Renault Kadjar 2020 review
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
- How practical is the interior space? 8/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 8/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
- What is it like to drive? 7/10
- Verdict
What is Qajar?
This is far from a little-known French phrase or the name of a rarely seen mystical creature. Renault tells us that the Qajar is a mixture of "ATV" and "agile".
Translated, this should give you an idea of what this SUV is capable of and sporty, but we think its most important attribute for Australian buyers is its size.
You see, the Kadjar is a big little SUV… or a small mid-sized SUV… and sits in the Renault lineup between the very small Captur and the big Koleos.
What you need to know is that it sits in a tight gap between popular "middle" SUVs like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V and Nissan X-Trail and smaller alternatives like the Mitsubishi ASX Mazda. CX-3 and Toyota C-HR.
As such, it sounds like the perfect middle ground for many buyers, and wearing the Renault badge has some European appeal to draw people in who are looking for something a little different.
| Renault Kadjar 2020: Life | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 1.3L |
| fuel type | Premium unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 6.3l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $22,400 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
Kadjar is launching in Australia in three flavors: basic Life, mid-range Zen, and high-end Intens.
It's really hard to tell each spec from the looks, with the biggest draw being the alloy wheels.
The entry-level Life starts at $29,990 - a little more than its Qashqai cousin, but justifies it with a pretty impressive array of kits from the start.
Included are 17-inch alloy wheels (not steel for the Kadjar range), 7.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster with dot-matrix gauges, seven-speaker audio system, dual-zone climate control. control with dot-matrix dial displays, cloth-trimmed seats with manual adjustment, ambient interior lighting, turn-key ignition, front and rear parking sensors with rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring, automatic rain-sensing wipers and automatic halogen headlights.
The 7.0-inch multimedia touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Standard active safety includes automatic emergency braking (AEB - only works at city speeds without detecting pedestrians or cyclists).
Zen is next in line. Starting at $32,990, Zen includes all of the above plus upgraded cloth seat trim with additional lumbar support, a leather steering wheel, push-button ignition with keyless entry, puddle lights, front and rear fog lights with front turn function, side parking. sensors (to reach the sensor at 360 degrees), sun visors with illuminated mirrors, roof rails, one-touch folding rear seats, a rear armrest with two cup holders, rear air vents, a raised boot floor, and a heated and auto folding mirror wing.
The active safety specification has been expanded to include Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).
The top-of-the-line Intens ($37,990) gets massive 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels (with Continental ContiSportContact 4 tires), a fixed panoramic sunroof, electrochromatic door mirrors, a Bose premium audio system, power leather seat trim. driver adjustment, heated front seats, LED headlights, LED interior lighting, hands-free automatic parking, automatic high beams, Kadjar branded door sills and optional chrome trim throughout.
The top version of the Intens is equipped with 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels.
All cars are well described but very close to each other in terms of performance and appearance. Good for entry-level buyers, but perhaps not so much for Intens buyers. The only option comes in the form of an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a sunroof package ($1000) for the mid-range trim, plus premium paint for the entire range ($750 - get the blue, that's the best).
It's a shame to see the top-of-the-line Intens lack the large multimedia touchscreen to add flair to the cabin. We are most concerned about the lack of a high-speed radar defense kit that could really lift the Qajar.
In terms of price, it's probably fair to assume you'll be buying the Kadjar over other European-sized niche competitors like the Skoda Karoq (starting at $32,990) and Peugeot 2008 (starting at $25,990).
Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
One of Renault's differences is its design, while the Kadjar differs from the competition in some European flair.
It's present in real life, especially in the premium livery, and I love its large, curved wheel arches and well-equipped chrome trim.
Sculpted headlights front and rear are Renault's hallmark, although the best effect is achieved with blue-tinted LEDs, available only on the top-of-the-line Intens.
One of Renault's differences is its design, while the Kadjar differs from the competition in some European flair.
Compared to some of the competition, one could argue that the Kadjar doesn't look exciting, but at least it doesn't border on controversy like the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
The Kadjar's interior is where it really shines. It's certainly a step above the Qashqai when it comes to trim, and it has plenty of nice, well-designed touches.
The raised console and dash are finished in a variety of nifty chrome and greys, though there isn't much difference between each option other than the seats - again, that's good for base car buyers.
Qajar is present in real life, especially in premium paints.
The digital instrument cluster is neat and, combined with ambient lighting across the range, creates a more upmarket ambience in the cabin than the Eclipse Cross or Qashqai, though not as crazy as the 2008. With a few options installed, the Karoq is arguably giving Renault a run for its money.
Other touches to appreciate are the flush-mounted touchscreen and climate control with dot-matrix displays inside the dials.
The lighting theme can be changed to any color that suits owners, as can the digital instrument cluster, which is available in four layouts, from minimalist to sporty. Annoyingly, changing both requires in-depth knowledge of multiple settings screens.
How practical is the interior space? 8/10
Kadjar has brilliant dimensions if you consider it a small SUV. It has legroom, amenities and trunk space that easily rival SUVs in the size category above.
Up front, there's surprisingly plenty of headroom despite the upright driving position, and that's not affected by the sunroof available on the top-end Intens.
The ease of use of the multimedia screen is at least a league above its Nissan sibling, with relatively decent software. The main downside here is the lack of a volume knob for quick on-the-fly adjustments.
Instead, you are forced to use the touchpad located on the side of the screen. Luckily, the climate control comes in a sensible layout with three dials and cool digital displays inside.
Ironically, there is no larger screen available in the higher grades, and no impressive portrait screen available in the larger Koleos.
As for front-seat amenities, there's a massive split-top center console, grooved doors, and a large climate-controlled storage compartment that also has two USB ports, an auxiliary port, and a 12-volt outlet.
Kadjar has brilliant dimensions if you consider it an SUV. Despite being a small SUV, the Kadjar has legroom and amenities that rival midsize SUVs.
There are four bottle holders, two in the center console and two in the doors, but they are small in typical French style. Expect to be able to store containers of 300ml or less.
The back seat is almost the star of the show. The seat trim is fantastic in at least the top two classes we were able to test, and I had plenty of knee room behind my driving position.
Headroom is fantastic, as is the presence of rear vents, two more USB ports, and a 12-volt outlet. There's even a leather-trimmed fold-down armrest with two bottle holders, bottle holders in the doors, and rubber elbow pads.
Then there is the boot. The Kadjar offers 408 liters (VDA), which is slightly less than the Qashqai (430 litres), much less than the Skoda Karoq (479 litres), but more than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (371 litres), and roughly on par with the Peugeot 2008 (410 l). ).
Kadjar offers 408 liters (VDA) of luggage space.
It's still on par and even bigger than some of the true mid-sized contenders, so it's a big win.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
The Kadjar is only available with one engine and transmission for the entire range in Australia.
It is a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a competitive power output (117kW/260Nm).
This engine was developed alongside Daimler (which is why it appears in the Benz A- and B-class ranges), but has a bit more power in the Renault configuration.
The 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine develops 117 kW/260 Nm.
The only transmission available is a seven-speed dual-clutch EDC. It has the familiar dual-clutch niggles at low speeds, but shifts smoothly when you're on the road.
Qajars shipped to Australia have only petrol front-wheel drive. Manual, diesel and all-wheel drive are available in Europe, but Renault says it would be too niche a product to offer in Australia.
How much fuel does it consume? 8/10
Using a dual-clutch car and stop-start system, Renault reports a claimed combined fuel consumption of 6.3L/100km for all Kadjar variants available in Australia.
Because our driving cycles didn't reflect everyday driving in the real world, we won't be providing real numbers this time around. Keep an eye on our latest week of road testing to see how we get on with it.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
The Kadjar is entering a market where active safety is a big deal, so it's a shame to see it come without radar-based high-speed active safety in either option.
Auto City Speed Emergency Braking (AEB) is present, and the higher-spec Zen and Intens get blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning (LDW), which creates a strange rumbling sound effect when you leave your lane.
Active cruise control, pedestrian and cyclist detection, driver warning, traffic sign recognition are missing from the Kadjar lineup.
The expected safety is provided by six airbags, a stabilization system, traction control and brakes, as well as a hill start assist system.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
5 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
Renault is launching the Kadjar along with an updated "555" ownership scheme with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, five years of roadside assistance and five years of price-limited service.
This allowed Renault to compete seriously even with the main Japanese competitors.
Kia's Seltos lead the way in this size category with a seven-year/unlimited mileage promise.
Service charges for the Kadjar line are $399 for the first three services, $789 for the fourth (due to replacement spark plugs and other major items), and then $399 for the fourth.
It's certainly not the cheapest maintenance plan we've ever seen, but it's better than the previous four-year maintenance plan. All Qajars require service every 12 months or 30,000 km, whichever comes first.
Kadjar has a timing chain and is made in Spain.
What is it like to drive? 7/10
With more interesting mechanics, Kadjar has a completely unique experience of driving a small SUV.
The fit is generally very good. You sit high in this Renault, but it provides excellent visibility, at least to the front and side.
Around the rear, it's a slightly different story, where the design is shortened a little at the trunk window and made for short C-pillars that create little dead spots.
We were only able to try the mid-spec Zen and the top-end Intens, and it was honestly hard to choose between the two when it came to riding. Despite the massive Intens wheels, road noise in the cabin was very low.
The engine is a peppy little unit from the start, with maximum torque available as early as 1750 rpm.
The ride was soft and comfortable, even more so than the Qashqai, with Kadjar flex springs.
The steering is interesting. It's somehow even lighter than the already light steering that appears in the Qashqai. This is good at first as it makes the Kadjar very easy to navigate and park at lower speeds, but this lightness results in a lack of sensitivity at higher speeds.
He simply feels excessive (electrical) assistance. Very little feedback gets into your hands and it makes cornering confidence much more difficult.
Handling is not bad, but the steering and naturally high center of gravity interfere a bit.
The ride was soft and comfortable.
The engine is a peppy little unit from the start, with maximum torque available as early as 1750 rpm. There's only a slight turbo lag and transmission pickup under acceleration, but the whole package is surprisingly responsive.
While the transmission seems smarter at speed, shifting gear ratios quickly, the engine's limitations become apparent during highway maneuvers or twisty trails at higher speeds. After that initial peak spike, there simply isn't much power.
One criticism that you cannot direct to Kadjar is that it is inconvenient. The refinement in the cabin remains excellent at speed, and with light steering there are a few features that will get on your nerves even on long journeys.
Verdict
The Kadjar is an interesting contender in the off-road world, with perfect dimensions and plenty of European styling, cabin ambiance and an impressive infotainment system to make up for its slight price jump over some of the competition.
It certainly prioritizes comfort and refinement over sporty or fun riding, but we think it will also prove to be a capable city coat for those who spend most of their time in the capital.
Our choice is Zen. It offers extra security and the most important technical features at a great price.
The Intens has the most bling but a big jump in price, while the Life lacks those extra safety features and smart specs.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, providing transportation and meals.
