Renault Kangoo E-Tech review: Just right for the city?

With the Renault Kangoo Renault has a high-roof station wagon for the family in its range, but is it also fully electric? Renault already brought a Kangoo ZE onto the market a few years ago, and now the latest generation is following suit, albeit with known weaknesses. We have tested it for you in everyday use.

As with the Renault Megane E-Tech, the famous Renault now follows Kangoo as a fully electric version. But not, as one might think, with the technology from the new one Megane. They rely on the tried and tested Renault ZOE E-Tech technology from the last model before production was discontinued.

tl;dr: Maybe it was good enough 3 years ago

The Renault Kangoo offers a surprising number of storage options and a lot of storage space with a trunk volume of 542 liters. It is powered by a 90 kW electric motor on the front axle, which in old currency corresponds to 122 hp. The price of the Renault Kangoo E-Tech starts at 39.300 euros (including 19% VAT). For this you get, among other things, “only” charging with 11 kW AC and full LED headlights with cornering light function.

Picture: TechnikNews

Our test car was priced at around 48.900 euros (including 19% VAT), which at first glance is really a steep price. But for families who need the space of a high-roof station wagon to transport a stroller, for example, it could currently be the only electric option despite the short range and high price.

Driving behavior: High-sitting, agile

This is roughly how you could describe the Renault Kangoo E-Tech. When driving, you notice the good clarity that a high-roof station wagon brings with it. Furthermore, despite its boxy shape, it can be easily maneuvered through curves and has enough power to make progress in everyday life.

With 90 kW or 122 hp on the front axle, the high-roof station wagon goes from 12,6 to 0 km/h in 100 seconds. The top speed is 132 km/h. This is just enough to overtake a truck on the highway.

Nevertheless, it is less designed for the highway or long distances, more as a “taxi for the children” within the city. The biggest disadvantage is that, as mentioned at the beginning, the old technology from the ZOE was reused, which was actually not designed for a panel van. On the whole, of course, this doesn't apply to the drive, which is definitely sufficient for most routes. It's more about the range in combination with the relatively small battery.

Battery and range: More for the city

The 45 kWh battery is located below the trunk. Yes, you heard right, the size of the battery is not exactly what you might expect for this vehicle class and for the price.

In the best case scenario, you can travel a good 240 km in summer without the motorway and at country road speeds. We were shown an average consumption of 17 to 18 kWh per 100 km. On the highway, a charging stop every 150 km would probably be necessary, which may even be necessary for families if there are small children on board who don't want to sit for long periods of time.

Loading: Could be better

We can charge with a full 80 kW DC and 11 kW AC. For the city there is even an option to charge with 22 kW AC for an additional charge. This means that the small battery can be fully charged again in just over 2,5 hours. Maybe this is even a better option than charging with 80 kW DC. But you have to weigh this up based on the availability of the charging stations.

With a remaining charge of 10 percent, we immediately reached the 80 kW DC charging power. From 30 percent, however, it dropped to 69 kW. It maintained this at least until around 84 percent. After that, you can no longer really call the fast charging "fast". Because then it continues at 30 kW to 13 kW up to 99 percent.

Interior and infotainment

The interior is really easy to get along with. However, it seems a bit “dated” when it comes to infotainment. As standard, this is around 6 inches tall (around 15 cm diagonally). And with an “upgrade” it grows to 8 inches (around 20 cm) diagonally.

Nevertheless, it runs relatively smoothly, even though the resolution is quite low. Android Auto is supported via cable and Apple CarPlay is even wireless. An onboard navigation system is also included, but it's not really usable. It is getting a bit old and no longer offers the latest data. It's better to use CarPlay or Android Auto with Google Maps.

In general, we would have preferred an Android automotive system with a larger display in the Kangoo E-Tech, similar to what was installed in the new Mégane. You can also forget about charging planning with the navigation system, as the system can display a range circle and also find charging stations, but this works in a relatively rudimentary manner.

Lots of space and lots of storage options

When it comes to storage options, the Renault Kangoo E-Tech really scores in all categories. Huge trunk, glove compartment drawer and much more.

There is certainly room for a lot of things. Even a compartment above the dashboard near the steering wheel can be filled with things. As is typical for a van, the entire dashboard can also be used as a shelf, so there is actually nothing to complain about when it comes to storage space.

Rear legroom is rather mediocre

You can tell that the back row of seats was designed more for smaller people or children. Because there isn't much space in the back. At the front, however, there is enough space and you don't feel particularly cramped.

Recommended?

To a certain extent, the Renault Kangoo E-Tech can only be recommended in its current form to families who live in a city or in the country and who hardly or not at all want to travel long distances with the vehicle.

Because it feels most comfortable as a second car to drive the children to school or kindergarten or other activities. It's best to have several 22 kW charging spots in the area so that you can fill it up again in a relatively short time. Of course, a fast charger also works.

However, the biggest problem now arises: the price. EUR 50.000 Renault would like to have the most equipment for the top version (including 22 kW AC charging). This is simply too much for what is offered, although of course there is no other vehicle in this class with a purely electric drive and the technical data currently on the market.

Even the direct high-roof station wagon competition from France, i.e. the Peugeot e-Traveller and the Citroën e-Berlingo, performs worse in terms of range.

What we would wish for

For the next Renault Kangoo E-Tech, a purely electric platform would be good, as would higher charging power and perhaps more space for the rear seat. The infotainment from the current Mégane would also be desirable.

By the way, the “tank flap” also bothered us. This is located at the rear right, where you would also find it on a petrol engine. However, it is not there charging port. The flap was simply not removed! Instead, as is typical for Renault, the charging port is located under the logo on the front of the vehicle.