The Mazda 3 I find a very nice car, which incidentally goes for more of Mazda models

On 11 December it was then only that: after almost four months of waiting, I was finally anyway 'my' new pick Kadjar! Now, less than a week further on the odometer again at almost 1000km.

At the beginning of 2015 I'm slowly to orientate myself on a successor to the Renault Mégane Estate which I drove. This would sit at the end of 2015 to its maximum number of lease mileage and need to be handed in. To prevent myself times in a leading car should drive, you never know what they split you in your stomach, I wanted to order the successor in time. About one thing we agreed in house RVL: we would like to consider what else a station.

This makes the search for a successor is of course easier, because what do you do? A hatchback? Or something in the direction of an SUV / crossover? Eventually we had a nice list of potential successors:
- Mazda 3
- Mazda CX-3
- Nissan Qashqai
- Suzuki Vitara
- Opel Mokka
- Renault Kadjar

A list which consists mainly of SUV / crossovers. Of course there are more cars that we had in mind, but they are soon lost.

The Mazda 3 I find a very nice car, which incidentally goes for more of Mazda models. Looked at both the hatchback and the sedan. The hatchback I find just what nicer than the sedan, but has less trunk space. The disadvantage of the diesel 3 is that the right is a tasty thick diesel. In itself not a problem, but it weighs very heavily in lease. The petrol version was also an option, if the employer with 65.000km annually prefer a diesel.

The new CX-3 was on the list. The CX-5 was outside the budget what I'm talking about a car, but a CX-3 seemed to be a nice alternative. Well, he certainly is beautiful, both inside and outside. However, the room and especially the trunk was really against making the CX-3 soon rebelled.

The Suzuki Vitara, with the 1.6 diesel engine was also on the list. Although he really looks quite nice, the correct version, the inside is all still just a little less. If you compare the European brands, it is all just a little less finished and the materials are all just a little less.

To cut a long story eventually Mocha, Qashqai and Kadjar remained. The Mokka is these three the smallest thing you notice particularly in the trunk. However, he has a nice diesel. I also find him in appearance, both inside and out, just a little less beautiful than the QQ or Kadjar. The Kadjar I find again just what nicer than the QQ, though the Kadjar a bit more expensive. I thought it was worth the extra cost, but that's personal. It was at least for me the reason to go for the Kadjar.

The driving characteristics of the Kadjar liked us. We have test driven a 1.2TCe where Renault squeezes into the Kadjar 130 hp. However, this is an engine that revs you must take, at the bottom he feels what death. The 1.5dCi at that time was not available, but that engine I already had extensive experience in the Mégane I have driven. So ultimately risky gamble and ordered the Kadjar 1.5dCi, in the following format:

- Bose implementation
- Pack Technology (including parking sensors all around, emergency brake system, blind spot warning)
- Pack Winter (electric heated seats and windshield)

deliberately chosen not to Leather furnishing. I had it in my previous car and looks very nice, but it's not like us very much.

Prior to the delivery of the Kadjar, I drive a week in a Qashqai. A week ride for me equals more than 1000km, so I've been in quite some time. I will therefore now and then make a comparison between these two cars.
First experiences (950 km)

Normally I would wait a little longer to write a review. However, the number of reviews and testing of the Kadjar 1.5dCi with the motor is low, because most of the tests have been done in sheets with the 1.2TCe or 1.6dCi. Therefore, a little earlier than usual, but I can already tell you enough about :)

A Renault Kadjar with 1469kg curb weight and a 110HP / 260nm diesel, which is a little under-sized? My answer is 'no', is already a thing of course, to your reference. If you come from powerful cars, it will all soon feel slow. Renault, however, the gear ratio a lot better on the car matched than the (2013) 14% addition Megane. It had very long drives, putting in his two moving off from stationary example was not really advisable. In Kadjar can effortlessly. I have a feeling that the bottom of the engine, so below 1500rpm, a lot better on the ball than the Megane. That will undoubtedly come through shorter transmissions. It means that you can drive in particular in the city of tasty economically.

In daily use, you can also just good to come with other traffic, without having too much to turn. Due to good insulation the rest on board is great. Wind noise by noise and stay in the background and the engine barely hear.

Contrary to what a number of reviews, including at AutoWeek, I find it not spongy switch. But there you have it again: the review of AutoWeek was the 1.2TCe and this is a 1.5dCi where probably another gear underneath sitting. I do notice that the box can get some smoother, especially compared with that of the Megane. Perhaps it is more, the car has yet to be run.

As regards driving time being I can also only be positive. The car is a bit bigger, higher and heavier than the Megane and the chassis less sporty than the GT Line chassis what I had, but I think the handling and behavior in curves well. The car is not really hang in the corners and he is also precise driving through the curve. You notice that the chassis which is tuned more for comfort than the GT Line chassis what I had, but that is more suited to the character of the Kadjar. The 19 "tires will no doubt regard detract from that comfort, but given my reference to the GT Line chassis I notice myself not really.

Personally, I think the Kadjar a nice car, just what nicer than the Qashqai. Especially in this color , Rouge Flamme, I think it is a successful design course Kadjar shares much with the Qashqai, but on the outside seem two different cars Although the brotherhood between Kadjar and Qashqai in some respects it clearly:.. the door handles include exactly the same .

Inside the Kadjar also well finished. beautiful materials are used in direct view and connect them correctly. Here and there, notably lower in the car, the materials are a bit hard, but you do not notice much of . the chairs I find truly sublime, better than the sports seats that I had. Granted, if you hard through the corner will give the sports seats from the Megane more lateral support, but for long journeys, I think the Kadjar the seats more comfortable . I've wanted a best time in the Megane for a good seat position, I had that address almost immediately at the Kadjar.

Inside you'll also have plenty of space. We have two small children and also two car seats. Where the oldest in the Megane could get to the front seat with her feet, she can not do that in the Kadjar. Inside so quite a bit larger than the Megane. The trunk is obviously a bit smaller than the trunk of the Megane, but it also was a station. Nevertheless, it is a generous trunk. Double bottom, so things you do have to stand just will not want meander through the trunk can put your beautiful in the double floor. The trunk of the interior is well thought out. In most hatchbacks or drive wheel arches are fairly high in the trunk, so your hand in quite some latitude. In Kadjar (and Qashqai, incidentally) is only a small portion of the wheel well in the trunk back, which makes you win some 25cm to the left. On the right, unfortunately not, there goes the filler neck of the fuel tank, but uses a set of 120cm wide there (just) below.

On this Kadjar is pretty much all there is to. The only thing missing are power seats and automatic dimming mirror. These are things I will not miss personally and I, if it is not standard is also not going to pay for.

The R-Link 2 system is a major advancement over the radio from the Megane, which I found a poor choice. Equipped with (obviously) navigation, DAB, voice control and many other useful things. The system also works just nice, good touches are detected and the system reacts almost instantly. However, you need to go for some options through a number of menus, which perhaps could have been easier. Luckily, for some issues, such as navigation, also possible to do the voice. That is certainly not faster, but you can your hands on the wheel and keep your eyes on the road.

The navigation itself is also nice. Routes are quickly calculated and the display is clear. As always with a new system always searching, but most of the points themselves. Renault also supplies one year live traffic information (in addition to the often lagging TMC information) similar to TomTom Live as though it is not the same. Works very nice I must say.

It is also nice that the R-Link 2 system is equipped with two USB ports. Now you can, of course, but at the same time listen to one source, but you can now have a USB stick in your councils and charge your phone while using the other USB port. No more little charger into the 12V socket that saves clutter in the car. However, the radio has several times given the message that could not be written to the USB flash drive, and the USB stick could also be used. Just get out there and stop in again solves it. No idea whether the drive is in question or on the radio.

Yet some minor reservations about this system. DAB + seems to occasionally lose its connection and the online file-information displays from time to time that he has no connection. In the case of DAB + have you simply silence. Pity, because for example, turns the Qashqai in loss of signal automatically to FM. The radio sound is also good, though you can except balance / fader and high / low not set very much. Not everyone is a fan of the Bose sound, but I can personally to appreciate.

If you look at the inside, you can clearly see that the Qashqai and Kadjar his brothers. Many elements that you encounter in the QQ, is reflected in the Kadjar. Thus, the operation of the climate control exactly the same and the door trim is exactly the same. And there are many more similarities between Qashqai and Kadjar. There is nothing wrong with that, because of the QQ design is just good. Yet Renault has tried to differentiate itself from the QQ. The materials in the Kadjar I find slightly better than the QQ. The Kadjar to personalize some more. So you can put the clock shop you can put in different layouts and colors. Or that the extra cost is worth, it is a consideration that should make every man for himself.

However, a few things I find strange and a little pity. From my Mégane I'm used to the windows with one-touch switches can fully open and closed. The Qashqai, and thus the Kadjar, only the driver's window with one-touch.

Also fold the mirrors nothing automatically when you exit the car. Instead, you should do that yourself using a button on the door. Strange and unfortunate, because my Mégane did have it. Now it's obviously not that much effort to press that button, but it gives a different meaning to the "electric folding mirrors' than I'm used to. Also getting used to shut down the car. In 2013 Mégane was the doors closed, walk away and jumped locked. In Kadjar I have to learn to press the button on the door.

The Kadjar is also good in the security options. Lane departure warning, active emergency braking, parking sensors all around, blind spot indicators, high beam assistant, it's all there. Some of these options I've been 'used' from the week Qashqai. It all works well, though I have active emergency braking not yet been tried, and that is not in the planning. Still, I think the signal of Lane Departure Warning of the Qashqai better. The Qashqai is you are alerted by a beep at you cross the line. In Kadjar one uses this sound actually drive over the line: a deep, rumbling noise. As actually taking too hard a deep, rumbling, pungent hum. A beep would better suffice in my eyes.

The utility of parking sensor around I'm still not completely convinced. Of course, it is very convenient to see and hear what's around your car, but the side I can much better estimate by looking in my mirrors. I also feel that the parking sensors audio signal sounds just a little later than I'm used to. On time otherwise.

I can recommend anyone, moreover to the Full LED lighting. What is a tray of light down there! I thought with Xenon already have with a lot of light, but LED goes one step further, without disturbing for fellow road users. It can also be further combined with automatic high beam, which can actually do to put back every time to. Unfortunately loves Full LED is that you're stuck with the Bose edition.
Additional first experiences (1,900 km)

Another small week and almost 1000km further. This week I got to know the car better and my experiences I want to share with you.

The engine now has 1900km on down and is beyond the limit of 1500km to be held in the textbook to drive. Yet I have not really felt the urge to draw further than 2500rpm. The engine is below eagerly enough, even though he climbs with ease at higher revs. However, I hope that consumption is still better. I have, to the last refueling, 105 liters of diesel burned about 1767km, or 1 in 16.82 (5,94l / 100km). That strikes me a bit disappointing. Of course you're on the go with over 1450kg and working profile of the car to you. Yesterday and today also the wind works against but I hope that this is what improves. Especially because the fuel tank is about 5 liters less than the Megane.

Another downside I find the key. You get 2 course, which (in my case at least) one has a beautiful white cover. That's something other than black. The disadvantage is that you can not do on your keychain both cards. I think there is a possibility to create a string, as you sometimes see on a phone, but if I find it so nice now to do the key to such a string ... Biggest drawback is that I still see happen once I go without a key from the front door off :)

Meanwhile, also had some more chances to play with the high beam assistant. That actually works very well. The car switches the high beam faster than I could respond. The disadvantage of the system, I think, however, that you need to activate after the start time and time again through the stalk to the left of the steering wheel (again) to put in the high beam position.

I do have to come back to what I wrote earlier about switching between DAB + and FM. To do this, the radio certainly if the DAB signal is lost, but then the station in question, of course, are available on FM in the current location. That was the last time when I found that he did not switch, so not the case. What I have not yet found is speed dependent volume. I found just such a handy feature, so you do not have to turn your radio up and down.

I also welcome that the blind does not return to a time when you release it by accident. It sounds like a futuliteit but the Megane is that thing jumped regular loose while driving, as there once was too much in the trunk. That happened then with such a blow that you the first few times rigidly behind the wheel.

Oh and of course the cup holders! For many, perhaps just thing like the aforementioned blind. But if you're a Mégane comes and you have to have it so with one cup holder, where high cup / can not fit because he a downright alpha place is, then you're happy with two cupholders where you least decent anything can put.

Meanwhile let winter tires. The weather is definitely that matter have not been to and it would be better to delay the tire change. However, if the weather suddenly turns it wants everyone suddenly winter. In my case there are Wintrac Extreme S come down. I notice not really a difference with summer tires, but I must thereby be noted that neither I nor the summer tires winter tires all really have tried. For private riders of Kadjar however, the tires have a considerable cost, especially for the Bose edition with standard 19 ": a winter band takes you quickly € 275 - € 300 per band!

Also notable and enjoyable I think the rest of the BT car kit. in my Méganes you had from time to time, however some problems with road noise when the driver of the line had. Just call the other half while on the highway driving at 126km / h and you hardly hear them in the car is. Yes, it sounds a little 'further away' to describe it, but road noise or other noises you hardly know.
Another couple of thousand kilometers ... (6432 km)

... so time for an update!

According to the booklet, the engine should now be fully repaid. Or, as it brings Renault, the full capacity should be available now. That may be, I do not notice the difference. The only thing I feel is a smooth, eager engine that has little trouble with a car of this size.

A few weeks ago I discovered the lovely lady in the computer. Do not worry, if desired, you can also make a stop in male;). I'm talking of course about the voice recognition. It works amazingly well. You do not bother to do more to fully type out an address if you want to go somewhere. You tell the full address just to Hilda and Hilda understands it correctly in most cases. Of course Hilda can immediately come up with a route.

Speaking of trails. Normally, there do calculate the most efficient route. If files are there but sometimes took a strange decision. Take the route Nijmegen Eindhoven. You then have two options: full on the A50 or A50-A59-A2. On the A50, it is often the fastest, but the striker wants the other route are sometimes quieter. Yet it strikes me that he regularly routes partially enter through while this is not always faster.

Incidentally, the connection to the live traffic information is lost even regularly. I go there once contact on record with the dealer for the original TomTom Live services I had been here a long time not so troubling.

During one of my many trips I have made acquaintance with active emergency braking. In this case sounds a loud alarm and is indicated on the dashboard something red. What I can not tell you exactly, I was too busy to come to a standstill in time. That is, moreover succeeded, though I do not know what proportion of AEB was here.

What I also just noticed is that the car slightly gas passes when the clutch late. That sounds like nonsense, but is actually quite easy with and unpark! Since the tight turning circle helps also good at.

Well, I think the light sensor sometimes makes strange choices. On a crystal clear day he throws on the lighting. There is nothing wrong with that, but he then immediately sets the cockpit screen and navigation screen in night mode. I would be nice dimmed, so you can see in this case, no ball more.

The Kadjar is in diesel version in any case, also equipped with an ECO mode. Curious as I am I have one tank drove in ECO mode. It will undoubtedly have an impact on consumption (of which more later), but it definitely has an effect on the engine tuning. You have felt less power. That's in town or on country roads are not such a big problem, but if you want to insert on the highway you really brand. And also at overtaking you notice that your ability is short, because you come really shortage at that time. Result: you're going to extend further into the speed to still get up to speed and that is precisely not again ECO. Anyway you can be temporarily bypass the ECO mode by the pedal by the 'click' at full throttle by pressing.

However, it strikes me also that the engine tuned much poorer condition and it shows mostly go by. The engine stalls much faster and also when starting your brand.

Again, ECO mode will however have an effect on consumption but let him rather stand out.

Talk about consumption. I think the potential to drive economically sure but it depends on many factors. Lately, quite a lot of hard blown and that you really brand consumption. The first few times I came fueling a consumption of 1 in 16.5 (6,06l / 100km). The meter in the car always gave about 5.5 à 5,6l / 100km.

The tank ECO mode I came to 1 in 17.5 (5,7L / 100km). So it seems that the ECO mode does have effect. However, the last refueling I arrived at 1 in 18.7 (5,34l / 100km) and that was without ECO mode.

Of course driving style does too much. Personally, I love spending to raise quite solid, although I did not need to give full throttle with the Kadjar. My speed is usually about 6km / h above the maximum permitted speed on the counter. At 130km / h is 2 to 4km / h. Anticipation I make a sport and I have therefore usually 5 full stars for the Eco Driving screen.

For those who are interested: my Driving ECO score is so far every time between 70 and 77.

In short, the potential to save fuel there is but anything is heavier (headwind, which drive firmer) considers that immediately brisk in consumption. However, you should also remember that you're on the go with a fairly large car with a curb weight of 1455km.
10,000 more than passing (14,000 km)

As promised, I will update this review with some regularity, so after yet another 8000km extra to have driven it is about time.

As you would expect from a new modern car, everything works basically complete properly. I've been back interim first time to the dealer for some minor points. So it occurred to me that in cold weather (especially below 0) rear suspension which would crack when taking short thresholds. They have re-greased all rubbers and since then it has not occurred.

During that one time it snowed this winter I also got the message that the Active brake was off. The dealer was able to tell me that you do this to include snow precaution because the system is not a good measurement can do through the snow. The system on show could cause dangerous situations, such as hitting a false alarm or just hit no alarm. One good thing, though'm watching you as odd if you notice for the first time see.

In addition, the navigation makes it sometimes drop some stitches. Anyways I think he sometimes very late with a customized itinerary comes to backup. That can be because the system in first wants to wait for the situation. After a file is only about 80km can be by the time you're there already solved. The routes that he gives his general or again a bit faster so in that respect no problem.

But why the system I want to send off the exit every morning on the A15 me after 100m provincial road to want to run and the A15 want to send again is beyond me ... Now I'm someone who is happy not blind z ' n navigation trusts. For example, I will first see if there is a ferry for me the water ride and a subway tunnel I will not soon drive into. Nevertheless, it is messy.

Motor there is no cloud in the sky. The tray might not turn as tight as in the Megane, but it can be operated without a murmur. And since I switched from my employer and employment has changed, consumption is also quite a bit for the better. With smooth driving (and quiet again!) Is 1 to 20 certainly pick without having too much trouble to have to do that. But as I shall also previously gave all the Kadjar also like an extra sip up as it is heavier.

Average consumption is about 14000km 5,91l / 100km (1 in 16.92). Since I'm in my new place (early February) and thus a different route driving the consumption 5,55l / 100 (1 in 18).
Update R-Link 2 and finally my tow bar (17,000 km)

What I have not mentioned yet in this review according to me is that I have a trailer hitch with leased. At the time of the car delivery were however problems with that (in my opinion with the harness) so the dealer could not assemble these from Renault.

Last week, the tow bar is fitted anyway. That was unfortunately not the dealer has played set during installation without a fight because one way or another to lose the key. How, lost, or perhaps taken into account (whether or not by accident) is not clear. Naturally, the spare key is directly reprogrammed so that the lost key can not be used. Also, there is to buy a new key. But sloppy I find it ...

In addition, an update is also true for the R-Link 2 system. Since he still had it, I also right away's put on at the dealership. The update will include newer maps. I deliberately say later, because the map data still dates from December 2014 and is therefore 15 months. That's strange, because the map data is supplied by TomTom and they meet quarterly with a new card.

The update makes the parking sensors also more sensitive: they start earlier beeping. In previous software, the parking sensors would sometimes let squeak-free so you immediately got the continuous ringing in some cases. That is (significantly) improved and they have immediately another sound done.

In addition to a different beep for the parking sensors it is also possible in the new version in order to adjust the volume of the turn signals. I think it is personal not a very interesting settings but know Kadjar riders who want to turn up the volume of the turn signal sound.

In addition, the system has also become a bit more responsive. I found it to respond quickly, but it all seems even load faster, especially if the car just turned on.

Where your mind is to keep you lost after the update your favorites and address book (in navigation). I had best get a hefty list of addresses that you also happen in the car must enter when you have looked up an address. As far as I can discover it is not possible to make a backup of your address book. A missed opportunity in my opinion.

Another missed opportunity is that you can not allow POI (or POI) add to the navigation system. In my previous car I had always the stations of DKV and when I went on vacation all campsites in Europe added as POI. That is now therefore no longer possible.

Further strikes me that Traction is not off. Now I'm not 100% sure if that was possible in the previous version of the software, but the instructions of the R-Link 2 describes the option in any case. Now you normally traction just want to leave, but there are certainly situations where I'd just want to switch off. One of the situations, for example if you accidentally come to stand still uphill with a trailer. In such situations, it may be necessary to drive away with slipping bands, once on (low) speed to allow regain grip the tires. You do that than to protect the wheels: a set of tires is after all what to substitute cheaper and easier than a coupling set.