1998 Renault Kangoo rt review from Netherlands

Not very much; the usual, more or less: (although outside of regular service-intervals)

It left us standing on 2 separate occasions because it needed

- a new battery;

- new spark-plugs.

It broke down on the road on 1 occasion because it needed

- a new exhaust.

It had to return to the (local sub-) dealer twice after having it's cam-belt periodically replaced (safely at 60.000 although officially at 80.000), because the new belt made an increasingly wining noise combined with the old one's bearings:

- new bearings: wining even rose to intolerable levels!

- again new belt, but now simultaneously with new bearings: wining as good as gone!

NO extra charge though, so no harm done ultimately.

The car is no more rattly than you'd expect from the average cheap-and cheerful french workhorse.

Nothing that a bit of PT-FE - spray can't make disappear...

The car has a very friendly atmosphere in and about it and once accustomed to it you'll never want to feel cramped in a similarly priced super-mini again...!

It automatically convinces you into a relaxed driving-style and although relatively underpowered in the traditional French manner (58bhp/140kmh/0-100:17s) it's engine is also traditionally French smooth and friendly sounding.

It does everything from towing 1600 kilos (!) of soil to carrying DIY-stuff, furniture, prams and wheelchairs and also has easy entry-exit for the elderly.

Pity though that Haynes doesn't carry a manual for it, because besides the friendly local sub-dealer, the main dealer-system leaves something to be desired. But it's uncomplicated and easy to do stuff yourself on even without a manual.

On the whole it's very comfortable for 5 (though a bit noisy), easy to operate and has a very good driving-position.