MOTORS
THE RENAULT KADJAR cont.
THE RENAULT KADJAR
Dynamique S dCi 130 4x4
PRICE: £ 25,595 AS TESTED POWER / TORQUE: 130BHP TOP SPEED: 118MPH
ACCELERATION: 0-62MPH IN 10.5 SECS
FUEL ECONOMY: 57.6MPG( COMBINED)
CO2 EMISSIONS: 129G / KM
Speaking of the Qashqai, it’ s worth mentioning that the Kadjar gets a lot of its enginey stuff from Nissan’ s popular SUV, giving it plenty of tried and tested reliability.
Driving the Kadjar is a very pleasant experience, especially on the motorway where you find yourself relaxing and settling into longer journeys. Wind and road noise are kept to a minimum, whilst the engine provides just enough sounds to give ample driver feedback, whilst not drowning out your enjoyment of James Blunt on the in-car sound system.
The steering is well balanced, and all the car’ s controls are easy to operate, both contributing to what is a very smooth drive. That said, this isn’ t a car to nod off in; there is plenty of driving fun to be had. The Kadjar boasts some decently sharp steering, excellent road grip and very well thought out suspension, allowing a grin to be planted on the face of those who throw it into the bends with a bit of gusto. As family cars go, the Kadjar is pretty nifty, with 130bhp, a top speed of 118mph and 0-62 in a very reasonable 11 seconds.
The 1.6L diesel engine( there are other engine options too) provides ample power, whilst managing to keep the fuel costs down and the emissions low. The model we drove burned 57.6mpg( combined) and had emissions of 120g / km.
One feature I particularly appreciated, and one that perhaps I am more aware of as one who tows a big white box on the back of my car during the summer months, is the option to have allfour wheel drive.
This‘ proper’ four wheel drive will get you out of many a sticky, muddy situation, and from experience, the option to switch it on manually via a big chunky in-car dial, will be very reassuring to you as you sit inside your caravan, listening to the July rains hammering dents in the roof …
The Kadjar is a very stylish, yet wonderfully practical offering from Renault which will appeal to a great deal of different people, and is one that definitely lives up to its name. Enjoy the Kad-ness next time you find yourself on a muddy field, but please do be careful with that Jar, or indeed when suddenly appearing from anywhere, won’ t you?
Lifesyle Renault Brighton 01273 434 696 Eastbourne 01323 744 424 Horley 01293 826515 Tunbridge Wells 01892 731 514 www. lifestyleeurope. co. uk / renault
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