Renault Kangoo 2025 review: E-Tech - GVM test

The Kangoo E-Tech is available in short wheelbase (SWB) or long wheelbase (LWB) configurations.

Our test vehicle is the SWB version in standard 'Mineral White' paint, which shares the same front-wheel-drive powertrain as its LWB sibling consisting of a single electric motor, single-speed automatic transmission and 45kWh lithium-ion battery for a list price of $61,990.

That’s $2K more than its Peugeot E-Partner Pro Long Auto rival and a whopping $20K more than its Kangoo SWB Petrol 1.3L EDC sibling. Our example is also fitted with the ‘smart’ rear-view mirror option ($800) which projects a sharp digital image from a rear-facing camera.

The E-Tech’s standard equipment list includes work-focused 16-inch steel wheels and 205/65R16 tyres. However, it misses out on a full-size spare like petrol Kangoos, instead relying on a tyre inflation kit.

2025 Renault Kangoo E-Tech SWB (image: Mark Oastler)

There’s also auto-door lock when driving, rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, reversing camera, rear parking sensors and audible alert for pedestrians.

Inside is a solid bulkhead separating the cabin and cargo bay and the driver gets a synthetic leather-feel steering wheel with height/reach adjustment and a colour 4.2-inch information display.

There’s also an electronic parking brake, two USB ports, two 12-volt sockets and a multimedia system controlled by an 8.0-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and a smartphone dock.

Renault also offers numerous option packs including Business Pack, Trade Pack and Peace of Mind Pack (see Driving) plus numerous single options including different cargo bay sliding-door configurations, a 200kg GVM upgrade and more.

With its 1707kg tare weight and GVM 2230kg, the SWB E-Tech has a 523kg payload rating, so it’s a genuine half-tonner.

It’s also rated to tow up to 1500kg of braked trailer. And with its 3730kg GCM (or how much it can legally carry and tow at the same time) it can haul its maximum payload while towing its maximum trailer weight, which is impressive.

The cargo bay, which offers 3.3 cubic metres of load volume, is accessed through sliding doors on each side with (by our measure) 625mm openings, or through asymmetric barn-doors at the rear. Both can be opened to 180-degrees to enhance forklift and loading dock access.

The load area is 1806mm long and 1590mm wide with 1248mm between the rear-wheel housings, so it can carry one standard Aussie pallet or two Euro pallets, held in place by a choice of six floor-mounted load-anchorage points.

2025 Renault Kangoo E-Tech SWB (image: Mark Oastler)

A protective load floor-liner is available as an accessory, the walls and doors are lined to mid-height and there’s internal lighting.

The front doors open to a full 90 degrees, providing conspicuously wide access. The cabin has a spacious and airy feel, even for someone my height (186cm) thanks to a high roof height relative to the seating position, plus ample leg and elbow room.

The solid bulkhead, which doubles as a cargo barrier, insulates the cabin from most cargo bay noise and minimises demand on the climate control air-con, which thankfully provides three physical dials rather than the distraction of touchscreen prompts when adjusting settings.

Cabin storage includes a large bottle holder and bin in the base of each door, plus a sizeable clamshell-lidded compartment in the dash-pad ahead of the driver. This incorporates a handy smartphone holder, which can be moved to either side depending on driver preference.

There’s also a large open storage area in the centre of the dash-pad plus a full-width overhead shelf, single glovebox and a centre console containing two cupholders and open trays for small items.

2025 Renault Kangoo E-Tech SWB (image: Mark Oastler)

Our only criticisms are the lack of hinge detents or struts to hold the rear barn-doors open in their 180-degree positions, given that a gust of wind when loading/unloading can slam them shut with potential injury for the operator.

We also think full-electric vans need to provide dedicated storage for their charging cables, as they are often treated as an afterthought.

For example, our E-Tech’s bulky public-charging cable was coiled up between the bulkhead and passenger seat backrest. This required the seat base to be slid about 50mm further forward to accommodate it, resulting in reduced passenger backrest angle and legroom.

Other test vehicles have been supplied with these cables sitting on the passenger floor, stuffed into overhead shelving etc which are all unsatisfactory locations for such an important piece of equipment.

2025 Renault Kangoo E-Tech SWB (image: Mark Oastler)

The E-Tech’s single electric motor produces 90kW of power and 245Nm of torque and drives the front wheels through a single-speed transmission.

It offers an energy-saving ‘Eco’ mode plus three regenerative braking modes comprising low (B1), medium (B2) and high (B3). These are sequentially selected using the gearshift, with each mode shown on the driver’s information display.

2025 Renault Kangoo E-Tech SWB (image: Mark Oastler)

Renault claims a WLTP-certified driving range of 286km from the E-Tech’s 45kWh lithium-ion battery mounted under the load floor.

We completed a total distance of 249km, part of which was hauling a near-maximum payload. We often switched between Normal and Eco modes.

At the completion of our test, the dash display was claiming average consumption of 15.1kWh/100km, so based on that figure the claimed driving range is credible in ‘real world’ usage.

2025 Renault Kangoo E-Tech SWB (image: Mark Oastler)

We topped up the battery charge each night using a Renault-supplied portable charger, which plugged into a domestic wall socket and charged at a rate of around 1.7kWh per hour.

Renault claims charging times of around 2 hours 25 mins with a 22kW AC charger, which shortens to around 1 hour 25 mins for vehicles equipped with an optional 80kW DC on-board charger.

The Kangoo doesn't have an ANCAP rating but it does come equipped with driver and passenger front and side airbags plus auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, lane-keeping, rear parking sensors and reversing camera. Desirable active features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, front and side parking sensors etc are only available as part of optional packs.

2025 Renault Kangoo E-Tech SWB (image: Mark Oastler)