New Renault Kadjar release

Published Date: 3rd Feb 2015

Just last week we learned Renault is to name its brand new crossover the Kadjar, we have no idea what that means. We have been waiting for Renault to bring out this car for the last 5 years, so without any further ado, this is what a Kadjar looks like.

Renault's last mid-size crossover, the Koleos, disappeared from our shores after a short two years thanks to ineffective sales figures, the Kadjar launches at a time when the SUV market is booming. Nearly a 25 percent of the all cars sold in Europe are currently crossovers.

This means the Kadjar faces stiff competition even before its release. Renault thinks it'll hold its own in the design area, hinting that it boasts similarities to the Dezir concept supercar, and using words such as ‘sporty' and ‘seductive' till their mouths go dry.

In actual fact, it looks like a Renault Captur crossed with a Nissan Qashqai, the car which the Kadjar will do battle with.

The Kadjar isn’t a bad looking car and it is boosted by the fitment of LED headlights, which are a dominant presence on the Kadjar's fizzog, alongside Renault's iconic diamond badge.

Having shared DNA with the Nissan Qashqai means similar hardware too, there will be a choice of two- or four-wheel drive, a hugely flexible boot and the likely choice of 1.2 and 1.6-litre turbo petrol engines and a 1.6-litre turbo diesel.

Just like the rest of the Renault range, the Kadjar gets a nice big shiny touchscreen, running an updated version of the company's iPhone-like R-Link system.

The Nissan Qashqai is built in high numbers in the UK; the Kadjar will be built and shipped from Spain, with Chinese production to follow. That makes it the first Renault to be built in China, as the company aims for a 3.5 per cent share of that hugely expanding car market.

The new Renault Kadjar will have its velvety cover pulled away at the 2015 Geneva motor show in a month's time, before UK sales kick off in autumn.