On The Road
On the move, there is a sense of purpose in the way the Kangoo goes about its business. It is not overly dynamic, but it does what is required of it without a fuss, allowing unruffled progress.
This is in part thanks to the engine’s torque delivery, which builds up strongly from low-down – making it particularly useful in the urban environment where constant gear changing can be a bore.
It is also a smooth unit, remaining in the background even when taken to the red-line. This is mated to a five-speed manual box that may not be as precise in its operation as some but is well suited to the engine’s easy nature, moving between gates without the need for elbow grease.
This relaxed character is carried over into the chassis, which is surprisingly compliant over bumps and undulations – avoiding any nervousness that can affect some light vans. It also behaves neutrally in corners, with a reassuring amount of grip even when fully loaded, remaining flat and controllable.
This ability is ably matched to precise steering, which has a decent degree of weighting as well as giving plenty of feedback on what the front wheels are up to.’ However, having plenty of cargo on board can also dull the Kangoo’s responsiveness to a noticeable degree – something that is less apparent with the heavier contingent in the class.
The Kangoo could also do with a more progressive brake pedal, as the current one lacks that reassuring element of immediate bite.
Cab Comfort
The most striking thing on entering the Kangoo is its uncomplicated interior design. There are no gimmicks or features that grab the attention but the simplicity instantly puts you at ease.
Controls are where they should be, with all major switch gear accessible and easy to identify.
The light colour scheme employed also makes the Kangoo feel roomier than it actually is – a definite positive as cabin space is limited. For the taller person the rearward seat travel is noticeable, while the lack of adjustable steering wheel further hinders the driving position.
However this is offset in part by a comfortable seat that works well over long journeys. There is also a decent amount of practical storage, with door bins and can holders as well as an overhead parcel shelf and under-seat storage drawer.
Unfortunately the door mirrors do not offer much in the way of rear vision. Their slim profile and extended blind spot feature only to help blur the image as one mirror type blends into another.
There is also a sharp increase in noise intrusion from the load area when travelling at speed, which can take the shine off what is generally a well insulated cabin.
