Renault expands SUV range in Australia with new Kadjar

Simultaneously with the release of a global facelift of the vehicle, Renault have brought the Kadjar small SUV to Australia for the first time. Sharing many parts with the Nissan Qashqai, the 2020 Kadjar will compete with the Peugeot 3008 and the Skoda Karoq, among other crossovers, though the Renault SUV – which slots between the compact Captur and the midsize Koleos – kicks off a little more affordably at $29,900 ($33,769 driveaway).

Inside, Renault has specified the Kadjar with a seven-inch touchscreen driving their refreshed R-Link infotainment system, mounted in a dash panel trimmed in black plastic. While on first glance it appears the Kadjar lacks the cabin flair of its major rival – the Peugeot 3008 – we’ll wait until we see the car in the flesh.

The facelifted Kadjar fits with Renault’s corporate design language, the C-shaped headlights – LEDs on the range-topping Intens only – and large beak logo make it identifiable, as do cute tricolour details. The brand boasts ‘fluid and athletic lines’, and we reckon the Kadjar looks suitably handsome in photos, but will reserve judgement until we lay eyes on a real specimen.

Renault’s updated R-Link-2 system means the Kadjar now gets wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which will pump tunes out via a premium Bose audio system.

The Australian lineup for the Renault Kadjar will be made up of three variants, with the $29,900 ($33,769 driveaway) entry-level Kadjar Life specified as standard with parking sensors front and rear, a reversing camera, cruise control, low-speed AEB and 17-inch alloy wheels. 

Moving up to the $32,990 ($36,859 driveaway) Kadjar Zen variant adds lane departure warning, keyless go and blind-spot monitoring, with the top spec $37,990 ($42,009 driveaway) Kadjar Intens getting larger 19-inch alloys, parking assist, fixed panoramic sunroof and full LED head and fog lights.

There will be just two options available for the Kadjar in Australia – rather bucking the trend for SUVs and their limitless customisation – with buyers getting the choice between aforementioned variants, six paint colours, five of which are metallic and cost an additional $750, and a $1,000 panoramic sunroof only available on the mid-spec Zen variant.

There will only be one engine optional available for Aussie Kadjars; a turbocharged 1.3-litre petrol four-cylinder 159TCe engine producing 117kW/260Nm, with claimed fuel consumption of 6.3l/100km, with no diesel options downunder. All Kadjars will shuffle cogs via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The Kadjar will be covered by a five year unlimited kilometre warranty while capped price servicing applies for a period of five years or 150,000km. Roadside assist is thrown in for five years, too.

A minor service will set Kadjar owners back $399 after 12 months or 30,000km – whichever comes first – with a major service due every four years or 120,000km costing $789.

The Kadjar is on sale now in Australia, and should help fill the mid-size hole in Renault’s SUV line-up, offering consumers another different in its ever-growing segment, we can’t wait to see how it stacks up.