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2018 Renault Kadjar Signature dCi 130 6-Speed Manual Review

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With the keys to the 2018 Renault Kadjar, we try to discover if the brand gets the drive to compete in this heated segment.

What’s the 2018 Renault Kadjar Signature about?

In the event that you haven’t taken notice of recent motoring news, you may well be unaware that Renault and Nissan may merge soon. This Franco-Japanese partnership also contains Mitsubishi, making for a noteworthy combination.

The connection could be mutually beneficial if done right. These alliances result in shared know-how in chassis development and globally-viable platforms are ever more popular. THE NORMAL Module Family may be the brainchild of the Renault-Nissan partnership, and it’s designed for an eclectic selection of cars.

One model that utilises this platform may be the Nissan Qashqai. It’s a concise crossover that’s especially popular in Britain. Of course, Renault themselves recognize that there is something to be gained in this segment, hence they’ve introduced a concise of their own. Sharing crossover know-how with Nissan, Renault will be hoping to emulate the Qashqai’s British success.

Cue the 2018 Renault Kadjar, as shown below. The name sounds eccentric, but according to Renault, Kadjar is a portmanteau of Kad this means quad (the ATVs), and Jar, a French term for agile.

Sharing a platform with the Qashqai, you will surely visit a hint of Nissan styling within. However, the Kadjar also follows Renault’s design philosophy. Being truly a crossover created for the global market, it presents an inoffensive look with plenty of soft curves.

It’s basically an enlarged amalgamation of the Captur and Clio. Renault have incorporated a brutish styling in to the front and rear skid plate, rugged-looking side kick plates and black wheel arch cladding. They contrast the action-ready design with a careful usage of accentuated lines and painted, curved side moulding. It’s an excellent mix of style and substance which should attract potential customers.

Our test model 2018 Renault Kadjar may be the range-topping Signature variant which features stylish 19″ ‘Zeus’ diamond cut alloy wheels. It’s finished in vivid Flame Red, gives it a sporty feel.

To power the Kadjar, Renault has chosen a basic engine. This one 1.6-litre dCi 130 turbodiesel inline-4 produces a modest 130 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque. And needlessly to say, it’s an engine that the Qashqai shares.

That engine is married to a 6-speed manual transmission which powers leading wheels. This permits the Kadjar to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 9.9 seconds, with a high speed of 118 mph. It’s rated at 62.8 mpg and emits 117 g/km of CO2.

As a worldwide model, the 2018 Renault Kadjar includes a wide range of drivetrain options. In the event that you pick the Signature trim, your alternatives range from a little 1.2-litre turbocharged inline-4 engine to a 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-4. In the event that you get a diesel car, you can select a 1.5-litre turbodiesel inline-4 engine, with the dCi 130 being the biggest diesel available. Oddly, the Signature’s dCi 130 can only just be had with the 6-speed manual but with an array of either 2WD or 4WD.

How Does The 2018 Renault Kadjar Drive?

Of course, the 130 horsepower figure isn’t tailored for enthusiasts, but remind yourself of its true purpose and adjust your expectations accordingly, and it’s not bad at all.

While it’s not fast, it’s powerful enough to steadily gain pace. The dCi 130 reaches its best around 2,000 rpm, with a good torque band to check out through. It’s certainly adequate as a city runabout. At low revs, the engine is smooth and easy to take care of.

Under strenuous acceleration however, the engine starts to rumble. It’s better to keep carefully the revs low, because it makes the most torque listed below. The engine is reliable with instantaneous torque offered by the midrange.

The 6-speed manual transmission gives it a typical feel but it is quite flexible. The gears are light and simple to use.

The 2018 Renault Kadjar shifts itself smoothly. It’s not so lively and doesn’t respond well to rough handling needlessly to say from your own typical crossover. Nevertheless, the automobile is suitable for sensible B road driving.

The vehicle is quite easy to take care of. Visibility is good with few blind spots, however the rear window is a bit small.

The steering is consistent and lightweight with reliable brakes. An effortless clutch action helps it be straightforward to operate a vehicle in traffic. The suspension is neat and copes well with potholes. But on treacherous roads, things are more difficult.

Being truly a diesel-powered crossover, the Kadjar will entice caravanners or those just attempting to tow. It includes a 4,000 lbs max towing weight with a braked trailer, and 1,650 lbs unbraked. It really is an assertive car, maintaining a calm demeanour even at motorway speeds.

WHAT’S The 2018 Renault Kadjar Like Inside?

Where in fact the 2018 Renault Kadjar Signature truly excels is inside. Before you part of, you’ll start to see the Bose branded door sills, which form section of the Bose Energy Efficient AUDIO SYSTEM which comes as standard on the Signature Nav.

The seats are upholstered in a mixture of cloth and faux leather, that is a standard option for the Signature. They are comfortable and supportive when driving.

The material choices are satisfactory. Renault have kept the inside minimalistic, giving it an upmarket feel. All variants have the invaluable central digital information instrument cluster as standard. Dynamique models and above include a hands-free entry and begin with a keycard with Renault’s logo onto it.

Dynamique trims and above get yourself a 7″ infotainment touchscreen system. It has a decent interface and responsive inputs but is otherwise unexceptional. Its infotainment system doesn’t incorporate Android Auto and Apple CarPlay though. The Bose sound system sounds good, an impression bassy but otherwise quite balanced.

There is enough of space for storage for small items around the cabin. However, there is absolutely no bottle holder in the entranceway pockets however the dual-level armrest cubby hole is fairly spacious. There is additional space for storage for your phones below the centre console, which also contains two USB ports, an auxiliary jack and a 12-volt charging socket.

You will find a cupholder prior to the armrest, but this is simply not ideal for tall drinks. The glovebox is okay for small items. Passenger space in the front is generous, with a lot of leg and headroom and an increased driving position.

Rear passenger room can be plentiful. Despite having the panoramic sunroof that’s standard for Signature models, headroom is enough and legroom adequate, even for taller passengers. Having said that, the centre seat includes a hump which will encroach on the available legroom. Pull down the armrest and you’ll find two cupholders. A charging socket can be available for the trunk passengers.

The boot capacity is great at 472-litres. Better still, in the event that you pull a lever privately of the boot wall, you’ll get a cavernous 1,478-litres of storage. A diminutive load lip makes it simple to stack luggage. The boot floor is truly a false floor that on Signature trims and above accommodates the giant Bose subwoofer.

The knowledge

Driving the 2018 Renault Kadjar Signature was a nice experience. It’s equally more comfortable with city streets, country roads and motorways. It comes with an inoffensive look, in fact it is suitable for towing.

Aside from some minor quibbles, the Kadjar is an extremely pragmatic crossover that’ll attract buyers.

Verdict

With the 2018 Renault Kadjar, it’s clear that the French brand is rolling out a solid contender because of this market. Borrowing from the already entrenched Nissan Qashqai has definitely helped them out. Where it prevails over the Qashqai has been its increased practicality and nods to Renault’s chic styling philosophy.

If you’re thinking about buying one, then your Dynamique S model with the dCi 110 automatic drivetrain is your go-to-model. In the event that you plan to tow, the dCi 130 using its extra muscle is advisable. Otherwise, the dCi 110 combines ample pace with a nice driving experience. The Dynamique S model may be the most up-to-date, having a 7″ touchscreen with satnav, climate control, 19″ alloys and parking sensors.

2018 Renault Kadjar Signature Specs