New Renault Kadjar – a crossover that invites you for a ride…
The fashion for urban crossovers seems to be endless. These cars are very common on our roads and we got used to them. The refreshed Renault Kadjar, however, has something that stands out from the crowd. And by the way it tempts with details that make it the perfect car for the family.
I had a strange feeling when I first took a seat behind the steering wheel of the new Renault Kadjar. From the outside, this car looks massive, but its dimensions (4.5 meters in length), make themselves felt only while driving. The bonnet is shaped in such a way that it feels like driving a large roadster. This is not a complaint, but I pay attention to an important detail that you may also feel while driving this car.
Kadjar was first introduced in 2015 and has undergone a number of changes since then. The latest version features LED lights, a redesigned radiator grille, massive bumpers and 19-inch light-alloy wheels. These details are eye-catching and make it far from boring. Our test copy was in red – in my opinion the most beautiful of the entire range offered by Renault.
I only found one flaw from the outside. It’s about the quality of door handles, which could be just a little bit better. I think that with normal use their life is rather going to end soon. After a week of driving, I came to a conclusion that it is better to handle them with care.
Let’s get inside and I will start again with … door handles. This time, however, it will be a positive remark, because those inside are much more massive and look much better. In addition, the interior struck with simplicity.
The central panel is fitted with a 7-inch touch screen. The screen remains readable even on a sunny day. The R-LINK 2 multimedia system allows you to use the most important functions fairly quickly.
Noteworthy is also the multifunctional steering wheel, under which you can find a switch known from other Renault models to control, among others radio. The clocks in front of the driver are legible and do not hurt the eyes with a recombined graphics system.
My surprise was caused by the lack of a classic volume control knob. The sound can be controlled using the touch icon on the display or the button on the steering wheel. This is a small detail, but sometimes it took its toll. In addition, there was an adjustable armrest, USB socket and air conditioning with front and rear vents.
Agile and maneuverable – these two characteristics are apparently hidden in the name Kadjar, and it must be admitted that they accurately describe the capabilities of the car. Our test car had a 1332 cm3 petrol engine with 140 HP under the hood. Maximum torque: 240 Nm. All this combined with the 7-speed dual-clutch EDC automatic transmission allows you to accelerate to 100 miles per hour in less than 10 seconds.
Facelift Kadjar is, in my opinion, primarily a car designed for a family. It is roomy, low on mpg, and allows you to travel comfortably for many miles. Works great when driving children to school, as well as during holidays, for a long trip. It’s a compact crossover that won’t ruin your wallet at petrol stations and will make everyday life a bit easier on crowded streets.
