Renault Kadjar 2022, the French SUV set for major changes

The Renault Kadjar landed on our market back in 2015. It came to replace its sibling, the Koleos, to compete in one of the most competitive segments that existed at the time and which, even today, remains much the same.

Six years after the first generation went on sale, and after several facelifts, Renault is in the midst of renewing one of its most versatile SUVs, the Kadjar. The second generation of the French SUV is very close to arriving at our dealerships, in a context very similar to the one the first generation faced when it launched. It has the task of standing out in a segment with strong contenders such as the Peugeot 3008, the recently updated Nissan Qashqai and the Seat Ateca.

Major renewal

To do so, the second generation of the Kadjar will be completely renewed, from its exterior and interior design to its range of engines. It is being given a fresh look to carve out a niche in the C-SUV segment.

The new Renault Kadjar 2022 carries the internal project code HHN and will adopt the brand’s new design language, the one seen across the range in models such as the Renault Arkana and the latest update of the Captur. A design characterised by sharper, more angular shapes that give its models greater character.

Thanks to the renderings circulating online based on the new generation, we can see that one of the major changes will be at the front, with a large grille joined to new light clusters with angular shapes, like those of the Captur and the Arkana already mentioned, and large air intakes in the lower part of the new bumper.

The side profile will feature a raised waistline and a C-pillar that makes the floating roof stand out, giving it a rather clean and dynamic look.

The rear will also undergo major changes. Its new light signature in a horizontal layout will run the full width of the rear end, as is already a trend in some models from other brands, such as Seat with the León or Hyundai with the new Kona. It will also feature a new bumper with the lower sections painted black, which gives it a greater visual height.

Highly digitalised environment

The interior will be another area where the generational change is most apparent. As the design director of the French brand, Giles Vidal, has said, the new Kadjar, like the anticipated Megane E-Tech Electric, will feature a large amount of technology equipment thanks to the union between the instrument cluster screen and the infotainment system screen, surrounding the driver with a digitalised environment.

Diesel versions removed from the range

One of the major novelties in its mechanical specification is that the new generation will not offer diesel options, but conventional petrol engines or ones accompanied by mild hybrid systems, such as the TCe version with a 12V hybrid system that will produce 140 CV for the version with a six-speed manual or CVT automatic gearbox and front-wheel drive, or 160 CV with a CVT automatic gearbox only and the option of adding all-wheel drive.

Besides these two mechanical options, the “Large” version of the model can also be chosen, equipped with the 1.2 TCe three-cylinder petrol engine combined with a hybrid system to produce 200 CV in total.

Finally, Renault is also considering fitting an electric motor on the front axle of the latest version mentioned, raising its output to 280 CV and all-wheel drive.

In addition to the long version, Renault will also sell a coupé version for customers seeking a more dynamic and sporty image of the Kadjar. Its arrival is expected around spring 2022, so we will keep you updated on all the news regarding the new generation of the French brand’s SUV.