Kadjar Renault 1.6 dCi / 130 4×4 X Mod, strategist

Be direct family Nissan Qashqai means alone enter with advantage in the battlefield. Then, it is Renault who refines strategy to make the Kadjar one of the most complete squad soldiers.

Test: Renault Kadjar 1.6 dCi / 130 4x4 X Mod

Test: Renault Kadjar 1.6 dCi / 130 4x4 X Mod

Test: Renault Kadjar 1.6 dCi / 130 4x4 X Mod

Test: Renault Kadjar 1.6 dCi / 130 4x4 X Mod

It could test the Renault resumirte Kadjar telling you one more, but is not entirely true. Integrated at this point in the game supposed play with an ace in the sleeve. And be no longer partner of honor, but blood brother undisputed leader in the category, Nissan Qashqai, is like having marked cards. From that perspective, Renault is to not deal a blow to competition, but to make their way through strategies: where to find a crack, the Kadjar displays subtle tactics of combat in all possible lines of attack, starting with throwing a missile called price to destabilize category.

Nobody gives more for less. As simple as that. Obligatory reference to the Qashqai, the undisputed leader and model with which the Kadjar shares no less than 60 percent of mechanical elements. It is clear that Renault has pulled give. Sign in for 27,200 euros to a Qashqai Visia finished with an infinitely less equipment, but even at its next higher level, with a cost 1,000 higher euros to Kadjar tested the Renault continues to offer more value in equipment and adds quite a few variables that divert even the scales in your favor. Among 4×4 versions, there are models that cost the same and are more powerful, as Kuga 2.0 TDCi / 150, but also less well equipped, with a clearly higher consumption and a real difference in performance which is not decisive. Tiguan or CR-V may be higher quality products although they are clearly Price, while the Korean Kia and Hyundai offensive With a newly launched Tucson-, Renault is also ably defended by improved price / product. Clearly, under the Kadjar, Mimbres … there are good and effective precision weapons.

1.6 dCi 130 hp for all

The same engine 1.6 dCi 130 hp from the Alliance Qashqai moves very well, does here even better supported by an Eco mode -desconectable- that can optimize consumption. 3 and 5/10 rebate records already efficient Qashqai in our city and highway routes, respectively, which means giving by conquered these domains. Buenos its 5-liter road are proportionally even better 6.2 l / 100 km has spent in the city, which puts him level with versions of two-wheel drive, and therefore less able to escape, including the 1.6 i-DTEC Honda on board the CR-V 4×2 achieves a consumption roadside stands slightly lower.

By the way, with 65 liter fuel tank -63 in 2WD- and nearly 1,200 km of autonomy, Kadjar is properly prepared for days of isolation … Or, failing that, for long-haul operations where the Kadjar is at the service of the troops to offer a comfortable atmosphere. Ergonomics front seats, typical seating comfort of the house and, as it could not be otherwise, maximum connectivity and valuable applications through intuitive R-Link second generation, It presented not as dramatically as in the Espace, but equally intuitive, comprehensive and easy to use. For less than 800 euros, navigator and radar warning included to keep the enemy controlled, I think it is very interesting.

And face to manage resources, based on the Qashqai Renault only ample length but it retains still very compact proportions, but improving transport capacity. Much is has been gained in the transformation of Qashqai to Kadjar nor Renault has used in providing this new SUV most specialization in the MPV field by rear seats with longitudinal adjustment, as do have Cherokee or Tiguan, e.g. , but the key is to balance everything keeps: Body design with straight extension of the roof until after the rear access, width and height of legs more than enough, tunnel not too prominent transmission and a more than considerable volume of trunk in which, in part, they end the 11 cm extra body relative to Qashqai, arriving to 475 liters. They are not referenced but are not few. Double floor with two covers, Easy Break system to easily recline the seatbacks by shooters from the trunk or the possibility of also lead to horizontal right front seat back, give the Kadjar of high versatility. Here again, rather than a landslide, an advantageous position.

Back to the engine and already commented efficiency, performance touch pass but not before stopping at an aspect that partly explains the good game that Renault-or Qashqai- take it. And is that, versus "shielded" Kuga kg- 1710, 1669 Sportage Tiguan kg- or 1707 kg-, by staying only here between SUV with equal traction system, the 1,598 kg of Kadjar represent a relief for mechanics. In fact, I do not feel brilliant acceleration capability nor overcome midrange, a big push, but Kadjar time will come to move accelerations rate Kia Sportage CRDi 2.0 / 136 4×4 Jeep Cherokee 2.0 Multijet / 140 4×4, for example, and recoveries, even more agility they. Again, a strategy based on balance that extends Kadjar comfort thanks to good overall feel of the familiar mechanics that, yes, here it seems to have more effect turbo than normal. And of course, also the chassis.

Behavior

Nor do I feel the most agile Kadjar reactions than other heavier SUV Kuga, with the reference- as good or as much as the Qashqai, but with a magnificent balance between comfort / effectiveness impose a heightened sense of road safety and great capacity to adapt to the off-road for good filtering the suspension. The body roll is not only restrained, but also progressive as if their springs hide features variable flexibility, and although management has, for me, a not very comfortable central point with some resistance, it lacks precision and poise curve at high speed. Only 16 cm separating him from the ground, not too many to take the field as a Panzer nor the effectiveness and discontinued Koleos, but Kadjar meets the minimum requirements in a logical use field where all their specialized traction modes 4×2, 4×4 and 4×4 Lock depends, like all SUVs, the characteristics of the tire and the skill of the driver.

In a nutshell

Acceleration: Absolute synchronicity between clutch, transmission and engine to achieve a progressive and smoothly acceleration. Improvement in a second motor to Qashqai identical.

Change: tighter and shorter than normal staggering allow you to get most out of the engine. Something cottony touch lever, but beautiful.

Frenada. Obligatory reference to his brother Qashqai, with identical brake system with wheels Dunlop SportMax But in 19"- he has been detained in a good 73 m.

consumptions. Among the good, the better. Their numbers low road, the city is proportionally better. Only a 4×2 SUV less powerful achieves something better records.

Overtaking. Maximum engine cut out in this exercise requires a firm overcome some resistance in the last third of accelerator travel. His times are even better than good SUV with more powerful engines.

Habitability and weight. 1,600 kilos down versions 4×4 is not available to many and SUVs except Qashqai, none their quality and equipment. No missing centimeters but, as always, the fifth passenger comfort depend on who travel on both sides.

Power and torque. A second slower than the official acceleration performance session still taking advantage of the cool morning, is no reason to believe that the 1.6 dCi him some horses missing. Yes, here I notice it less elastic than normal.

Sonority. Effect engine running at full throttle and clouding an environment where the general welfare is the dominant note, including good quality buffer.