Renault Kadjar 1.7 dCi 4×4 - did the buyers want this?

Renault Kadjar has been on the market for 4 years, and yet the manufacturer did not dare to make drastic changes in the facelift. Only the engines have really changed. Do the French know what they are doing?

Renault Cajar This is a fairly popular car, but after 4 years of production, buyers often expect something new. Perhaps, however, Renault customers like the current Kadjar so much that if it changed too much, they would lose interest in it. Manufacturers usually listen to customer feedback and, at least on the occasion of a facelift, try to improve what didn’t work the first time or could be a little better.

Block Renault Cajar it's actually very pretty, so after the facelift, only the chrome front bumper surround was added, the large surface of the bumpers was painted, and the turn signals were integrated with the LED daytime running lights. In more expensive versions, we will get LED fog lights.

Likewise with the cabin. The changes here are not big, but noticeable. It turned out a completely different multimedia system - now it's the new R-Link 2, similar to Megan's and all the newer Renault. The air conditioning panel is also new - very elegant and comfortable.

Better materials were also used in the interior. And feel it because I remember Kajarawhich we received after the premiere. Everything creaked in that one, although this may have been a feature of the early model. Doesn't creak... NOTHING! The quilted upholstery also looks beautiful.

The interior is quite ergonomic, but the operation of the cruise control is still quite different than in German cars. We turn on the cruise control with the switch on the central tunnel, and then control it on the steering wheel. Strange idea, but once we find the button, it won't bother us.

I also thought for a long time that in the checked Early Qajar there is no seat heating, but there is! The buttons are located under the armrest in such a place that we will not notice them from the driver's seat.

Why do you love Renault Kadjar, so as not to change too much?

For example, for chairs - sorry for the rhyme. They hold well on the sides, the headrest can be raised high, and we also have seat length adjustment that taller people will appreciate. It would be even better if it was possible to adjust the height of the front of the seat - perhaps this is possible in the version with electric seat adjustment. We will receive electric regulation only at the highest level of Intens for an additional 700 PLN.

Behind, too, nothing to complain about - Renault Cajar This is not a limousine, so although tall people will not sit “behind themselves”, but in real use there will be more than enough space for children, adults up to about 175 cm tall, probably too.

Chest Renault Cajar it is also exclusively family oriented. It has a completely flat floor and a capacity of 472 liters. The seats can be folded out of the trunk and thus get 1478 liters. When I left alone for a few days with only one bag, I felt how much this space was gone with me. And what is “delegation” of rights.

Compressor motors

I can't help but feel like I'm working together Nissan and Renault put the facelift parts together. Both Qashqaiи Qajar - twin cars - during the facelift, they underwent similar changes. So outwardly they have not changed much, maybe a little inside, but the power units have been completely replaced.

Under the hood Kajara 1.3 TCe (Nissan DIG-T) petrol engines were also used in 140 and 160 hp variants. It looks like a small engine in a fairly large car, but on the other hand, the same engine can be found in a Mercedes. And it immediately becomes more prestigious.

As for the diesel, we have the new 1.5 Blue dCi with 115 hp, front-wheel drive and a choice of 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic, and the only all-wheel drive option is the 1.7 Blue dCi with 150 hp. hp This engine is not available in automatic version.

i tested Renault Kadjar 4×4 version. The maximum torque here is a solid 340 Nm, but according to the technical data in the price list, it is available pointwise at 1750 rpm. The torque curve is probably relatively flat because you might feel like the car still has a lot of "steam" after going over this, but maybe it slackens off a bit after crossing the curve's inflection point.

Performance is satisfactory, but not amazing. Up to 100 km/h Renault Cajar accelerates in 10,6 seconds and travels at a maximum of 197 km/h. Compared to front-wheel drive versions, this performance will be available more often thanks to all-wheel drive. This drive engages the rear axle when it detects a front wheel skid or when it determines the risk of a skid based on data from the vehicle's computer.

Renault Cajar handles well on loose surfaces and probably handles safely on snow. Even if we drive in the rain, the ESP indicator does not light up after a hard start. A big plus deserves the ability to lock the center differential (more precisely, the clutch).

How does Renault Kadjar drive?

Comfortable. The suspension handles ruts, bumps and similar bumps very well. In addition, there is good sound insulation of the cabin. It is also predictable in corners, the steering wheel is quite straight, but we don’t get much pleasure from this.

This is one of those cars that you can comfortably spend time in, but when you get there, you will remember the views or what you met on the road, not how you drove. It becomes the background. And this is normal, of course - not everyone wants to really get involved in driving.

Since the car is just a backdrop for the journey, the same should be said for the cost of travel. It's easy to go downhill with fuel consumption below 6 l/100 km, so yes, it's possible.

I'm not just a fan of how the shift lever works. Renault Cajar. Unfortunately, this is not very accurate.

Restyling Renault Kadjar - nothing else is needed

My impression is that this facelift was driven more by new CO2 emissions standards than real customer signals. Yes, changing the multimedia system and air conditioning panel was good for Qajar, but probably in the same form Qajar would sell for a few more years.

Although cars are usually a little more expensive after facelift, the Kadjar is still an attractive choice. We tested the most expensive, full version Renault Kadjar - 1.7 dCi 4×4 Intens. And such a car costs PLN 118. You don't have to pay extra for Intens - the Bose audio system costs PLN 900, we can also choose several packages, such as full LED lighting for PLN 3000. zloty. I am only surprised by the fact that, for example, you have to pay extra for an autonomous braking system. This is usually standard for cars in this class.

Nevertheless, we will still buy a large, practical and, most importantly, very comfortable car for what seems to be a well-calculated price.