Allow the pun in the headline to give you the first definition of the Renault Kangoo E-Tech that we have just tested in Diariomotor: a van with a spacious interior, many holes, a remarkable trunk… and no limit to driving because it is electric. In 2022, Renault electrified the van body and now it is the turn of the passenger variant: This is the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, a van (with German and French DNA) perfect for those who need an SUV, but do not want an SUV.
This test is divided into three parts: the pertinent presentation, the practical part and the six reasons why we believe that the Renault Kangoo E-Tech is the perfect anti-SUV. Let’s start at the beginning: the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, which shares DNA with the Mercedes EQT, sports (almost) the same design as the standard combustion model. The differences lie in the specific elements of an electric car such as the charging port that is hidden behind the front emblem of the brand, the name itself or the distribution of the interior.
Renault Kangoo E-Tech: the presentation
The Renault Kangoo E-Tech retains the medium size of the commercial version and this makes it the right vehicle for a very specific audience professionals, families and drivers with hobbies who need equipment of considerable dimensions.
Available in two finishes (Equilibre and Techno), both are equipped with the same electric motor (120 CV) and the same battery, that with 45 kWh of capacity promises an official autonomy of 285 kilometers: Depending on the brand, it can reach 430 in the urban cycle. That first range is five kilometers higher than that of the Citroën ë-Berlingo, its main rival: yes, the French van is 16 CV less powerful.
The battery, by the way, has an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty: in this time slot, he will be replaced for free if his ability degrades below 70% of his SoH. The driver can choose several charging systems: a three-phase 11 kW alternating current, a 22 kW AC fast charger and an 80 kW DC one. The last two are designed for professionals, since the 22 kW one allows you to go from 5 to 80% in 2 and a half hours and the 80 kW one allows you to recover 170 kilometers in about 30 minutes.
Renault Kangoo E-Tech: the practice
Renault has proposed a one-hour route that is eminently urban and runs through Madrid: the objective is none other than test both the behavior of the Renault Kangoo E-Tech and its consumption in the city.
Comfortable: this is the first feeling you get when you get into this electric van. You also realize that its technological level is not as up-to-date as that of other Renault models. We started and began touring Madrid: at a normal (and legal) speed it is quiet, a quality that it loses when you leave the city and begin to travel the ring roads at a more cheerful pace.
In this scenario, inertia makes an appearance, although the irregularities are well filtered: the suspensions are not dry and the brakes (which we will talk about now) work well. The engine never ceases to be smooth and If we had to choose an adjective to define it, it would be correct: It does not stand out for better or for worse because it simply meets what is expected of its 120 CV.
During the hour we spent on board the Renault Kangoo E-Tech we verified that there are two driving modes: Normal and Eco. With the second activated, consumption is reduced because both power and maximum speed are limited to 76 CV and 110 km/h. And speaking of consumption, this is where we identify a point for improvement: the official figure is 15.9 kWh/100 km, but it is easy to overcome the 20 kWh barrier reaching somewhat high figures… and that our unit was not loaded as a professional can.
Renault Kangoo E-Tech: 6 reasons to be the anti-SUV
We have already advanced some of the reasons why the Renault Kangoo E-Tech is the perfect anti-SUV: its habitability, its ergonomics, its load capacity and, also, its electrical condition. With the Zero label you not only have economic advantages in terms of taxes, you can also access the cities without any problem because the restrictions do not affect you. The practicality of the Renault Kangoo E-Tech is its great virtue.
1. Access
Access to the Renault Kangoo E-Tech stands out for its comfort and speed: the front doors open 90 degrees. The same thing happens in the back row: sliding doors travel 61.5 centimeters, giving rise to a generous space for passengers.
2. The seats
Let’s go by parts: in the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, the driving position stands out for its good visibility and, in addition, the interior has materials and adjustments typical of a car, such as brushed wood. The space with respect to the passenger seat is remarkable, as is the space that is free for the head.
It is in the back where we find more practical solutions: the location of the batteries under the seats hardly affects the available space and, furthermore, raise the back row (divided into three seats of equal size, suitable for adults and with Isofix) a couple of centimeters In addition, they can slide up to fourteen centimeters to save space in the trunk.
3. The braking
In the lever of the Renault Kangoo E-Tech we find function B (Brake, brake in Spanish): with it we access regenerative braking, which has three levels.
The first of them, B1 or Sailing, is perfect for driving on the dual carriageway and motorways. It is limited because in this scenario the brake is barely touched. The second, B2 or Drive, is intermediate, that is, the default regenerative mode for multipurpose use, which provides a sensation of deceleration similar to that of a vehicle with a thermal engine. And the third, B3 or Brake, is essential for driving in the city because it allows you to move using only the accelerator.
4. The trunk
The trunk of the Renault Kangoo E-Tech offers a load capacity of 850 liters with the tray: without it it is possible to earn something more. A figure that improves by 75 liters on that of the combustion Renault Kangoo and that allows, for example, to comfortably carry a bicycle, a surfboard or a children’s stroller without having to fold it. It can be expanded to 2,500 liters with the seats folded down (something that can be done totally or partially in 60:40), although it forms a somewhat uncomfortable step.
5. Additional capacity
The Renault Kangoo E-Tech offers 49 liters of extra capacity, distributed in the different compartments of the passenger compartment. The Easy Life sliding drawer that replaces the classic glove box or the enclosed space that the driver has behind the wheel are particularly striking. By the way, next to it there is a support for the mobile phone that can be changed to the side depending on the needs of each person.
6. The hidden roof rack
Another of the most practical solutions that the Renault Kangoo E-Tech incorporates is a hidden roof rack in plain sight. And it is that the longitudinal bars of your roof can also be transversal without having to use any tools: we only have to press a couple of buttons to have more cargo space.
When will the Renault Kangoo E-Tech arrive in Spain?
The order book for the Renault Kangoo E-Tech is already open in Spain and to get behind the wheel of this electric passenger van, Renault tells us that You have to wait between two and three months. It also has prices for our market:
- Renault Kangoo E-Tech Equilibre – 39,200 euros: This version is designed for professionals of all kinds (including those dedicated to transporting passengers) and for security forces. With the 22 kW charger, its price is 40,535 euros.
- Renault Kangoo E-Tech Techno – 41,700 euros: This variant is more oriented towards families, people with hobbies who need certain equipment, taxis and VTC. With the 22 kW charger it goes up to 43,076 euros.
