Review
It’s cool to be in our Renault Kangoo long-termer.
Not just because of its cheeky snub-nosed styling, or the comfort and quality it provides, but also because its air conditioning is keeping the cabin temperatures down.
While other van drivers without air conditioning have wilted in the soaring heat – including Fleet Van editor Trevor Gelken in his Ford Transit (Fleet Van, June) – I’ve been revelling in the chilled atmosphere provided by the Kangoo.
Our air conditioning unit is fitted as part of an optional £600 Air Con + pack, which also includes electric windows featuring driver’s one-touch descending function and electric/heated body-coloured door mirrors.
I’d say this investment is a worthwhile one – drivers will feel fresher and happier during and after journeys, and will definitely thank their fleet manager for it.
One piece of equipment missing from our Kangoo which is definitely worth considering is a rear-parking sensor system.
Rear visibility isn’t one of the Kangoo’s strong points, which sometimes makes reversing tricky, and sensors would help avoid any unnecessary parking bumps.
On the move, the issue of rear visibility rears its head again – there is no blind spot indicator on the door mirrors so pulling out of slip roads and overtaking requires the driver to crane his neck forward to check for any traffic behind – not a problem uncommon among vans.
Other than these minor points, the Kangoo has continued to impress with its practicality and road manners.
Andrew Ryan is the features editor at Fleet News. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and has specialised in the fleet industry for the past 12.
