Why the Renault Kadjar should have stayed in SA

By Ané Theron

Despite being a 2017 South African Car of the Year finalist, the Renault Kadjar was discontinued locally towards the end of last year. Here are five reasons why we think it should have stayed.

1. It's a capable off-roader

While the Kadjar may look like it's only meant to park on school pavements and tackle the odd dirt road, the flagship model's wheels can be locked into 4x4-mode and you can even go sand dune driving in it. We put it to the test in the Atlantis Dunes, and we were mighty impressed. (The Kadjar 96kW dCi Dynamique 4WD)

2. It's full of safety features

Every available Kadjar in the line-up has a five-star EuroNCAP rating, with every safety acronym that matters. ABS with EBA (Emergency Brake Assist), ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ASR (Anti-spin regulation) and HSA (Hill Start Assist). Six airbags (including curtain airbags) are also standard across the range.

3. Great ride quality and interior features

Interior styling is very functional and upmarket, and the quiet, cosseting cabin makes you feel comfortably isolated from the outside world. The digital instrument cluster looks trés stylish.

The Kadjar's ride quality is smooth and comfortable; perfect for the kids as well as the grandparents. The 7-inch touchscreen system (with voice activation and satnav) is refined and intuitive.

4. Its fuel economy is excellent, especially the diesel models

We all need cars that go easy on  fuel, and the Kadjar is one of the most frugal sippers. Both the turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol derivatives and the 1.6-litre diesels are exceptional in this department, using only 6.8 litres of petrol and 5.5 litres of diesel respectively, on the combined cycle. Getting over 1000 kays out of a single tank (diesel models) was easy peasy.

5. It offers great value for money

The French are usually very generous with their convenience spec, and the Kadjar is very well equipped: The entry-level Expression-model is fitted as standard with a colour 7-inch LED cluster, MP3 CD Player, remote central locking, rear parking sensors, tyre pressure sensors, an electronic parking brake, cruise control, a gear-shift indicator, handsfree Bluetooth, Eco Mode, USB plug & AUX input, Isofix anchorage points and a full size spare wheel. 

Dynamique-models get all of this, as well as roof rails, LED headlights, cornering fog lights, skid plates, electric foldable mirrors, the 7-inch touch screen infotainment system, satnav, light & rain sensors, Dual Zone auto climate control, a leather steering wheel and gear lever, Renault Card Key, Park Distance Control (front and rear) and tinted privacy glass in the back. (Options included 19-inch alloys, a fixed panoramic sunroof, electric & heated leather seats and Park Assist with rear camera and side Park Distance Control, which allows for semi-autonomous parking.) 

The good news?

Used Kadjars have already depreciated sufficiently to make for an affordable used buy. Head over to the sales section of our website to view some pre-loved Renault Kadjars in good condition here. We spotted an entry-level Kadjar 96kW TCe Expression model with only 17 000 km on the clock for R259 990 (2017 model, 1.2-litre engine) which is steal for this spec-rich mid-sized family SUV, if you consider that a new Volkswagen Polo Hatch's  starting price is R245 500.