On the back of the positive reception garnered by the Captur, Renault SA has taken the next step into the hotly contested local crossover market with the introduction of its bigger brother, the Kadjar.
Although it shares much of its mechanical underpinnings with the well-received Nissan Qashqai, aesthetically the Renault Kadjar is possessed of much that is good about the French company’s design direction of late, incorporating hints of Clio about its haunches and taillamp arrays and Mégane in the raked nose and swathe of grille apex running into the headlamps.
Among the highlights of the cabin are a brace of 7-inch TFT digital displays – one for instrumentation and the other overseeing a Bluetooth-enabled, touch-screen infotainment (including sat-nav for the Dynamique models) and 60:40 split-folding rear seatbacks with release catches on both the seats themselves and the rear luggage compartment.
Although largely entrenched in the crossover genre, Renault claims that such features as 200 mm of ground clearance and approach (18°) and departure (28/25°) angles lend the Kadjar a degree of off-road poise that should help prevent that elegant-looking body from being scrubbed on minor obstacles.
The Kadjar line-up will comprise three models; the range-topping Dynamique 4×4 features Renault’s 1,6 dCi turbodiesel tuned to produce 96 kW/320 N.m, and the 2WD Dynamique and entry-level Expression models, both powered by a 1,2-litre turbopetrol engine developing 96 kW/205 N.m.
The AWD halo model features Renault’s All Mode 4×4 system, which serves up three drivetrain management pre-sets: 2WD only, Auto to apportions drive fore and aft according to traction requirements, and a 50:50 fore/aft Lock setting for more demanding conditions.
Standard features on the entry-level Expression model include a safety suite (ABS/EBD/brake assist/stability control/Isofix/airbags), rake and reach steering column adjustment, tyre and rear parking sensors, air-conditioning, radio/CD/MP3/USB/aux-in audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, electric windows and cruise control.
Dynamique specification adds roof rails, 17-inch alloys, LED headlamps, Foglamps, sat-nav, auto lights and wipers, keyless entry & go, front and rear parking sensors, among others.
PRICING:
Renault Kadjar petrol Expression 96kW Turbo R 359 900
Renault Kadjar petrol Dynamique 96kW Turbo R 384 900
Renault Kadjar diesel Dynamique 96kW dCi 4×4 R 449 900
Pricing includes a 5-year/150 000 km mechanical warranty and a 5-year/90 000 km service plan with service intervals of 15 000 km.
