Renault Kadjar SUV - Engines, drive & performance
The Renault Kadjar’s petrol engine is punchy and the car is better to drive than some other SUVs
The engines that have made up the Renault Kadjar's range are borrowed from the Nissan Qashqai, which uses a lot of the same mechanical parts. A 148bhp diesel with four-wheel-drive was available from 2018 onwards but now the Kadjar isn’t available with a diesel engine or four-wheel drive.
The Renault is, however, very good to drive on the road. The steering is precise and the Kadjar turns into corners well. There’s a lot of grip on offer and, for a tall-riding SUV, the Kadjar does a good job of keeping body lean at bay.
All engines are smooth and the 1.3-litre petrol is quite punchy given its small size. The diesel has plenty of power in the middle of the rev range, which is useful for overtaking and towing safely.
Petrol engine
While two petrols and a diesel used to be available, you can now only pick the 1.3-litre engine called the TCe 140. Its 138bhp is enough for driving around town, where the Kadjar feels pretty sprightly. It can feel a little strained at times when overtaking, despite its 0-62mph time of 9.4 seconds looking quick on paper.
