1997 RENAULT Kangoo 1.4L 5MT FWD (75 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Renault introduced the Kangoo on the market in 1997, combining the attributes of a light commercial vehicle with a spacious family vehicle.

The French automaker was already known for its minivans that dominated the European segment. Still, the carmaker considered that it could do more. The carmaker used many parts from its storage bins to lower its production costs. Still, the result was far better than anyone expected.

With its front fascia that resembled the Clio’s second generation, the Kangoo sported a tall bodywork with a roomy interior. However, the front end was short and followed by a steep, wide windshield. The passenger version featured a standard sliding door for the rear passengers. At the back, the carmaker offered the option for either a tailgate or a twin-door system. To lower the cost, Renault didn’t bother offering body-colored bumpers or door mirrors. In addition, to save the buyer’s money, it installed the taillights high on the rear pillars, flanking the tailgate, keeping them safe from small parking bumps.

Inside, it was plenty of room for five tall adults. At the front, the high-mounted seats helped the driver and the side passenger to have a nice view of the road. Moreover, thanks to the tall roof, the carmaker could place a shelf between the upper side of the windshield and the ceiling. Last but not least, the rear occupants were spoiled with enough legroom, and they could slip their feet under the front seats. At the same time, the 60/40 split-folding bench could expand the trunk space to an LCV-approved size.

Under the hood, Renault installed a wide engine range for this vehicle’s class. The smallest powerplant was a 1.2-liter unit, while the top-performance version was powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline unit. Yet, the customers appreciated the highly fuel-efficient turbo-diesel units.