The French-born Kangoo assists people with their hobbies and lifestyle.
Vol.19 / Ryuichi Katsuyama (Freelance PR)

It’s dawn, and the sky is just beginning to lighten. Ryuichi Katsuyama, a freelance PR professional, is loading his car with a pile of camping gear and bicycles.

This time, Mr. Katsuyama will be driving the “Grand Kangoo,” which was just released this past February. By extending the wheelbase by 390 mm and the overall length by 420 mm from the previous five-seater model, it now accommodates a full seven passengers, adding even more depth to the possibilities for adventure.

In addition to the front driver’s and passenger’s seats, there are three seats in the second row and two seats in the third row. All seats in the second and third rows can be folded, flipped up, or removed, allowing for flexible seating arrangements—a key feature of the vehicle. There are reportedly 1,024 possible configurations, with 243 of them available even while the vehicle is in a drivable state.

“I used to think of the ”Kangoo' as just a 'car for hauling stuff,' but it’s really gone beyond that. It makes you think, 'It can carry even more?!' My first impression was just how incredibly spacious it is."

By the way, the sliding side doors are another subtle touch unique to the "Grand Kangoo." They are designed to be 830 mm wide—180 mm wider than the standard "Kangoo."

"I really loved how wide the sliding door opens—it makes it so easy to load luggage from the side! It also makes getting in and out a breeze."

The luggage capacity is generous: 500 liters with all seven seats in place, 1,340 liters with five seats, and up to 3,050 liters with just two seats. For this trip, Mr. Katsuyama removed all the seats in the second and third rows to maximize the space. In addition to a wealth of camping gear—including tents, tarps, coolers, and storage boxes—he’s loaded up three bicycles. With all this gear packed in, he’s heading out for a solo camping trip.

"It's amazing that it can hold three bikes! I was worried the handlebars might get in the way and make it hard to load them, but that wasn't the case at all—there was plenty of room. The height, width, and depth are all perfect."

Once all my gear was loaded, I set off for the campground right away. This time, I plan to enjoy some solo camping and cycling.

"If I bring a lot of gear, this is going to be a luxurious solo camping trip. I’m looking forward to taking my time and enjoying the moment!"