Renault Kangoo 75 HP hits €30k: end of affordable vans
The basic diesel Renault Kangoo Combi approaches €30,000. Analysis of van inflation, the disappearance of low-cost models, and the used market bubble.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Renault Kangoo 75 HP at €30k: The End of the Affordable Van
Who would have thought that a 75-horsepower van would cost nearly €30,000? The basic diesel Renault Kangoo Combi is already approaching this price point, according to Km77.com listings. This is not an isolated case: the segment for "delivery" vans—simple, traditional, and inexpensive models—has suffered such severe inflation that it excludes freelancers, families, and camper converters. Official narratives cite quality and equipment; the numbers reveal record margins.
The Price of Basics: €30,000 for 75 HP
The Kangoo Combi diesel with 75 HP, an engine that barely moves the vehicle on inclines, sells for "almost €30,000," as highlighted in the original thread. For context: ten years ago, a similar new van cost €8,000, and three years ago, new Dacia Dokkers could be found for €10,000–€12,000. That entry-level range disappeared when Renault discontinued the Dokker, reportedly to force customers toward higher-margin products. Consequently, what was once an accessible vehicle for a construction worker or delivery driver has become a near-premium item.
The comparison stings even more: In February 2020, just before lockdown, a new Audi A3 1.6 TDI All-In cost €26,500. Today, that same basic Kangoo costs the same amount. "This is what a BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class cost in the 2000s," adds another participant. Manufacturers have discovered they make more money selling few units at high prices than many at low prices.
Sky-High Used Prices and the Camper Bubble
If new vehicles are prohibitive, used ones should be the alternative. But no: the second-hand van market has also skyrocketed. "Most people thought the hyperinflation coming in 2019 was a joke," they say ironically. Citroën C15s from the 80s-90s, which until recently sold for €850, are now being quoted as "prepper assets." Even the Renault Express 55 HP, a 90s van, is appreciating in value. The camper bubble—driven by the trend of converting vans into campers—has further inflated available stock prices.
Those looking for a modern used van find prices rarely dropping below €15,000 for models aged 5–10 years. "I hope a Chinese brand comes along and eats the market," writes one participant. The low-cost alternative provided by Dacia has vanished from the van landscape. The average user is forced to buy a used car or keep their old C15 running.
Is Under 100 HP Dangerous? The Old Debate
The recurring controversy about minimum power crops up in the thread. One user claims "a car under 100 HP is dangerous for driving" and asks for restrictions on highways. The response is devastating: "With a 55 HP Express, I spent years never going slower than everyone else," "I drove 1,000 km in a 47 HP SEAT 127 with four friends." The reality is that these light vans—with 75 HP and short gearing—are perfectly adequate for their purpose, provided you don't try to race. It is also noted that an electronic remap can increase power to 130 HP without touching the mechanics. The debate over power masks a deeper discomfort: paying €30,000 for 75 HP seems absurd.
New Cars Are Again for Minorities
One of the most lucid analyses in the thread points out that "since the cobi19 crisis, manufacturers have discovered they earn more by selling little and very expensive. The automobile will return to what it was in Spain until the 1960s: an object only for minorities." The other part of the explanation is that electric vehicle development is being financed by combustion engine margins, making the latter more expensive. Thus, a simple vehicle becomes a luxury.
Younger generations, moreover, no longer prioritize cars—they prefer changing iPhones every two years, according to the debate—which reduces pressure on new vehicle demand and allows brands to maintain high prices. But for freelancers, large families, or camping enthusiasts, the equation is broken. "New cars are a damn scam," concludes one participant.
Readers looking for a new van will have to dig deeper into their pockets than ever before. Or resign themselves to the used market—also extremely expensive—or keep a classic like the C15 alive. The conclusion of the thread is stark: "You won't have anything, but you'll be happy." For now, the Kangoo 75 HP at €30,000 symbolizes a market that has said goodbye to the affordable van. Perhaps, as some suggest, "they will finally succeed in ending traffic jams." By ensuring no one can afford a new car.
Related Forum Discussions
Who would have thought that a 75-horsepower van would cost nearly €30,000? The basic diesel Renault Kangoo Combi is already approaching this price point, according to Km77.com listings. This is not an isolated case: the segment for "delivery" vans—simple, traditional, and inexpensive models—has suffered such severe inflation that it excludes freelancers, families, and camper converters. Official narratives cite quality and equipment; the numbers reveal record margins.
The Price of Basics: €30,000 for 75 HP
The Kangoo Combi diesel with 75 HP, an engine that barely moves the vehicle on inclines, sells for "almost €30,000," as highlighted in the original thread. For context: ten years ago, a similar new van cost €8,000, and three years ago, new Dacia Dokkers could be found for €10,000–€12,000. That entry-level range disappeared when Renault discontinued the Dokker, reportedly to force customers toward higher-margin products. Consequently, what was once an accessible vehicle for a construction worker or delivery driver has become a near-premium item.
The comparison stings even more: In February 2020, just before lockdown, a new Audi A3 1.6 TDI All-In cost €26,500. Today, that same basic Kangoo costs the same amount. "This is what a BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class cost in the 2000s," adds another participant. Manufacturers have discovered they make more money selling few units at high prices than many at low prices.
Sky-High Used Prices and the Camper Bubble
If new vehicles are prohibitive, used ones should be the alternative. But no: the second-hand van market has also skyrocketed. "Most people thought the hyperinflation coming in 2019 was a joke," they say ironically. Citroën C15s from the 80s-90s, which until recently sold for €850, are now being quoted as "prepper assets." Even the Renault Express 55 HP, a 90s van, is appreciating in value. The camper bubble—driven by the trend of converting vans into campers—has further inflated available stock prices.
Those looking for a modern used van find prices rarely dropping below €15,000 for models aged 5–10 years. "I hope a Chinese brand comes along and eats the market," writes one participant. The low-cost alternative provided by Dacia has vanished from the van landscape. The average user is forced to buy a used car or keep their old C15 running.
Is Under 100 HP Dangerous? The Old Debate
The recurring controversy about minimum power crops up in the thread. One user claims "a car under 100 HP is dangerous for driving" and asks for restrictions on highways. The response is devastating: "With a 55 HP Express, I spent years never going slower than everyone else," "I drove 1,000 km in a 47 HP SEAT 127 with four friends." The reality is that these light vans—with 75 HP and short gearing—are perfectly adequate for their purpose, provided you don't try to race. It is also noted that an electronic remap can increase power to 130 HP without touching the mechanics. The debate over power masks a deeper discomfort: paying €30,000 for 75 HP seems absurd.
New Cars Are Again for Minorities
One of the most lucid analyses in the thread points out that "since the cobi19 crisis, manufacturers have discovered they earn more by selling little and very expensive. The automobile will return to what it was in Spain until the 1960s: an object only for minorities." The other part of the explanation is that electric vehicle development is being financed by combustion engine margins, making the latter more expensive. Thus, a simple vehicle becomes a luxury.
Younger generations, moreover, no longer prioritize cars—they prefer changing iPhones every two years, according to the debate—which reduces pressure on new vehicle demand and allows brands to maintain high prices. But for freelancers, large families, or camping enthusiasts, the equation is broken. "New cars are a damn scam," concludes one participant.
Readers looking for a new van will have to dig deeper into their pockets than ever before. Or resign themselves to the used market—also extremely expensive—or keep a classic like the C15 alive. The conclusion of the thread is stark: "You won't have anything, but you'll be happy." For now, the Kangoo 75 HP at €30,000 symbolizes a market that has said goodbye to the affordable van. Perhaps, as some suggest, "they will finally succeed in ending traffic jams." By ensuring no one can afford a new car.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (108 replies).
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