2019 New Renault Kadjar Review
Published Date: 3rd Feb 2019
The Kadjar is Renault’s mid-sized Crossover competing with vehicles like the popular Nissan Qashqai, the Honda HR-V, Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage and a plethora of rival vehicles with just about every manufacturer competing in this popular car segment with demand still growing.
The demand for Crossovers that deliver many of the features of a traditional SUV like higher driving position and rugged styling, combined with a traditional passenger car platform has been on the up for a number of years now.
The Renault Kadjar model line-up consists of the:
Renault Kadjar Exterior
The latest 2019 Kadar is exactly the same dimensions as the predeceasing model and while its looks may not blow you away, its by no means ugly. Tweaks to the latest model have definitely improved the overall exterior looks, including a stronger looking/wider front grille new front and rear bumpers plus new light cluster all enhance the look. All models get front fog lights with higher grade models getting LED fog lights.
A lot of the styling has already been adapted to the Kadjar’s little brother and smaller compact SUV/Crossover the Renault Captur.
The Kadjar’s design is aimed at having a wide family appeal, it can be best described at smart looking, and Renault are quickly heading towards half a million sales of the Kadjar worldwide since it first when on sale back in 2015, so they are doing something right.
Renault Kadjar Interior
The Kadjar is a tad larger in the cabin than rival and Britain’s best-selling Crossover, the Qashqai and there’s plenty of leg and head room in the front and rear plus 472 litres of space in the boot which is one of the best in class.
The latest model sees subtle upgrades and improvements that enhance build quality and overall functionality inside.
There’s a new touchscreen/infotainment system that fits snuggly and seamlessly into the newly designed dash with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on all models. Underneath the new and improved touchscreen are more modern looking controls for aircon/climate control and there are newly designed and improved air vents too. Further improvements include the option of Alcantara upholstery making a debut on the Kadjar range for the first time.
The new Kadjar looks neater, better organised and generally of better quality inside than its predecessor and of course there are some practical improvements like bigger storage areas inside the doors.
As you’d expect with a vehicle aimed at squarely at the family market, practical improvements are always going to be a consideration.
Renault Kadjar Engines
There are two petrol engines, the TCe 140 (140bhp) and TCe 160 (160bhp), the 140bhp petrol is expected to be the big seller, both petrol engines have the option of manual or automatic transmission. The more powerful TCe 160 isn’t available on the entry-level Play model.
The diesel offering is the Blue dCi 115 available with manual or automatic transmission. A diesel model with manual transmission can cost you around £2000 more that a TCe petrol model and we don’t think it’s worth it in most cases.
In terms of acceleration the more powerful petrol TCe160 is about half a second quicker then the TCe 140, taking you from 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds, but in reality, it’s hardly noticeable.
Our advice is, if most of your driving is around town, go for a cheaper TCe140 petrol model.
Coming soon on the GT Line models is a new dCi 150 engine with 2WD/4WD options. Operated by a simple dial, the options are 2WD (front-wheel drive), LOCK (continuous 4WD) or AUTO: 2WD or 4WD is automatically selected depending on the terrain/driving conditions. In test drives the 4WD or auto options performed extremely well and handled more demanding driving surfaces remarkably well.
Renault Kadjar Models
Like the engine choices, Renault have kept the model line-up a fairly simple affair stream-lining the model range from five to four models. The range consists of the entry-level Play, followed by the Iconic model, the S Edition and the GT Line.
Renault don’t skimp on equipment even on the entry-level Kadjar Play model which includes 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows, electric heated door mirrors, cruise control with speed limiter, rear parking sensor, tyre pressure monitoring, automatic climate control, 7-inch media system with DAB radio and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support.
The Kadjar Iconic model adds 19-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, front & rear parking sensors, a lane departure warning system, rear camera, handsfree keycard and sat nav.
Move up to the Kadjar S Edition trim-level and you add LED front fog lights and headlights, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and panoramic sunroof
The range-topping Kadjar GT Line model adds unique 19-inch ‘POSEIDON’ alloy wheels, dark carbon leather interior, handsfree parking system, active emergency braking system, blind spot warning system, 360 parking sensors, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats (only available with leather) and a premium Bose sound system with 9 speakers.
If you’re in the market for a mid-sized Crossover / compact SUV then the Renault Kadjar should be on your shortlist. Its smart looking, the TCe 140 petrol enough is a great little around-town engine and even on the entry-level Play model you’ll find surprisingly generous levels of tech and equipment.
You can compare prices and specs on the full range of new Renault Kadjar models here.