The Sensible Crossover: Charting the Evolution of the Renault Kadjar

In the early 2010s, the automotive world was in the throes of a revolution. The traditional family hatchback and saloon were rapidly being usurped by a new king: the crossover SUV. This burgeoning C-segment market, a perfect blend of SUV styling, hatchback running costs, and family-friendly practicality, was a goldmine Renault desperately needed to tap. While their larger Koleos had met with a lukewarm reception in Europe, their Alliance partner, Nissan, was enjoying phenomenal success with the Qashqai. Renault’s answer, born from this strategic partnership, was the Kadjar—a vehicle that would successfully cement the French brand’s place in the most competitive sector of the modern car market.

The Genesis: A Strategic Alliance (2015)

The Renault Kadjar was officially unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, entering production shortly thereafter for the 2015 model year. The name itself was a typically eclectic Renault creation, a portmanteau of two words: ‘Kad’, inspired by ‘quad’ to represent its go-anywhere, four-wheeled nature, and ‘Jar’, referencing the French words ‘agile’ and ‘jaillir’, meaning to emerge suddenly.

Beneath its stylish French skin, the Kadjar was a direct beneficiary of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. It was built on the jointly developed Common Module Family (CMF-CD) platform, the very same architecture that underpinned the second-generation Nissan Qashqai. This shared platform gave the Kadjar a head start, providing proven mechanicals, dimensions, and manufacturing efficiencies. It shared approximately 60% of its parts with its Japanese cousin, though crucially, over 95% of the visible parts were unique to Renault, ensuring it had its own distinct identity.

This identity was shaped by the design language of Laurens van den Acker, Renault’s then-Senior Vice President of Corporate Design. The Kadjar boasted a far more fluid and muscular aesthetic than the angular Qashqai. It featured a prominent diamond logo on the grille, flowing lines, sculpted sides, and pronounced rear haunches, giving it a soft yet confident road presence that was immediately identifiable as a modern Renault.

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Phase 1: The Launch and Early Years (2015-2018)

Upon its launch, the Kadjar was presented with a straightforward and logical range of engines and trim levels designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of buyers, from company car drivers to growing families.

Engine Line-up (2015-2018):

The initial powertrain options focused heavily on efficiency and low running costs, a key consideration for European buyers.

• Petrol: A single petrol option was available: the 1.2 TCe 130, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 130 horsepower. It was available exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, targeting urban and private buyers who didn’t require long-distance diesel economy.
• Diesel: The diesel offerings were the backbone of the range.
  • The 1.5 dCi 110 was the efficiency champion. This renowned engine, producing 110 horsepower, offered exceptional fuel economy and low CO2 emissions, making it a favourite among fleet managers. It could be paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) automatic gearbox.
  • The 1.6 dCi 130 was the more powerful diesel option, producing 130 horsepower. This engine provided more torque and pulling power, making it better suited for towing or carrying heavy loads. Crucially, this was the only engine available with Renault’s All-Mode 4×4-i intelligent four-wheel-drive system, which offered 2WD, Auto, and Lock modes. The front-wheel-drive version came with a manual gearbox.

Trim Levels (UK Market, 2015-2018):

The UK trim structure was designed to be a clear ladder of progression, with each step adding more technology, comfort, and style.

• Expression+: The entry point to the Kadjar range. Standard equipment was generous for its time, including manual air conditioning, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control with a speed limiter, front fog lights, and 16-inch steel wheels. Safety was also a priority, with ABS, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), and a full suite of airbags included.
• Dynamique Nav: This was the volume-selling heart of the range and was expected to account for the majority of sales. It built upon the Expression+ by adding significant technology and convenience features. The key addition was the ‘Nav’ in its name: the 7-inch R-Link 2 multimedia system with satellite navigation. It also gained 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, and the Visio System, which included lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition.
• Dynamique S Nav: A further step up, this trim added more premium styling and convenience. It upgraded the wheels to 19-inch diamond-cut alloys, which significantly enhanced the car’s visual appeal. It also featured front and rear parking sensors, electrically folding door mirrors, and part-synthetic leather/cloth upholstery.
• Signature Nav: This was the flagship model, offering a taste of luxury. It included full black leather upholstery, a panoramic glass sunroof, a premium Bose sound system with a subwoofer, full LED headlights, and unique ‘Signature’ badging. This trim was designed to compete with the top-end specifications of rivals.

Over this period, Renault also introduced special editions like the Signature S Nav, which added heated front seats and Nappa leather upholstery, further enhancing the premium feel.

Phase 2: The Mid-Life Facelift (2018-2022)

By 2018, the C-segment SUV market had become even more crowded and technologically advanced. Competitors like the Peugeot 3008 and Skoda Karoq had raised the bar for interior quality and infotainment. To remain competitive, Renault introduced a comprehensive facelift for the Kadjar, which began arriving in showrooms in early 2019. The changes were subtle on the outside but significant under the skin and inside the cabin.

Exterior and Interior Updates:

Externally, the facelift brought a wider, more assertive grille with new chrome inserts, redesigned front and rear bumpers, and the integration of Renault’s signature C-shaped LED daytime running lights into the headlight units. Rectangular fog lights replaced the old round units, and new alloy wheel designs and paint colours were introduced.

Inside, the improvements were more noticeable. Renault addressed criticisms of the original car’s cabin by focusing on perceived quality and ergonomics. The 7-inch R-Link 2 infotainment screen was redesigned to sit flush with the dashboard for a sleeker look, and crucially, it was updated to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring—a feature sorely missing from the original. The climate controls were replaced with three elegant rotary dials featuring integrated digital displays, a design borrowed from the Dacia Duster that felt far more premium. Satin chrome finishes were applied more liberally, and the seats were redesigned with new foam and adjustment options for improved comfort.

Engine Overhaul (2018-2022):

The most significant changes came in the engine department, driven by the implementation of the new, stricter WLTP emissions standards.

• Petrol: The old 1.2 TCe was retired. In its place came a brand-new 1.3 TCe four-cylinder petrol engine, co-developed with Mercedes-Benz. This advanced engine, which also saw service in the A-Class, was offered in two states of tune: 140 hp and 160 hp. Both were available with a six-speed manual or a new seven-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic, offering a much smoother and more powerful driving experience than the outgoing unit.
• Diesel: The diesel engines were also updated to meet the new regulations. They were re-branded as ‘Blue dCi’ and featured Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology with AdBlue injection to reduce NOx emissions. The lineup consisted of:
  • The 1.5 Blue dCi 115, an updated version of the efficiency-focused engine, now with a modest power increase to 115 hp.
  • A new 1.7 Blue dCi 150, which replaced the old 1.6 dCi. This engine produced 150 hp and was the sole option for buyers wanting the 4×4 drivetrain, which it was paired with exclusively via a manual gearbox.

Revised Trim Levels (UK Market, 2018-2022):

The facelift also saw a simplification and renaming of the trim structure.

• Play: The new entry-level model. It retained a strong specification, including the 7-inch touchscreen (now with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto), rear parking sensors, cruise control, and automatic climate control.
• Iconic: Replacing Dynamique Nav as the likely best-seller, the Iconic trim added 19-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation, front and rear parking sensors, and folding door mirrors.
• S Edition: This trim added a sporty and high-tech flavour. It featured blue stitching on the seats, a panoramic sunroof, and full LED headlights as standard.
• GT Line: The new range-topper, replacing Signature Nav. The GT Line offered a distinctively sporty look with a different design of 19-inch alloy wheels, full leather upholstery, a hands-free parking system, blind-spot warning, and a 360-degree camera system.

The End of an Era and a Lasting Legacy

Production of the Renault Kadjar quietly wound down in 2022. It was not directly replaced by a new generation of the same name. Instead, Renault introduced its successor: the all-new Renault Austral. The shift in name signified a fundamental shift in technology. The Kadjar’s CMF-CD platform, while excellent, was not engineered to accommodate the advanced E-Tech full hybrid powertrains that were central to Renault’s future strategy. The Austral, built on the newer CMF-CD3 platform, was designed from the ground up for electrification.

The Kadjar’s seven-year production run (2015-2022) marked a pivotal chapter for Renault. It was the right car at the right time. While it may not have been the most dynamic to drive or the most luxurious inside, it was a supremely competent, comfortable, and stylish family vehicle. It successfully filled a crucial gap in Renault’s lineup, selling in significant numbers across Europe and proving that the French manufacturer could compete head-on with the segment’s best. The Renault Kadjar was the sensible, stylish crossover that brought the brand into the mainstream of the modern family car market, paving the way for the more technologically advanced generation that would follow.