By: Jason Woosey
Zaragoza, Spain - Are the current crop of compact SUVs just not French enough for you?
Something of a bigger brother to the recently launched Captur, the all-new and exotically named Renault Kadjar is going after C-segment SUVs such the Toyota Rav4, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai.
In fact, it's actually closely related to the latter through Renault's alliance with Nissan, sharing much of its beneath-the-skin content but sporting a completely different style inside and out. In fact, with its smoothly flowing lines and sculpted shoulders, the Kadjar is very much in tune with Renault's current design renaissance and it's sure to win the hearts of many potential buyers on that aspect alone.
The feel-good factor continues inside and although the design is more sober than flamboyant, it looks and feels the premium part and before you shout "all style no substance" I must add that it's rather usable too, offering generous rear legroom and a roomy 527 litre boot.
The Kadjar effectively replaces the not-all-that-memorable Koleos, but I say that with caution as the new entrant is a tad smaller and Renault is currently working on an even larger and more premium crossover to expand its presence at the upper end of the SUV game.
MODERN TURBO POWER
While the Kadjar is due in South Africa during the fourth quarter of this year, Renault has yet to confirm the exact engine line-up for our market, but does promise that the eventual range will offer a choice between petrol and diesel engines as well as six-speed manual and EDC dual-clutch automatic gearboxes.
The sole petrol option for now is Renault's 1.2-litre TCe turbopetrol with direct injection. Essentially an uprated version of the engine fitted to the Qashqai, the unit pushes 96kW and 205Nm.
Two turbodiesels are offered, the range kicking off with the 1.5 dCi that develops 81kW and 260Nm in six-speed manual guise, or 260Nm when paired with EDC. According to Renault, this miser sips just 3.8 litres per 100km. Top diesel dog is the 1.6-litre dCi 130, good for 96kW and 320Nm, with claimed combined consumption amounting to 4.3 l/100km.
This engine is also available with a permanent four-wheel drive system featuring three selectable operating modes, namely 2WD, 4WD and 4WD lock, but this 4x4 version is still under consideration for our market.
Even without it, the regular front-wheel drive Kadjars are still well kitted for rough dirt roads, with 200mm of ground clearance and an 'Extended Grip' traction control system designed for tricky terrain.
SMOOTH RIDE
After landing in Zaragoza, the international launch drive took us on a tarred route into the Navarra desert in a 1.2T petrol model, before putting us on some rough gravel roads in a 1.6 dCi with 4WD. The little petrol engine has a sophisticated feel and impresses with ample low-down torque, but it did feel a bit out of breath at higher speeds and so you'll need to play with the gears when overtaking is required. It's adequate enough for an entry-level engine but Renault might do well to consider fitting a bigger petrol unit.
Then again, you might just want to go for broke and opt for the 1.6 diesel, which offers effortless performance in every situation.
Also playing the all-rounder role is the suspension, which provides a comfortable ride even on rippled dirt surfaces. Like its rivals, though, the Kadjar is not a 'roughing it' kind of off-roader, but rather a sophisticated crossover aimed at urban folk who fancy the occasional getaway. To that end it's also suitably geeky in the technological department, offering gizmos such as Easy Park Assist with parallel, perpendicular and angular parking modes, and the Active Emergency Braking System that works between 30 and 140km/h.
Facing the driver is a fully digital TFT instrument screen with four different display options, including a traditional circular speedo, and infotainment is via Renault's second-generation R-Link 7-inch touch-screen with click-and-drag icons as well as scroll and zoom functions - just like a normal tablet. The system also offers TomTom navigation with 'Birdview' display and a full range of connected apps.
Pricing will only be confirmed closer to launch but if Renault SA can get this right as it did with the Captur then the Kadjar is sure to be a top contender in this class, given its style and all-round sophistication.