Renault Kiger

Expert Review by Maxabout

Introduction

In the Indian market, the compact-SUV sector has grown significantly and has become one of the most popular segments. In February 2021, Renault introduced the all-new compact SUV, the Renault Kiger, to the market. The SUV is made in India and shipped to other countries as well. It is positioned beneath the Duster in India's sub-4-metre crossover SUV market. The Renault Kiger's main attractions have been its very competitive cost, spacious cabin, and eye-catching appearance. Let’s discuss all the details of this SUV and find out whether it’s worth buying or not.

Renault Kiger Design and Style

The CMF-A+ platform, which also serves as the substructure for the Nissan Magnite, forms the basis for the Kiger. However, it is a wholly distinct car in terms of style. Starting with the front fascia, the Kiger gets a front LED headlight arrangement with three beam pods, two for low beams and one for high beams. On the top of the headlight cluster, there are LED DRLs, and within these is the turn indicator casing, which houses a halogen lamp. The SUV's front bumper is sporty, and there is also a lip spoiler to add to the vehicle's sportiness. There's also a lot of chrome on the grille and a giant Renault emblem in the centre.

Turning to the side profile, the multi-spoke dual-tone alloy wheel is the first element that catches your eye. The RXZ badging is also seen on either side of the front fender, which is finished in chrome. When it comes to the rear, the C-shaped tail light modules are what give the Kiger a dynamic appearance. The taillight seems to have been smoked due to the presence of black materials inside it. Aside from that, the "KIGER" insignia is right in the centre, alongside the Renault logo. As far as the body dimensions go, the car is 3991mm in overall length, 1750mm in overall width, and 1605mm in overall height, and the wheelbase is 2500mm. It gets 205mm of ground clearance and the fuel tank capacity is 40 litres.

Renault Kiger Engine and Gearbox

Renault has offered the 2023 Kiger SUV with two powertrain options. The first one is a naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre, 999cc, 3-cylinder, petrol engine that produces 72 HP at 6250 rpm and 96 Nm at 3500 rpm when coupled to a 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT. The other one is a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol, 999cc, 3-cylinder engine that churns out different torque figures with a different transmission. It generates 100 HP at 5000 rpm and 160 Nm at 2800–3600 rpm when mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, whereas it generates 152 Nm at 2200–4400 rpm when combined with a five-speed X-TRONIC CVT.

Renault Kiger Interior, Instrument Cluster & Boot Space

On the inside, the cabin is spacious enough and the dashboard is made of good quality plastic. However, the soft-touch material is not used anywhere. The car's steering wheel has a strong grip and a small area of leather on top. The steering wheel-mounted controls are simple to use. The left side controls the infotainment system, while the right side navigates the instrument cluster.

When it comes to seating, only the driver's side has a seat height adjustment. Both front seats have adequate padding and robust side bolsters to keep the passengers in position while navigating the twisties. The back seats are likewise comfy. However, there is no under-thigh support. In terms of head and legroom, there is enough room. The Kiger easily accommodates five tall people. The floor is also flat, so the person sitting in the middle will be cosy.

In addition, AC vents and a 12-volt charging socket are also offered for second-row passengers. The Kiger sports a 7-inch digital instrument cluster that looks fantastic. The UI of the cluster varies depending on the driving modes selected. It glows green in Eco mode, blue in Normal mode, and red in Sport mode. In terms of boot space, the manufacturer has offered the SUV with ample storage space of 405-litres.

Renault Kiger Brakes, Suspension & Tyres

As for the braking, the braking duties are handled by disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. At the front, the suspension is assigned to the MacPherson strut with a lower transverse link, and at the rear, it is assigned to twist-beam suspension with a coil spring. The car rides on 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, and these are clothed in CEAT Securedrive 195/60 tyres.

Renault Kiger Key Features

Renault has introduced the Kiger with plenty of features, including tri-octa LED pure vision headlamps, LED DRLs day & night, 20.32 cm display link floating touchscreen, multi-sense driving modes & rotary command on the centre console, wireless smartphone replication, 3D sound by ARKAMYS (4 speakers + 4 tweeters), PM2.5 clean air filter, auto AC, smart access card, 14.9-litre glove boxes, multi-skin 17.78 cm reconfigurable TFT cluster, interior ambient illumination with control switch, power-folding ORVMs, rear wiper and washer to name a few. Speaking of passenger safety, the car comes loaded with 4 airbags (driver, passenger, and 2 side airbags), ABS, EBD, rearview camera, front parking sensor, speed-sensing door lock, ISOFIX, and so on.

Renault Kiger Top Speed, Acceleration & Mileage

2023 Kiger accelerates from 0-100 kmph in 10.2 seconds and can offer a top speed of 155+ kmph. As claimed by Renault, the SUV can offer a decent mileage of 19.9 kmpl. However, it can vary in the city traffic or the highways.

Renault Kiger Variants & Colour Options

2023 Renault Kiger is available in a total of five variants called RXE, RXL, RXT, RXT (O) and RXZ. You can choose any from these five vibrant colours named Radiant Red, Caspian Blue, Moonlight Silver, Ice Cool White and Mahogany Brown. These colours are single tone and dual-tone depending on the variant.

Ex-showroom Price & On-Road Price

As far as pricing is concerned, the new Renault Kiger compact SUV is currently available at an ex-showroom price of 5.99 lakh for the RXE 1.0L ENERGY MT variant while the ex-showroom price for the top-end RXZ X-TRONIC (CVT) 1.0L TURBO DUAL TONE variant is Rs 10.62 lakh. Understanding the distinction between ex-showroom and on-road pricing, the ex-showroom price of an automobile is the sticker price that excludes the costs of road tax, insurance, and registration. The on-road pricing, on the other hand, covers the above-stated charges as well as the prices of Insurance, RC, one-time road tax, extended warranty, and any car accessories. It is worth noting that in our country, on-road price varies widely from state to state.

Renault Kiger Competitors

In the Indian car market, 2023 Renault Kiger competes with the likes of Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Maruti Vitara Brezza.

Verdict - Should You Buy Renault Kiger or not?

However, the new Renault Kiger is not without flaws and the absence of a sunroof, soft-touch materials and not up to the mark in engine refinement were some shortcomings. But if you're searching for a compact SUV that's both practical and affordable, it should be at the top of your list. Its reasonable price allows consumers who buy hatchbacks to contemplate upgrading to a much larger vehicle without breaking the bank.