【FOCUS IT.]A new car that adds even more depth to the possibilities for fun: the Renault Grand Kangoo, now a 7-seater, presents an evolved worldview.

When you think of Renault’s “Kangoo,” you think of a car with French-inspired design and impressive cargo capacity. Until now, it was a five-seater, but this spring saw the launch of the seven-seater “Grand Kangoo.” This adds even more depth to its already high potential as a versatile vehicle. So, the Fuinam editorial team snuck into the recent unveiling event, “Appartement Renault GRAND KANGOO,” to get an early look at the Grand Kangoo. We went to experience firsthand the appeal of this car, which exudes an overwhelming presence as a tool to support your hobbies, work, and daily life.

Photo_Fumihiko Ikemoto
Text_TSUJI
Edit_Yosuke Ishii

The "Grand Kangoo" offers plenty of space and features.

Meet the all-new “Grand Kangoo.” While based on the existing 5-seater model, the wheelbase has been extended by 390 mm and the overall length by 420 mm to create a 7-seater. Its most notable feature is the expanded rear space, which not only makes it ideal for group outings but also allows for greater cargo capacity. The beige color, inspired by the Sahara Desert, further enhances its rugged, utilitarian appearance, stirring a sense of adventure.

In addition to the driver's and front passenger's seats, the vehicle features 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 configurations—a key feature of the "Grand Kangoo." It is said that there are as many as 243 possible arrangements while maintaining the vehicle's drivability.

Luggage capacity is 500 liters with seven passengers, 1,340 liters with five passengers, and a whopping 3,050 liters with just two passengers.

No more worrying about not having enough room for your gear on camping trips with friends. Simply remove the middle row of seats to load a long surfboard or several bicycles, or take out all the seats to enjoy a luxurious overnight stay in the car. Just imagining all the ways you can use it is enough to put you in a good mood.

This is a storage box located under the second-row seats. You can really feel the "Kangoo" DNA in the way these convenient features are thoughtfully placed throughout the vehicle. As for this box, it’s entirely up to you what you use it for.

The sliding door on the side is 830 mm wide—180 mm wider than that of the previous-generation Kangoo—making it easier to get in and out of the vehicle and load and unload cargo, which is another appealing feature. When you actually get inside, you’ll find the experience truly stress-free, and you’ll realize just how much the wide-opening door enhances the vehicle’s practicality.

Here’s what the view is like from the third row. The “Grand Kangoo” features a “theater-style” layout, with the floor rising in steps from the first to the third row. It’s designed to ensure everyone on board has a clear view, and you can tell that a lot of thought has gone into making the most of the time spent on the road.

As you can see, the iconic double rear doors of the “Kangoo” are still very much in evidence. The hinged doors, which open and close effortlessly even in tight spaces, are one of the details that have earned praise from many fans. It is this accumulation of practical features that makes this car truly a "workhorse."

The three distinct styles offered by the "Grand Kangoo."

We’ve covered the features of the all-new “Grand Kangoo,” but you’re probably wondering how to make the most of its cargo area. At the event, Renault showcased its unique vision by highlighting the spacious luggage compartment—a space designed to spark the imagination for all kinds of fun activities.

The styling was handled by a popular series on FuinamThe French-born Kangoo assists people in their hobbies and lifestyles."Interior stylist Shinya Endo, who has also appeared on the show. When asked for his impressions after actually loading the vehicle, he replied:

"The box-like shape makes it easy to arrange, and because it has plenty of depth, there's ample space to comfortably store items like the ladders I use for work. Also, the design makes it easy to stack tall shelves, so I wanted to highlight that feature."

With that in mind, we’ll now delve deeper into the appeal of the “Grand Kangoo,” drawing on Mr. Endo’s unique perspective.

Enjoy a leisurely camping trip with family and friends.

First up is this model, designed for camping with five people. All the third-row seats have been removed to create 1,340 liters of cargo space. In the past, the space would have been crammed full with coolers, tents, sleeping bags, and all sorts of small gear. But as you can see, even with all that gear packed in, there’s still plenty of room to spare. You certainly won’t have to keep your backpack on your lap. This way, you can relax and enjoy the drive to the campsite.

A stylish, French-style “mobile” room.

When you remove all the seats in the second and third rows, a spacious area opens up, creating a relaxing environment. Taking advantage of this, we’ve designed a space inspired by a Parisian apartment—a stylish, “mobile” living space in the French style.

"The single-seater sofa is from a French brand called 'Ligne Roset.' I built the entire styling around it. The idea is that this is what you’d get if someone living in Paris just filled the space with everything they love (laughs). The decorative panel on the back door, depicting the Parisian scenery visible from the window, is adorable, and by deliberately pairing it with vintage furniture, I’ve also added a touch of sophistication. There’s even a small shelf along the wall, and I put some thought into how to use that, too.”

When putting together the styling, Endo says the box-shaped structure made the process “really easy.” “Since the walls don’t slope inward, there’s no wasted space between the shelves and the wall, which made installation a breeze,” she attests. Noticing details like that is something only an interior stylist would do.

Endo also mentions the wide sliding doors. “It made getting in and out a breeze, and loading and unloading luggage was incredibly easy. I was even able to fit this sofa through the side door. Just being able to do that really boosted my efficiency,” he says. The ability to load large items in a single trip is another major advantage of the Grand Kangoo.

Depth and height that make your daily work run smoothly.

One of the Kangoo’s appeals is that it’s not just for fun—it’s also perfect for work. Here, just as Mr. Endo does every day, we’ll load it up with plenty of furniture to create a stylish space.

"It showcases a cargo area deep enough to easily accommodate a ladder nearly two meters long. Even items like easels and plants—which usually require headroom to load—slide right in, really highlighting the 'Grand Kangoo’s' true capabilities. Here, too, the wide sliding doors made the process a breeze."

The fact that all the seats in the left-hand column have been left in place is another reason why the space feels so spacious. “It’s amazing that it can seat four people and still fit all this furniture. This will make working here so much easier,” he says emphatically.

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In one corner of the venue, there were also displays showcasing interior design ideas using leftover seats. This was a unique concept developed by Renault and Mr. Endo, who suggested putting those unused seats to good use rather than just leaving them in the corner of a garage.

The design involves placing a base handcrafted by a woodworker and mounting the “Grand Kangoo” seat on top of it. “We went through a lot of trial and error to ensure the seat fit perfectly onto the base,” said Endo. “It’s incredibly stable, and the contrast between the industrial-style seat and the softness of the wood that blends into the interior is really interesting.” "It’s incredibly stable, and the contrast between the industrial-style seat and the warmth of the wood that blends into the interior is really interesting," says Endo. The response from visitors has been very positive, and there is good reason to expect this product to be commercialized.

With its impressive spaciousness and comprehensive features, the "Grand Kangoo" has been refined to be an even more reliable tool for everyday life. Of course, it delivers the same outstanding driving performance as before. In addition to its core safety and reliability, it’s equipped with advanced driver and parking assistance systems, so there’s no doubt that driving will be even more enjoyable.

The highly anticipated launch is set to begin on Thursday, February 5, 2026. To provide a deeper look into this car’s appeal, Fuinam plans to publish a new article soon. Please stay tuned for further updates.