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1. Optional screen and camera replace interior rear-view mirror
2. Shift lever lets you maximise regeneration
3. An 8.0in touchscreen dominates the dashboard
4. Driver’s seat and steering wheel are height-adjustable
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case – tells you how much charge is going into the battery, and how much range you have got left.
Another way of extending the gap between recharges is to press the ‘Eco’ button on the dashboard. You lose some performance by doing so, but you will experience surprisingly little impact if you are lightly laden, and the air- conditioning is not affected. Leave the button alone, and you will find on-highway performance is more than acceptable, with brisk acceleration and relaxed motorway cruising. Remember, though, that the harder you press the loud pedal, the faster the range will drop.
Manoeuvring at low speeds can be a little awkward at times, however, because the Kangoo E-Tech is not that biddable. You have to tickle it along. If you
are over-enthusiastic with your right foot then there is the risk that the van will suddenly shoot forwards; and spoil your entire day.
The Renault handles well but as with @whatvan August 2023 WhatVan? 29
most light commercials, the ride can be choppy when you are lightly-laden. The muted whirring of the electric motor means all the other potential sources of noise – the tyres smacking the road surface, for example – become more noticeable. Artificial noise is
The Final Verdict Design
Cabin Ride Refinement Load area Handling/performance Engine/transmission Standard equipment Operating costs
generated at low speeds to alert other highway users to the van’s presence.
Operating Service intervals are set at one year/12,000 miles for the first year, then every two years/24,000 miles thereafter.
Kangoo E-Tech is protected by a three-year/100,000-mile warranty, with the battery covered for eight years/100,000 miles. The anti-corrosion warranty runs for 12 years while the paintwork warranty lasts for three years. Charging times range from less than seven hours if you hook your van up to a wallbox, says Renault, to 42 minutes – which will get you to 80% of the battery’s capacity – with a 75kW DC rapid charger. You may be able to use the MyRenault app to schedule charging or switch on the air-conditioning or the cab heater remotely using your smartphone. Rather than a spare wheel, you get a tyre inflator/sealer that sits under the passenger seat. As with the plastic bulkhead, the aim presumably is to save weight.
There are no side rubbing strips to protect the body from minor scrapes; an unfortunate omission.
8/10 More evolution than revolution, with its attractively-styled exterior and stylish interior 7/10 Pleasant with some useful features, but why pretend it’s a three-seater when it isn’t? 7/10 Uneven when lightly-laden but gets smoother the more weight you load on board 7/10 7/10 9/10 8/10 Well put together, but wind and tyre noise are undoubtedly intrusive Decent level of access from three sides, but modest payload capacity. Both are well up to scratch, with little to criticise A much-improved package, with more horses and a longer range 6/10 Too many safety-related items are extra-cost options. Time for a rethink Renault. 8/10 What Van? subjective rating 8/10 Running expenses should be less than those of an equivalent diesel
Represents solid progress rather than a great leap forward Overall Rating 75/100
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