What’s the winning ingredient for the new Renault Kangoo?   

As the updated Renault Kangoo finds room in the back for yet another award, fending off competition from the Toyota Proace City, we wanted to find out how this city van seems to be winning so much praise. 

Continuing its form as “ the class leader” in the small van market, the updated all-rounder has secured an impressive eighth award in the space of a year. So, what makes the Kangoo range so special? 

Simply put, it’s a jack of all trades, so it’s hard to put a finger on any one ingredient. This versatility is no accident though, available with various levels of trim, across multiple wheelbases formats, all with the option of petrol, diesel, or a fully electric power — ticking a lot of boxes. 

Of course, there’s a crucial box to tick for any van: will all your equipment, tools, and other precious cargo can fit in the back? Amazingly, thanks to some smart storage solutions (nooks and crannies), the Kangoo has a loading capacity of up to 4.2m³. Even more impressive when compared to the current hot-ticket, the larger commercial VW ID Buzz Cargo which, like the much acclaimed  seven-seater ID Buzz, can only offer a maximum cargo hold capacity of 3.9m³. 

The Kangoo also holds its own as a daily driver. Whether it’s making house calls, heading from site to site, or just nipping to the shops — great driveability and low running costs have helped secure these vans’ numerous accolades, with the Continental tyres we’ve spotted them on helping them live up to the reputation of handling like a small car. 

Just like the previous version, the latest Kangoo has a large crossover with the Renault Clio’s interior. Previously this may not have been such exciting news, however as the current Clio has become an increasingly luxurious offering, this premium feeling has carried over into the small van range. Even more good news for anyone spending a lot of time in their van. 

As a true all-rounder, the improvements don’t stop there. A sigh of relief may be heard across the country following the latest edition’s facelift, ditching the slightly bug-like aesthetic from the earlier model, and replacing it with a sleeker look, in line with its big brother, the Renault Trafic. No need to park around the corner or shy away from those site and client visits! 

In this shiny new look, there are plastic front and rear bumpers integrated on all models (yes we are counting this as a positive – hear us out). Not only does this help with cost-efficient repair costs for any wear and tear, but considering that the previous Kangoo generation was on the market for 14 years, it looks like Renault are again building a vehicle to survive the long haul.  

All in all, it is hard to argue against this award-winning small van. By nailing the basics of versatility and practicality, whilst also taking inspiration from highlights across the Renault range, the Kangoo seems to be well on the road to further accolades.  

Hero image credit: Renault