Once upon a time, it was the Renault Kangoo that set the trend in this segment. In this article, we will figure out whether it is worth considering this "workhorse" for purchase, taking into account significant mileage and difficult operating conditions on our roads.
This publication continues a series of articles by the Autoportal dedicated to the selection and purchase of used cars. You can find the full list of offers in the "Used cars" section on our website.
General data
- Body: station wagon with four doors
- Number of seats: 5
- Dimensions (L/W/H), mm: 3995/1663/1827
- Wheelbase, mm: 2600
- Ground clearance, mm: 140
- Trunk space, l: 600/2600
- Curb weight, kg: 1065
- Maximum weight, kg: 1645
- Payload capacity, kg: 580
- In total, 8 power units were offered: four petrol: 1.2 l (59 hp), 1.4 l (75 hp), 1.2 16V (75 hp), 1.6 16V (95 hp).
- Four diesel: 1.5 dCi (65 hp), 1.5 dCi (82 hp), 1.9 D (55 and 65 hp) and 1.9 dTi (80 hp).
- Transmission: manual with 5 gears or automatic with 4 ranges
- Drive type: front or plug-in all-wheel drive (available since 2002)
- Front brake mechanisms: ventilated discs
- Rear brakes: drum type
Historical background
- 1997 - first appearance of the model
- 2001 – update of the exterior and technical aspects
- 2002 - appearance of the all-wheel drive version
- 2007 - end of production of the model
The car gained recognition both among large companies and private entrepreneurs, which is explained by low maintenance costs and decent operational characteristics.
The layout of the interior space of the "Renault Kangoo" resembles more a minibus than a passenger car. This feeling is enhanced by the panoramic windshield. There is especially much free space above the head: with a body width of 169 cm, the height of the car reaches 183 cm. The driver's seating position is high, like in a minivan or SUV. Thanks to this volume above the windshield, it was possible to organize a spacious luggage shelf stretching across the entire width of the cabin.
On it, for example, it is convenient, as in a case, to place a short-barreled rifle or a disassembled fishing rod — in short, any elongated object.
Interior
On the road, the "Kangoo" takes up no more space than a regular golf-class hatchback — its length is about 4 meters. However, unlike such cars, this "car for life" is equipped with a full-fledged three-seat rear sofa. Passengers get to the second row through a sliding door on the right side, which simplifies boarding in tight parking lots. Since 1999, an option with an additional sliding door on the left has become available for the model.
The trunk is distinguished by its capacity. In terms of volume, it is comparable to a cargo van, allowing the transportation of a large number of things. The rear row of seats folds easily, turning the luggage compartment into a space of 2,600 liters, which can freely accommodate a large TV in a box or a medium-sized refrigerator.
Some "Kangoo" owners adapt the trunk for transporting pets. As practice shows, it is precisely such cars that are often chosen by owners of large dogs.
The quality of trim materials in the "Renault Kangoo" is far from ideal. However, one should not expect anything else from an inexpensive utilitarian model. But the assembly and joining of interior panels do not cause complaints — the cabin does not emit extraneous squeaks while driving.
Pay attention to how the side sliding door closes. If the mechanism works poorly, this is a reason for bargaining. Also, over time, the electric sunroof located in the rear part of the roof may start to jam.
Body
The "Renault Kangoo" withstands corrosion quite well, but during inspection, attention should be paid to the wheel arches and the lower part of the front doors. In these areas, the paintwork often wears down to the metal. If the car does not have mud flaps installed, it is better to install them immediately after purchase.
It is worth considering that even in official services, this seemingly simple procedure is undertaken without much enthusiasm. Due to the unification of parts, mud flaps arrive at service centers as semi-finished products, and their fitting requires significant effort.
Power units
The "Renault Kangoo" was equipped with petrol four-cylinder engines with a volume of 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 liters, producing 60, 75 and 95 horsepower, respectively. The most common diesel versions have a power of 64 and 80 hp.
Petrol engines are considered reliable. However, due to the quality of Ukrainian fuel, injectors become clogged after 40,000-50,000 km of mileage. Low-quality fuel with a high resin content can lead to jamming of valves in the guides. There are also frequent cases of failure of the crankshaft and temperature sensors. Fortunately, their replacement, as well as the cost of the parts themselves, will not hit the budget. It is important to remember: engines prefer maintenance at specialized stations.
Replacing even the timing belt (replacement interval — every 60,000 km) in a non-warranty service can turn into serious problems. Often, along with the belt, the water pump has to be replaced, which by this time begins to leak — traces of coolant appear on it, or, as mechanics say, it begins to "sweat".
It is better to refuse the purchase of diesel modifications of the Kangoo – they do not tolerate domestic diesel fuel well. In engines with a volume of 1.9 liters, due to this, breakdowns of valves in the injection pump occurred, and in units with direct injection (1.5 and 1.9 l), fuel pumps and injectors failed.
Gearbox
Most Renault Kangoo cars are equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox. On all-wheel drive versions, it works in conjunction with a two-speed transfer case. Petrol modifications could be equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The manual works clearly, no extraneous play or noise in the gear lever is observed even after 100 thousand km of mileage.
Over time, slight "fogging" may appear on the gear shift rod seal. Although the oil leak is insignificant, it is worth regularly checking its level in the gearbox. Replacing the clutch will not be cheap.
Chassis
At the front, the Renault Kangoo has an independent spring suspension, at the rear — a semi-independent torsion beam. Both axles are equipped with anti-roll bars. The suspension is quite comfortable — it handles small road surface defects without difficulty.
The silent blocks of the front arms last up to 80 thousand km, ball joints — somewhat less, about 60-70 thousand km. The rear torsion beam can last a very long time, but only if the car is not overloaded beyond the permissible norm.
The brake system is distinguished by its sharpness, but at the same time, deceleration is easy to control. Front pads wear out after 25-30 thousand km, rear ones can last up to 60 thousand km. The front brake discs do not have protective covers for better cooling, so their replacement may be required already after about 70 thousand km.
With power steering, the steering wheel is quite light when maneuvering, and there are usually no problems with the hydraulics. Steering tips last about 60 thousand km.
Cost of spare parts and maintenance
Prices for spare parts cannot generally be called high, but, as with most French brands, there is a spread. As for interchangeability, many elements of the suspension, engine and transmission fit from other models, for example, the Renault Clio. So there will be no problems finding parts.
Among owners, there is an opinion that, despite the relative simplicity of the design, the car is demanding on the quality of maintenance. Some operations are better entrusted to professionals or an official dealer.
There are enough such cars at auto dismantling yards, prices for parts are average, so there are no difficulties in finding used spare parts.
For example:
- hood - $150
- front shock absorber - $50
- front caliper - $50
- front fender - $80
- turbo for diesel - $400
- air conditioning radiator - $100
Conclusions
One can debate the driving qualities and level of comfort of the Kangoo, but in terms of practicality and functionality, few passenger cars can compare with this "pie". If the budget for a full-fledged minivan is limited, and you want exactly a versatile car, the considered model can be a good choice.
The main thing is to avoid buying a specimen that was previously used for commercial purposes (and there are many of them). This can backfire, especially when it comes to the diesel version.
The price range looks like this: from $5000 for a car from 1998. The upper limit reaches $11500 — that is how much they ask for an imported "passenger" version from 2007.
You can view the catalog of used cars on our pages by going to the "Used cars" section.
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