Renault has completed its utility offer from below with the Express, a largely modernized version of the Dacia Dokker. This basic van offers an attractive price-performance ratio and is presented as an alternative to more “high-end” vans, including the all-new Kangoo Van.
Renault had until now only one model of van: the Kangoo. This small utility, leader in its segment since its launch, has faced many competitors throughout its career. Among them was the Dacia Dokker a few years ago. This other van of the group, in the colors of the manufacturer low cost, offered basic services at a great price. If the Dokker has had a completely satisfactory commercial career outside France, this was not the case in France, where Renault quite simply killed this internal competitor.
Time has passed, and the Dokker has disappeared from the Dacia catalog. But here it reappears today in a largely modernized version (only the body has been preserved), with a diamond on the grille and the name Express Van. Its goal: to complete the range of Renault utility vehicles from below. The Losange now has two vans in its catalog. Enough to ask yourself THE annoying question: why choose a Kangoo when an Express offers a completely satisfactory price-performance ratio? Here are some answers.
Renault Kangoo Van price
The Kangoo Van, just marketed, is not yet available in all versions and engines, as the Maubeuge plant has not yet reached its full production capacity. It is therefore necessary for the moment be satisfied with models equipped with the Sesame system open up, standard length, and choose from four engines: petrol TCe 100 and 130 and diesel Blue dCi 75 and 95. The other versions of the Kangoo Van – classic without Sesame open, extended L2 (+ 420 mm), three-seater with sheet metal partition and Blue dCi 115 engine – will only appear during the year. And, at the end of 2021, it will be the turn of the 100% electric version Kangoo Van E-Tech to make its arrival. The Kangoo is only offered at launch with the two top-of-the-range Grand Confort and Extra finishes. Reviewed in July 2021, prices range from € 21,400 to € 23,700 excluding tax.
Renault Express Van price
The Express Van has a more restricted range of engines, made up of a single gasoline (1.3 TCe 100 hp) and two diesels (1.5 Blue dCi of 75 and 95 hp). Here, only two finishes exist: Essential and Comfort. The first is aptly named since it offers the driver’s airbag, Stop & Start, cruise control / speed limiter, electric windows and central locking. It is therefore advisable to favor the Comfort finish, which offers a satisfactory level of equipment with, in addition, air conditioning or the height-adjustable driver’s seat. This livery also provides access to options and equipment prohibited with the Essentiel finish. Prices range from € 17,900 to € 20,100 excluding VAT since July 2021. With equivalent engines, the price differences are around € 3,000 in favor of the Express, which nevertheless offers many equipment options. (See price tables on page 2.)
To drive
It is undoubtedly at the level of comfort that the difference is the most important between the two utilities. The Kangoo is based on the latest generation CMF platform, which has a direct impact on the comfort and safety equipment available. The suspensions linked to this platform are more elaborate, especially at the rear axle. The occupants thus benefit from a very good level of comfort, both empty and loaded. The Kangoo driver’s seat is also more welcoming, softer, and its many adjustments allow you to find a satisfactory driving position.
All of this makes Renault’s “top-of-the-range” van a vehicle that is very pleasant to use and comfortable in all circumstances. Heading is excellent and braking is very efficient. It is possible to ride for a long time in good conditions. As the Blue dCi 75 engine has limited performance, it is better to turn to the Blue dCi 95 version, which is more versatile, or else to opt for the TCe 100, a pleasant petrol engine whose only flaw is gluttony. As for the TCe 130 version, it displays quite a bit of character and delivers enticing performance. But be careful here too with consumption when the right foot is heavier.
On the Express side, comfort is firmer, even if the running gears have been modernized compared to those of the Dokker. The rear axle is, in fact, that of the second generation Kangoo. Without being strictly speaking uncomfortable, the Express is less pleasant to drive than its rival. It lets you feel irregularities more, filters vibrations and rolling noise less well, and tends to take a little more body roll. However, this does not prevent it from properly receiving its occupants with two rather welcoming independent seats, even if they offer less support than those of the Kangoo.
The Comfort finish provides a driver’s seat adjustable in height, a plus. Overall, the Express offers services lower than the Kangoo from the point of view of comfort and handling. But Renault’s entry-level van is proving to be a powerful utility on a daily basis, especially for limited journeys. With an equivalent engine, the Express is a little more lively than the Kangoo. Lighter, with gearboxes with shorter ratios, it shows pleasant acceleration (except with the dCi 75, which is still limited). On the other hand, the TCe 100 and the dCi 95 provide satisfactory performance.
Life on board
It is without a doubt in the driver’s cab the Kangoo especially stands out from the Express. First, by its dashboard, much more modern and with a more refined design. Then by the materials because, even if hard plastic is omnipresent, the materials used are more flattering and the finishes, a cut above.
The Kangoo is also distinguished by its many storage spaces, better arranged or original such as the glove box drawer. Conversely, some Express finishing details are of poor quality; we think here of the headlight height adjustment control located at the bottom of the dashboard to the left of the driver and which seems to come from another era. As for the induction charging location for smartphones (optional), it is located at the bottom, between the two seats, against the partition wall and behind the handbrake lever. Not ideal. The owner of the smartphone risks losing his phone under the seats.
And if the Express can benefit from a multifunction steering wheel, its finish is clearly behind. Overall, each time the two vehicles have the same type of equipment, that of the Kangoo is more qualitative. His virtual rearview mirror via a camera thus outclasses its alter ego, both in size and screen resolution. In addition, certain comfort elements are unavailable on the Express, such as regulated air conditioning, front and side parking sensors or even the dashboard with digital color screen for central computer indications. At last, the Kangoo has a greater elbow width to that of the Express ; the feeling of a more spacious cabin is not just a sensation.
For now, the Kangoo Van is only available with the Open Sesame system. This device, associated with the absence of a center pillar, allows a wide access on board from the right side. But it implies the presence of a partly meshed modular partition and a fixed passenger seat. The mesh partition naturally filters the noise coming from the cargo area less well and can also be a source of noise. Finally, once the system is deployed, you have to choose between cargo and passenger. From this point of view, the Express, available with the solid partition wall, does better than the Kangoo Sesame open. To be able to take advantage of a solid partition on the Kangoo (and even a two-seater passenger bench), we will have to wait until later in the year.
Dimensions, volumes and payloads
On the maximum payload side, the “standard” Kangoo can carry 600 kilos and even 800 kg with the reinforced payload option, whatever the engine chosen. The Express displays a maximum payload of 650 kilos with diesel engines and can go up to 780 kg with the increased payload on the TCE 100. The useful volumes are identical: 3.3 m3, bAlthough the open Sesame system, reserved for the Kangoo, allows you to have nearly 1 m3 additional useful, with the reservations already mentioned. But the shape of the cargo space is not the same. Thus, the Express has a maximum useful length of 1,915 mm (the largest in the category) against 1,810 mm for the Kangoo. The latter takes the upper hand in terms of useful width with 1248 mm between the wheel arches, against 1170 mm for the Express, and 1570 mm maximum width at the rear doors, against 1416 mm. The two vans, on the other hand, are equal in terms of useful height with 1,100 mm for the Express and 1,115 mm for the Kangoo. It should also be remembered that the Kangoo will also be available in a long version L2 (+ 420 mm and 3.9 m3) during the year, the Express Van only exists in one dimension.
Difficult to separate the two models from the point of view of cargo space. If a standard van, without much modularity is sufficient, the Express will be able to do the trick. If, on the contrary, you are looking for innovative loading solutions, the Kangoo, with its open Sesame system or the interior gallery for transporting long objects away from the weather and prying eyes, is for you.
