Test drive by Renault Kangoo 1997 - 2003 Minivan

Hard workers in starch collars

How great it was when my friends and I gathered Izhevsk heeled literally from the rubbish many years ago! On weekdays, this workhorse transported fresh bread in the dachas in the vicinity of Istra, and on weekends we got into the cab and body and drove into the rest house at the disco ... The combat was a machine. And I remembered her, having tried myself driving Renault Kangoo and the latest Fiat Doblo.
The meeting with Fiat Doblo turned out to be unplanned. Taking the first start of Alfa Romeo 147, I accidentally saw a familiar profile. Kangoo? What are the fate in the Italian salon? And only looking closely, it became clear that this was not an old acquaintance at all, but the latest (from the first party in Russia) a commercial van from Fiat. Yes, these cars are really similar to profile. From the face, there are much more differences. Renault is frankly lupis, as if constantly surprised by something. However, there is something kind, homemade and manual in it, while Fiat with its somewhat brutal black plastic in all in front and huge windshield is more like a real truck. But, of course, the highlight of such cars is not in appearance. Both Kangoo and Doblo are the direct heirs of Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner, who made a small revolution in the ideas about small cargo -passenger cars in 1996. The new class opened the way to the market of both family and commercial machines. Already the next, 1997, along the path of the PSA concern, which includes Citroen and Peugeot, Renault, which released the Kangoo model, went.
One of the main trump cards of such machines is a large number of executions (freight and cargo -passenger) and sets. Modifications that have visited us are more family than commercial. Therefore, first of all, let's see how convenient it is in Kangoo and Doblo to passengers who have placed behind. Both cars can proudly boast a full-fledged 3-seater of the seats. The difference comes down to the nuances, and here is Fiat ahead. The seat itself in it is a little wider, so the feeling of the elbow when three travels manifest less. And the upholstery of the doors with small pockets at the Italian is more interesting than the deaf plastic panel on Kangoo. There are no problems with the legs, which is explained by a specific landing a la, a stool, which is hardly suitable for long -range warriors, but will provide acceptable comfort on short city trips. The Frenchman wins only in volume of space above the head with growth within 180 cm, you can lazily stretch out without resting on the ceiling. And you can put the ceiling boxes from the list of additional equipment, this is really relevant, since the passenger airbag on Kangoo eats the glove compartment, leaving only an unusual shelf at the front passenger's legs. Fiat flaunts a comfortable handrail and a small glove box.
The trunks of both cars, even in the passenger version, are rather big and covered with a stiff removable shelf. However, if Fiat is covered with a pile carpet, then Renault uses lightly plastic that protects not only the floor, but also the side walls (by the way, the same situation in the cabin under the feet of Kangoo riders is clearly preferable for a commercial car). The shelf of the trunk in the Frenchman is also more convenient, besides, it is easier and faster. The reserve for both Fiat and Renault is under the bottom, so in the case of replacement, it will not be necessary to unload the trunk. Now we put the rear seats. On both cars, they are folded only entirely and are fixed with rubber cords for the front head restraints. This operation is quite simple. It is only a pity that the Italian has an overly bulky fixer, which, with a folded seat, bulges back. However, in the cargo perspective, Fiat looks better than the opponent: the cargo compartment is 600 liters larger, and the loading height is less. As for the doors, the differences are reduced to the configuration of the car. On Renault with an upward door to the warehouse loading overpasses and openings, you can’t drive closely, but it can be used as a canopy. On the Italian, the doors open 180 degrees, but for some reason they are fixed only in position 90. By the way, in winter, when opening the swing doors on Doblo, the ice will be useful from the bumper's edge, otherwise there is a risk of scratching them.
You can load through the shifts of the rear doors, although in this case the folded seat will interfere. In the passenger version, there are no problems with access back if you are at this moment ... do not refuel. The fact is that as soon as the gas tank opens, the left back door is automatically blocked. By the way, since the conversation came about the gas stations, it is worthwhile to know that Fiat is absolutely defenseless before those who want to profit from your gasoline. Now it's time to try our hard workers in business. Let's start with a flight on an old acquaintance. You sit the first impression, as in a high chair. The steering wheel is almost vertically and you will have to put up with this enough, since the height adjustment is not provided. However, in general, sitting in Renault is comfortable in place, and the pedal node deserves a separate praise. Documents can be thrown on a shelf above the windshield without fear that an extraneous eye will be interested in them. And if you need to see something yourself, just throw off the visor hiding the slots. There is more regiment on the Doblo, but for some reason all are dotted with holes. Through this colander, the contents can be seen even outside.
Start key. Under the hood of Kangoo, engine 1.4 woke up, well familiar to many from the Clio Symbol model. However, there is not just a tachometer about it, but the engine is practically not heard at idle. I taxi on a tightly walking avenue and begin to nimble in the rows. The machine, it turns out, is groovy! Small dimensions, clear gear shifts, a well -tangible steering, a motor with a good bottom that can also be twisted ... But I’m going on a commercial car. But only the noises of the resonating body and the harsh back suspension are reminiscent of this (in the event that the car is empty). And there were no frightening rolls once, so the passengers did not even have time to get scared. In general, what is necessary for a big city. As they say, utilitarianism is not to the detriment of the driver.
And what about Fiat? Unfortunately, only weak versions with a 1.2 engine are supplied to us so far. And the difference of 10 horses is felt compared to the Frenchman. Yes, and sings the motor louder, sometimes drowning aerodynamic noises. In addition, the suspension is harder here than on Kangoo. However, you don’t feel flawed in the city stream, and some things are even pleasing. For example, a gear lever located on the central console close to the steering wheel. And the steering wheel itself makes not 3.5 turns from the stop, as on Renault, but only 2. When maneuvering it is very convenient, however, it is more to concentrate on a high -speed straight line, although zero is quite clear. In general, if it were not for the landing with too much knees, it would be almost perfect. As a general plus for a city ride, I note a good overview of 180 forward thanks to the same high landing in the stream, this helps to calculate the situation. But the rear review on Fiat is worse due to elongated, but narrow external mirrors. As for the salon mirror, here the comparison of cars with rising and swing doors looks simply incorrect.
In general, from the point of view of the driver, both cars are quite friendly and with honor can cope with both the noble role of family station wagons, and with the grave and difficult duties of breadwinners and workhorses. Indeed, such cars are ideal for the role of carriers of small batches of goods or mail. How the fate of Doblo will turn out is not yet clear. He just takes his first steps, and so far the main obstacle to penetration of our market will obviously be the price of 3 thousand compared to Renault is still too large. But time, as you know, will show ...
 
Text Alexander Bochkarev
Photo Alexander Nozdrin
How do they look:
Nikita Rozanov
 
     
Outside:
Judging by the appearance, these cars are clearly designed for legal and transparent commerce. We ask not to worry from the shadow economy not to worry about these vans too bright and memorable appearance. The Fiat is especially beautiful, which should be seen once, then to remember for a long time and never to be confused with anyone again. Renault is also characteristic and, for example, even some branded techniques that have recently been characterized by the style of this French company are recognized from the face. The silhouettes of cars are close and very businesslike. At the same time, the proximity of stylistics is sometimes on the verge of curiosity, especially when both cars are painted in light colors. In this case, the functional parts made of black plastic are most contrasting. This is best noticeable from the side, when massive door handles are actively starting to operate in the drawing of cars, directing the rear shift door, as well as the rear lighting lights economically filling the corners of the body. Both are on top, but the wide Renault door chipper looks more convincing, and the vertically located door handle of the rear door is clearly more convenient than the traditionally horizontal, like Fiat. The advantages of the selected type of doors are pure function, however, for the integrity of perception, the single -leaf door of the Kangoo is preferable. Nevertheless, to trust the business image, swirling and asymmetric, as in Fiat, and the Italian is clearly more than the place to arrange the logo of the owner of the owner.
Results:
Renault Kangoo solid and very large -scale design leaves no doubt about the purpose of the car. For utility transport, this is the main thing.
Fiat Doblo SX Car design may seem unnecessarily eccentric, but it is convincing and professionally executed, although it is on the verge of generally accepted views on the style, which is risky for the utilitarian van.
Inside:
The interior style of these cars can be characterized in one word transition. Since this is something between a functionally verified style that determines the interior of the truck, and a somewhat frivolously fashionable style of a sort of disposable hatchback compared to it. As a result, Doblo is somewhat reminiscent of the shocking Multipla, and Kangoo permeates the spirit of an inexpensive, but practical Renault. The playfulness of the Doblo style does not interfere with integrity, and even the color, boldly introduced into functional details, only emphasizes the utilitarianism of the car. In particular, this succeeded in the design of the FIAT door panels, where the places of soft fabric inserts of the upholstery are strictly dosed by the requirements of ergonomics. The interior of Kangoo is more strict, but it does not lose it, but simply a little more complies with the utilitarian requirements of the rebellious van.
Results:
Renault Kangoo The design is clean and practical and solved in the key, more characteristic of cars.
Fiat Doblo SX on the same face as the exterior is the design of the internal space, which is solved very funny, but there are too many details and they do not always fold into a coordinated ensemble.

Source: Cars