Renault Kangoo gets a mid-life makeover

Since its most recent revision in 2003, over 7,000 Kangoos have been sold in the UK, making it one of the most popular utility vehicles in the country. Now, to build on its continued appeal, Renault has revised the car in several key areas with enhanced specification, new options and a range of new Euro IV emissions compliant engines to ensure the new Kangoo 2006 offers even more practicality and value for money than the model it replaces. The new range is on sale now with prices between £9,725 and £11,825.

A Kangoo to suit every taste
As outlined later, although there are a fair few changes to individual models, the Kangoo trim levels remain the same – Authentique, Venture and Expression – with the loss of the 4x4 version, Kangoo Trekka and Authentique 1.5 dCi 80.

Style inside and out
The Renault Kangoo was conceived as a cheeky, fun and practical car with bags of versatility as standard. The company’s designers have opted not to alter this successful recipe, by retaining all of the car’s original character with just a couple of subtle tweaks, such as a new range of body colours and interior trims.

To keep Kangoo 2006 looking fresh, a choice of nine colours will be available, including two new latest additions, Ink Blue and Giverny Green, plus three other metallics.

On the inside, the Venture and Expression models now receive new ‘Gabor’ seat trim and lighter coloured dashboard mouldings to give the cabin a light, contemporary feel, while the Authentique models gain new ‘Patch’ cloth seat upholstery, plus stylish new ‘Littora’ wheel trims on the outside.

Versatility for living
The Kangoo 2006 is more than just an ideal mode of transport for customers requiring a car with a flexible interior and plenty of interior space. As with all Renaults, it comes comprehensively equipped, with standard specification including: 60:40 split folding rear seat, ABS, electric front windows with one-touch functionality (Venture and above), immobiliser and remote central locking.

Customers wishing to turn their functional Kangoo into a funky, family car loaded with kit can choose from wide range of options: 60W CD-radio (£235), air conditioning and pollen filter (£500), alloy wheels (£500), electric front windows (£125), electric panoramic sunroof (£565), extra tinted glass in rear windows and tailgate (£200), front lateral airbags (£200), heat reflective windscreen (£100), metallic paint (£335) and roof bars (£150).

In addition to ordering individual options, four new option packs have also been created, which in keeping with the car’s value for money ethos, can save buyers up to £115 over buying each item separately:

Cool Pack - £950
Air conditioning and electric panoramic sunroof
Electric Pack - £175 (available on Authentique 1.2 16V 75 and dCi 68)

Electrically operated/heated door mirrors, external temperature gauge and trip computer

Family Pack - £100 (standard on Venture and Expression)
Armrest between two front seats, Child Minder mirror, drawer under driver’s seat and rear aviation-style tables

Outdoor Pack - £375
Extra tinted glass in rear windows and tailgate, roof bars

New Euro IV engines
Completing the main revisions to the Kangoo 2006 is the introduction of an all-new range of four Euro IV engines, 1.2 and 1.6-litre petrol versions and two 1.5-litre diesel versions, which also receive a slight hike in power, up from 65hp and 80hp to 68hp and 84hp respectively.

Class-leading safety
Last but by no means least, the Kangoo remains the safest car in its class with its four-star EuroNCAP safety rating, and also benefits from standard ABS with EBA (emergency brake assistance), plus driver and passenger airbags.