Renault Kadjar TCE 160
CAN YOU TELL the Renault Kadjar has been facelifted? If so, well done: you have earned your Renault spotter’s badge. The fundamental shape of the car might be unchanged, but the differences between the old and new versions of this handsome crossover are more extensive than they might appear at first sight. Inside, there are subtle but worthwhile updates, with improved storage and some higher-quality plastics. More important changes have taken place under the skin, with a new engine line-up promising better performance and lower emissions. Renault expects 70% of UK customers to choose petrol power. There are two turbocharged 1.3-litre engines, one offering 140PS (138bhp), the other 160PS (158bhp). For day-to-day driving, we’d be more than happy with the less powerful one, which nips along. It’s a little quieter, too. For towing, though, the 160 is probably worth the £800 price premium. It has 192lb ft of torque, which is 15lb ft more than the 140 – enough to be noticeable while pulling a caravan, we expect. You won’t tow anything too heavy behind a petrol Kadjar, though; not if you stick to the 85% guide when matching car and caravan. Although both models have a legal towing limit of 1500kg, the kerbweight for the manual is just 1408kg. That gives an 85% match of 1197kg, so vans such as the Bailey Phoenix 420 or Xplore 422 will be sensible matches. If you want to tow something heavier, consider one of the diesels, which are also new. The pick of the bunch should be the dci 150 4x4. This engine is only sold in topspec GT Line, from £27,995 for two-wheel drive and £29,995 for four-wheel drive. The dci 115 starts at £22,495. But while it’s more economical, with 55.360.1mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, it isn’t available with four-wheel drive. Whichever engine is chosen, the Kadjar isn’t as much fun to drive as a Mazda CX-5 or a Seat Ateca. But it rides comfortably and is reasonably quiet at motorway speed. The new Kadjar doesn’t set new standards, but the improvements keep the Renault at the sharp end of this competitive class.