Renault Kadja

Ever since the Nissan Qashqai created the crossover segment back in 2006, car makers have been scrambling to create rivals. Renault’s competitor, the Koleos, failed to hit the spot for UK buyers and didn’t survive in the line-up long, but now the company is back with a new challenger that shares its underpinnings with the segment leader.

Called Kadjar, the C-segment crossover’s name is inspired by the word ‘quad’, symbolising go-anywhere four-wheel-drive vehicles, and ‘jar’, which is taken from the word ‘jaillir’, meaning agile in French. It fits into the line-up above the Captur compact crossover, and below the new Espace, which isn’t planned to be sold here in the UK. Its styling is heavily inspired by the Clio and Captur, while under the skin it makes use of the Renault-Nissan Alliance CMFC/D platform that is shared with Nissan’s Qashqai. CMF stands for ‘Compact Module Family’ and is designed around a common set of components and drivetrains that can be used across a variety of different vehicles. All buried under the skin, it allows varying models to achieve a level of commonality which reaps cost reduction rewards, while still retaining their own identity.

At 4.45 metres long, it’s a little longer than the Qashqai, but similar in size to the Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sportage. The engine range has yet to be announced, but it is thought that the Renault-Nissan Alliance 1.6-litre dCi engine will be found under the bonnet. Four-wheel-drive will be available, too, and with 190 millimetres of ground clearance, it is expected to be relatively capable off-road. Two-wheel-drive versions will come fitted with a feature called Extended Grip which enhances traction in tricky conditions. It works in association with mud and snow tyres and is capable of braking either of the front wheels individually if they are slipping, to regain traction.

Inside, a 1.4-metre square fixed glass sunroof delivers a level of airiness to the cabin, while soft-touch plastics and double stitching for the seats and instrument cowling are designed to give a feel of quality and attention to detail. An adjustable boot floor allows either a flat loading surface and underfloor storage, or a 472 litre carrying capacity if placed in the lowest position. The seats are folded down easily by tugging on levers in the boot, and fold in a 60/40 fashion, and thanks to a front passenger seat that folds in half, long loads can be carried. Oddment space is well catered for, too, with 30 litres of stowage space dotted around the cabin.

While final specifications have yet to be revealed, a wide array of technology will be found in the new Kadjar, including LED headlights, hands-free parking, a reversing camera and safety equipment like lane departure warning and road sign recognition. A seven-inch touchscreen will dominate the centre of the dashboard featuring Renault’s R-Link 2 multimedia system, as seen on the latest Espace, with voice recognition available to control the satellite navigation, radio, telephone or any of the in-built apps.

The new Kadjar will be made in Renault’s Palencia plant in Spain, alongside the Megane, and will also be the first Renault to be built in China, thanks to the company’s joint venture with Dongfeng. It is designed as a world car and will be sold in Europe, Africa, China and countries around the Mediterranean Basin. The Kadjar will make its public debut at the Geneva motor show next month, before going on sale in Europe in the summer and arriving in the UK in the autumn. It’s too early for prices to be announced, but the cheapest model is expected to cost less than £20,000.