Renault Kangoo E-Tech Reviews

Renault has become the latest carmaker to front a new electric multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) after unveiling the Trafic E-Tech in the UK.Featuring at the Birmingham Commercial Vehicle show overnight, Renault Van Design Chief Yannick Bignon told Autocar the new model is under consideration for the UK, which is the same status for the local market, as confirmed to CarsGuide by a Renault Australia spokesperson.If it does come to Australia, we can expect it to go up against the new electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz, Ford E-Transit Custom and potentially, the Kia PV5 Cargo.It won’t exceed its rivals on peak outputs, with the Trafic E-Tech set to deliver 140kW/354Nm from a single rear-mounted electric motor. That compares to 160kW/415Nm on the E-Transit Custom and 210kW/560Nm on the ID.Buzz, with the latter's top-spec GTX grade peaking at 250kW.Where the Trafic E-Tech may exceed its rivals, though, is functionality and design. The French-built Trafic E-tech will carry two battery options: a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) pack good for a claimed 350km of range, and a larger nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) unit good for circa 450km of range, both under the WLTP cycle.Additionally, there is 800-volt architecture, meaning charging from 15-80 per cent occurs in under 20 minutes using a DC fast charger. There is also vehicle-to-load capacity.The new Trafic E-Tech brings an overhauled look relative to its current diesel sibling, swapping out the striped grille and large headlights for a more refined look.The front fascia includes sleeker LED headlights and badging and has moved further up the bonnet to almost border the windscreen, leaving a chunkier lower bumper housing small LED fog lights.The overall shape of the Trafic E-Tech remains broadly the same, though there are more prominent black plastic trims and newly designed alloy wheels.Inside, there is a 10-inch digital driver’s display, a 12-inch driver-oriented multimedia interface and a new steering wheel pulled from the Renault Megane E-Tech. As before, a three-seat–bench-seat configuration is standard.The Trafic E-tech will line-up against its Goellete E-Tech sibling, which adopts a rear canopy fit for a food truck, as well as the taller camper van-style Estafette E-Tech.All three models are built on Renault’s scalable skate board-style EV architecture, and are set to go on sale in Europe next year.

Renault has opened the order books for the second batch of its bespoke EV hot hatch, with 500 units available to regions including Australia.

Will Renault ever put the Austral in Australia?

Mitsubishi has revealed its next new small SUV model, the Grandis, which will sit above the ASX but below the Outlander in its international line-up, offering both mild and full hybrid drivetrain options.

We often see Renault Trafics hard at work in a variety of trade and delivery roles, even though they represent a relatively small slice of Australia's booming mid-sized van market. So, is this capable French van worthy of luring more buyers away from the dominant Toyota HiAce?

In a rare act of bipartisan goodwill, Renault is making its lifesaving tech free for all to use.

If there’s one thing French carmakers do well, it’s front-drive hot hatches.  The Peugeot 205 GTi and Renault 5 GT were cars for the car-loving people, and the two brands would go on to duke it out for front-wheel drive driving supremacy for nearly 40 years. 

At long last, Australian Renault importer Ateco has officially confirmed Dacia for our market. 

The Captur will become Renault’s first ‘connected car’ in Australia. 

Sometimes the best cars are amongst the worst sellers.