head guard and knee comfort, then put the plethora of vehicle users at ease: children, toddlers – to the delight of parents who no longer have to bend over to tighten seat belts or install seats – without neglecting people with reduced mobility.

"Socially responsible vehicle"

In particular on the Kangoo with transport facilities for people with reduced mobility (TPMR) prepared by Renault tech, with access by the trunk with a retractable ramp that slides under the vehicle. This results in more user-friendly access for the seats, which are now closer to the others, while remaining at the same height as the other passengers. Whatever the type of seat, the inclination has been minimized, which has the effect of improving comfort and erasing the sensations of transport sickness. In the continuity of these benevolent attentions, Renault has taken care to install a USB socket, as well as a button to adjust the sag suspensions.

A vehicle that adapts to all uses

Professionals and craftsmen will be served, because even in the absence of a second row, everything has still been very well optimized. Spending most of their time in the vehicle, they will appreciate the attention to sound comfort, and the muffling of the many sound sources allowing a gain of 8 decibels, thanks to the acoustic and sound improvement of the Kangoo.The Renault Kangoo remains a very pleasant car to drive thanks to the central armrest, it is a pleasure to rack up the miles, even forgetting that you are driving a van. On-board comfort is notable, including on rough roads where vibrations are perfectly absorbed. Flawless engine responsiveness means that even with a Kangoo loaded with 280 kg at the rear, it does not struggle at all, including when overtaking. The gearshift is smooth, its precise steering and its agility invite you to escape, travel and even get off the beaten track. Maneuvering in urban areas is made easier and safer thanks to the reversing camera. In addition, in urban areas, we appreciate its maneuverability and its many driving aids.

To each his own configuration

"The intelligence of this vehicle was from the start to adapt to its customers", analyzes Jean-Louis Wiedemann. This was possible thanks to the infinite combinations made possible by the know-how of Renault Tech, among others. The strength of the Kangoo is to be able to tilt or raise the seat with one hand (with sandwich in the other). The demonstration is stunning. Riding in a Kangoo may not be very appealing to some people and yet it is a vehicle without the hassle. Imagine you're out and about and you want to leave with loads that weren't planned, it doesn't matter, it's Kangoo's life, we recline the seats and we don't ask no questions. You are the best of movers! And if you lack space, there are the innovative roof bars, configurable without tools. Note the absence of an upright, to facilitate side loading from the sidewalk with the Kangoo Van in its “open sesame” version. This results in 1.47m of side opening thanks to the 90 degree front door opening. This version has a passenger seat with a specific mechanism and a cellar for storing the headrest. This allows the seat to be lowered to push the grid partition thus obtaining a flat floor up to the dashboard for transporting long loads. Among the many possible variations of the Kangoo, there is the pick-up, prepared by Focaccia. With an aluminum box and covered with a plastic coating on the cargo area. But the most impressive variation remains the one prepared and transformed by the coachbuilder Durisotti, with an all-purpose vehicle, screen-printed then equipped with a gallery surmounted by a light ramp with horn, penetration lights and a search light, in its color Fireman red.We were particularly impressed by the ergonomics of the smartphone holder, which adapts to left-handed or right-handed people. An adjustable foot that is easily installed in a box, above the steering wheel,which contains two USB sockets and cigarette lighter to store the wires. Engine level, there are two petrol versions 1.3 TCe 100 and 130 hp, linked to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Promising a consumption of 6.7L/100. Available in a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. On the diesel side, the new Kangoo is available in a 1.5 blue dCi 75, 95 and soon 115 hp version. The electric version Kangoo e-Tech will be available for from 2022.