Renault’s brand new Kadjar has arrived and it resembles an older sibling of the Captur with a Nissan Qashqai influence – which comes as no surprise considering the Renault-Nissan alliance.
Speaking of the Kadjar's importance to Renault, Head of Design Laurens van den Acker said:
‘I think it is no secret that we are very late with this segment. It is a big gap in our line-up that we have finally filled, and it is very important for us to finally have a C crossover.’
Engine
When it comes to the engine, Renault gives customers three choices with two of them borrowed from the hugely successful Qashqai.
The most economical model up for grabs is the 108bhp 1.5 litre, which produces emissions of just 99g/km and offers fuel economy of 74.3mpg. If you’re looking for something a little racier, the 128bhp 1.6 litre version can take you from 0–62mph in 9.9 seconds – almost 3 seconds faster than that of the 108bhp. However, emissions are higher at 115g/km. If diesel isn’t really your thing, a 128bhp 1.2 litre TCe petrol version is also available.
Laurens van den Acker, said: ‘We have the benefit of very good engines, with low CO2 values. I think when you look at this in terms of CO2, engines, quality, design and flexibility and functionality of the interior, you have a very strong package.’
Exterior
Whilst there is an abundance of crossovers on the market, the impressive external design ensures the Kadjar will hold its own. A more rugged, sporty version of the Captur, the Kadjar features strong body work and large wheel arches – striking the perfect balance between city style and off-road capability.
Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the Kadjar is the LED headlights that appear to take inspiration from the DeZir concept car with the same slender yet powerful design. Between these lies the huge, diamond shaped Renault logo, perfectly setting off the front of the vehicle. All of this contributes to making the Kadjar look slick and dominant without being overly intrusive.
Technology
Inside, you can expect cutting edge Renault technology including the latest R-link 2 centre. The R-link 2 facilitates voice control, navigation, Bluetooth and radio within one user-friendly, central interface. There’s also an option of a rear-view camera to assist with parking and an engine stop-start function.
Safety
The Kadjar isn’t just a pretty car – it’s pretty safe too. One of the best features is lane assist. Lane assist stops your car from drifting out of its lane on the motorway, thus reducing the chance of an accident. It works by using a camera built into the driver’s rear-view mirror to monitor the road markings and prevent an unintended deviation. In addition to these, there’s automatic emergency braking and road sign recognition to ensure you’re always conscious of speed limits.
Technical
Let’s break it down:
- Ground clearance – 19cm
- Departure angles – 18 and 25 degrees
- Length – 4.45m
- Width – 1.84m
- Height – 1.6m
- Boot capacity – 472 litres
Practicality
One of the main strengths of the Kadjar is its practicality. It doesn’t look out of place in an urban environment but still manages to take off-road journeys in its stride. Combine this with the fold down seats and extensive boot space and you’ve found the perfect vehicle for new adventures.