Renault Kangoo

Renault Kangoo

Company type	Vehicle model series
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1997
Headquarters	Maubeuge , France
Products	Vans (passenger and light commercial vehicles), electric variants (Kangoo Z.E.)

The Renault Kangoo represents a series of vans manufactured by Renault since 1997, now encompassing three distinct generations. It functions both as a passenger-oriented multi-purpose vehicle and as a light commercial vehicle. European production takes place at the MCA facility located in Maubeuge, France.

In Europe, the Kangoo has been rebranded by Nissan under various names: the Nissan Kubistar for the first generation, the Nissan NV250 for the second, and the Nissan Townstar for the third. Additionally, since September 2012, Mercedes-Benz has offered a rebadged version of the second-generation Kangoo under the name Mercedes-Benz Citan, which in its current iteration is also marketed as the Mercedes EQT and Mercedes T-Class.

By 2019, the electric model known as Renault Kangoo Z.E. had become Europe's top-selling all-electric light commercial vehicle, with worldwide sales reaching 48,821 units since its launch in 2011.

First Generation X76 (FC/KC; 1997)

The initial Kangoo generation debuted in October 1997 and underwent a facelift in March 2003 that refreshed its front-end design to align with Renault’s evolving brand image. This model was offered as either a 4- or 5-door van or as a leisure activity vehicle.

Manufacturing continued from 1997 until 2009 across Europe and extended until 2018 in Latin American markets. Assembly plants included locations in France (Maubeuge), Argentina (Santa Isabel), Morocco (Casablanca), and Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur).

Available powertrains consisted of petrol engines ranging from 1.2L to 1.6L and diesel options between 1.5L and 1.9L. A petrol plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant was also part of the lineup.

The Kangoo Express panel van was designed with removable rear windows and seats to provide greater cargo versatility. It was specifically adapted to assist users with mobility challenges, featuring wheelchair access modifications such as ramps and secure anchoring systems.

Options included four-wheel drive models alongside an extended-length version offering increased cargo volume. In Sweden, a pickup variant was marketed, while Malaysian versions assembled by Nissan incorporated third-row seating.

Starting in July 2003, Renault utilized the well-known Wallace and Gromit characters in UK advertising campaigns to promote this model.

Break'Up

Unveiled in August 2002, the Kangoo Break'Up was a four-wheel drive concept car that previewed the styling updates introduced with the 2003 facelift, featuring a pickup-style rear section. It was powered by a 1.6 L engine delivering .

Kangoo Trekka 4x4

Introduced in 2002, the Kangoo’s four-wheel drive variant was marketed under the name Trekka. This should not be confused with New Zealand’s Skoda-powered utility vehicle bearing the same name.

The Trekka’s all-wheel drive system utilized an automatic torque coupling (ATC) sourced from Nissan, which engaged power to the rear wheels only when front wheel slip was detected, enhancing fuel economy. An electronically managed ASR traction control system further regulated wheel slip by applying braking force to the front wheels.

Suspension improvements included extended front struts equipped with updated coil springs and cast steel lower arms. At the rear, the conventional torsion beam setup was replaced by a fully independent coil spring suspension featuring wishbones and a centrally located differential powering two rear shafts. A subframe raised ground clearance and allowed for greater wheel articulation.

These modifications enabled a water fording depth of and hill-climbing ability up to 28 degrees. The UK market received two engine choices: a 1.6 L 16-valve petrol unit and a 1.9 L dCi common rail turbodiesel, both paired with five-speed manual transmissions.

In 2005, pricing stood at £12,600 for the petrol version and £13,600 for diesel models. The diesel engine produced of torque while delivering over combined fuel efficiency. The petrol variant accelerated from in 14.3 seconds with a combined consumption rating of .

Inside, the Trekka featured a straightforward interior with a rear bench seat that folded forward to create an expanded cargo area accessible through sliding side doors.

Argentina

In Argentina, production of the first-generation Kangoo spanned from 1998 until 2018. Manufacturing of the panel van variant commenced in 1998, followed by the passenger version in 2001. The model underwent a facelift in 2008, and later, in 2013, an exclusive update known internally as VLL ("Very Long Life") was introduced, featuring refreshed styling consistent with Renault’s design ethos. After producing a total of 374,591 units, manufacturing concluded in 2018. The Kangoo was succeeded by a new model derived from the Dacia Dokker. This vehicle served not only the Argentine market but also several other Latin American countries such as Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Cuba.

Engines

The Kangoo and Kangoo Express were equipped with a variety of engine options:

Engine	Output	Fuel Type	Production Years
1.0 L D Series petrol	44 kW (59 hp) (8-valve) / 51 kW (68 hp) (16-valve)
1.2 L D Series petrol	45 kW (60 hp) (8-valve) / 56 kW (75 hp) (16-valve)
1.4 L 8-valve Energy petrol	56 kW (75 hp)		1997–2003
1.6 L 16-valve K Series petrol	71 kW (95 hp)
1.5 L dCi turbo-diesel	57–88 hp (43–66 kW)		2002–2009
1.9 L F Series D diesel	55–65 hp (41–48 kW)	naturally aspirated, indirect injection	1997–2003
1.9 L F Series dTi turbodiesel	80 hp (60 kW)	direct injection	1997–2003

Special editions included battery electric and plug-in hybrid variants introduced in 2003. Additionally, certain petrol engines were adapted to run on LPG and CNG fuels.

Nissan Kubistar

From 2003 to 2009, a rebadged version of the Kangoo panel van was marketed under the name Nissan Kubistar throughout various European countries, identified by Nissan’s "X76" model code.

Electric

The Cleanova II system is a hybrid electric drivetrain implemented in a vehicle based on the Renault Kangoo platform, available in two electric configurations: a full electric vehicle (FEV) and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Second generation X61 (FW/KW; 2007)

The second-generation Kangoo, built upon the Scénic chassis and assembled in Maubeuge, was launched in May 2007. A seven-seat variant with an extended length of an additional 40 cm was released in July 2012.

Mercedes-Benz introduced a rebadged counterpart known as the Mercedes-Benz Citan in September 2012, featuring a redesigned front fascia. Renault ceased sales of the Kangoo MPV along with several other models in the UK market as of February 2012.

An updated version of both van and passenger models arrived early in 2013, aiming to enhance attractiveness for commercial clientele.

In November 2018, Nissan revealed plans to rebrand the Kangoo as the NV250, which debuted in December 2019 and is primarily marketed within the United Kingdom.

Body styles

The Kangoo is available in three wheelbase variants: the standard Kangoo Express, the shorter Kangoo Compact, and the extended Kangoo Express Maxi—each offering passenger versions as well. Between 2009 and 2012, the short wheelbase model was sold under the name Kangoo Be Bop.

Payload capacities vary from to for both the Kangoo Express and Express Maxi models depending on configuration and market region. The compact version carries a lower payload capacity of . The Express Maxi provides up to of usable floor length for cargo.

Kangoo Be Bop

After the 2007 unveiling of the Renault Kangoo Compact Concept, the Renault Kangoo Be Bop was introduced at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. This three-door variant, measuring , showcased a sliding rear glass roof, seating for four, and a dual-tone exterior. Despite its unique styling, it was considered costly and lacked practicality, resulting in limited commercial success with just 1,400 units manufactured between 2009 and 2011.

Grand Kangoo

Since July 2012, a seven-passenger model known as the Grand Kangoo has been available.

Engines

Model	Type	cylinder capacity cm3	Max. power kW (hp) / rpm.	Torque Nm / rpm.	0–100 km/h sec.	Year
Petrol
1.2	H5Ft	1197	84 (112) / 4500	190 / 2000		2016–
1.6	K4M	1598	78 (105) / 5750	148 / 3750		2007–16
Diesel
1.5	K9K	1461	81 (109) / 4000	240 / 1750		2007–

Kangoo Z.E.

Development

The Kangoo Z.E. was developed under Renault's Z.E. electric vehicle program and is assembled in Maubeuge. Its prototype was revealed at the International Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover in September 2010, with market availability beginning in October 2011. The model earned the title of International Van of the Year in 2012 and was honored as Electric Vehicle of the Year by GreenFleet for both 2012 and 2013.

The next-generation Kangoo E-Tech electric, built on the Renault–Nissan CMF-C/D platform, debuted in Mexico in October 2020 and launched globally in 2021.

Market Performance

By December 2012, French registrations of the Kangoo Z.E. reached 3,652 units, with annual sales peaking at 2,869 that same year, making it the leading plug-in electric vehicle within its category in France. Across Europe, cumulative sales exceeded 6,600 units by the end of 2012, while worldwide figures surpassed 10,000 by September 2013—representing roughly one-tenth of all Kangoo van sales.

The Kangoo Z.E. holds the position as Europe's top-selling fully electric light commercial vehicle and is France’s most popular electric vehicle overall, with registrations surpassing 9,125 by mid-2014. It underwent an update in 2017 and had amassed nearly 49,000 global sales by December 2019.

Technical Specifications

The Kangoo Z.E. retains identical dimensions to its combustion engine counterpart and is powered by a synchronous electric motor producing peak output and torque figures electronically capped to a maximum speed of . Energy storage is provided by a lithium-ion battery rated at 22 kWh, delivering an NEDC range; charging is restricted to AC input at a rate of 3.7 kW.

In its refreshed form introduced in 2017 as the Kangoo Z.E. Power+, the vehicle features Renault’s R60 motor with maintained power output, an enlarged battery capacity of 33 kWh offering an extended NEDC range, charging power doubled to a maximum of 7 kW AC, and incorporates a heat pump system to optimize cabin heating efficiency.

Third generation XFK (FFK/KFK; 2020)

The third-generation Kangoo was introduced on 12 November 2020, simultaneously with the more basic Renault Express. Constructed on the brand-new CMF-CD architecture jointly developed by Renault and Nissan, its manufacturing commenced in late 2020 at the ElectriCity facility in Maubeuge, with commercial availability beginning in early 2021.

A counterpart model, the Nissan Townstar, debuted in September 2021, taking over from Nissan’s NV200 and NV250 models in multiple regions. The electric variant, Townstar EV, which shares its foundation with the Kangoo E-Tech Electric, replaced the Nissan e-NV200 within the European market.

In 2024, the Kangoo underwent a slight refresh that included the adoption of Renault's updated logo design.

Powertrains

Powertrains

Model	Engine	Displacement	Valvetrain	Fuel delivery	Peak power at rpm	Peak torque at rpm	Transmission	Production years	Fuel efficiency	Template:Chem
Gasoline engines
TCe 100	Nissan H5Ht	1,333 cc	DOHC 16 valves	Direct fuel injection	100 hp (75 kW; 100 PS) @ 4,500 rpm	200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) @ 1,500 rpm	6-speed manual	2021–present	41.5 mpg‑imp (6.81 L/100 km)	155 g/mi (96 g/km)
Diesel engines
Blue dCi 95	Renault K9K	1,461 cc	SOHC 8 valves	Common rail direct injection	95 hp (71 kW; 96 PS) @ 3,750 rpm	260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) @ 1,750 rpm	6-speed manual	2021–present	53.3 mpg‑imp (5.30 L/100 km)	139 g/mi (86 g/km)
Blue dCi 115 EDC	Renault K9K	1,461 cc	SOHC 8 valves	Common rail direct injection	115 hp (86 kW; 117 PS) @ 3,750 rpm	270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft) @ 1,750 rpm	7-speed automatic	2021–present	50.4 mpg‑imp (5.60 L/100 km)	147 g/mi (91 g/km)

Model	Charging capacity	Battery capacity	Driving range	Electric motor	Peak power at rpm	Peak torque at rpm	Transmission	Years available	Energy consumption	Template:Chem

! colspan="11" style="background:#fdd;" |Electric |} ! style="background:#fdd;" |E-Tech |

• 22 kW (AC)
• 80 kW (DC)

| Li-ion battery, 44 kWh (net)|| (WLTP)||synchronous motor with coiled rotor|| Normal/Eco mode||||Single-speed reduction gear | 2021–present | – || |

Vehicle Dimensions

rowspan=4 colspan=4 Height / Length	L1		L2
Exterior
Wheelbase
Interior length		{{cvt{2230 mm}}
H1	Exterior height	Interior height	Cargo volume	colspan=2 rowspan=2 | {{cvt{3.3 m3}}	{{cvt{4.2 m3}}
	{{cvt{1864 mm}}	{{cvt{1215 mm}}

Notes

• The interior width measures {{cvt{1570 mm}} across all variants and {{cvt{1248 mm}} between the wheel arches.

Kangoo E-Tech Electric

The third-generation Renault Kangoo was initially revealed through the Kangoo Z.E. concept in April 2019, showcasing approximately 80% of the final production design. This electric model incorporates a pillarless front edge on the sliding side door to enhance entry and exit, a feature reminiscent of the Renault Frendzy concept. In March 2021, a prototype of the production-ready electric version, now called the Kangoo Van E-Tech Electric, was unveiled, with its official launch occurring in November 2021. This model succeeded the previous Kangoo Z.E., which was based on the second generation and had been manufactured since 2011. Production commenced in 2022.

The fully electric panel van began manufacturing in June 2022 and is offered in two different lengths, providing cargo capacities of or . The passenger variant was introduced later in October 2022 during the 2022 Paris Motor Show.

Equipped with a 90 kW electric motor generating 245 Nm of torque, the Kangoo E-Tech is powered by a 45 kWh battery pack that delivers an estimated WLTP driving range of . It can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 11.6 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 135 km/h. An Eco mode is available that restricts power output to 56 kW and limits top speed to 110 km/h. The standard onboard charger supports charging at up to 11 kW (AC), with optional upgrades allowing faster charging at either 22 kW (AC) or 80 kW (DC).

Euro NCAP

In its standard European specification, the Townstar achieved a four-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in 2021, based on test results obtained from the Kangoo.

Nissan NV250

Year	Nissan NV250 Units Produced
2019	3,561
2020	2,282
2021	4,475

Third-generation model

Year	Renault Units	Mercedes Units	Nissan Units
2021	90,241	?	?
2022	58,028	16,004	?
2023	109,760	25,753	11,626

External links

• Official Renault Kangoo page