Renault has made the new Kiger interesting by sticking to the value for money with prices ranging between Rs 5.45 lakhs and Rs 9.55 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi) despite options like Magnate (Nissan) & Sonet (Kia) available.
Pros in favor of Renault Kiger
- Quirky design with loud colors like red and blue.
- Super spacious cabin making it a genuine family car.
- Largest 405-litre boot in its class.
- Well-tuned suspension to tackle bad road conditions.
- Two automatic options to address varying budgets.
Cons in favor of Renault Kiger
- Interior design is drab and livelier colours need to be used
- Feel good features are offered only in the top RxZ variants.
- Cabin insulation needs to be upgraded
Stand Out Features
- 7” Digital Driver’s Display
- 3 Drive Modes:- Eco, Normal and Sport
- Wireless Android Auto / Apple Car Play
Design
- Despite comparisons with the Kwid, the Kiger has a family look with a large Renault logo and a chrome-studded grille that connects the daytime running lamps (DRLs). The DRLs are offered as standard, along with mirror-mounted turn indicators and LED tail lamps, with16-inch tyres as standard. Also, the Caspian Blue or the Moonlight Silver shade, with a dual-tone paint scheme (contrast black roof) can be opted for, right from the base variants. It’s only in the top-spec RxZ variant that a two-tone theme is offered ,for the other colours
- In the RxZ variant, the Kiger also gets triple-LED headlamps and 16-inch machine-finished alloy wheels. The Kiger also has a 205mm of ground clearance, a faux skid plate at the rear, and functional roof rails with load capacity up to 50kg. Fine nuances include the shark fin antenna, the dual spoiler, the neat integration of the rear washer and the parking camera carefully placed in the Renault lozenge.
- However, fog lamps are not available even in the fully loaded variants and the ‘cladding’ on the doors is just a black sticker.
- Also, one can add the ‘SUV’ accessory pack for actual cladding along the side and to the tailgate for a more robust look.
Interior
- Functional and practical with easier access, and irrespective of where you choose to sit, it is like walking into a cabin.
- The cabin is similar to the one in Renault Triber with a mix of black and dull grey. Some lighter colours like beige would have been better. The hard and scratchy plastics are sturdy but are not premium.
- From the driver’s seat, one can see the nose of the car from the lowest position which is of great help when one is just getting used to driving. Driver’s seat-height adjust is offered in the top two trims.
- Frontal and sideward visibility is great too, however not so for the rearview. With just a tiny window and raised boot, reversing is not easy and one needs to rely on the parking camera.
- Finding the seat belt buckle is a challenge and the foot-well is also cramped. The power window switches are also, too close to the right arm.
- The Kiger has spacious cabin space both in the front and rear seats with no dearth of width. At the rear, a six-footer will have knee-room to spare sitting behind another. Feet room, headroom, and under-thigh support are sufficient too. However, the view out of the rear window with the high window line, small window, and the black color theme constricts the sense of space.
- The Kiger Renault has eked out every ounce of space from a small vehicle. The Kiger’s in-cabin storage leads the class at 29.1 liters. There is enough space in the two glove compartments, the shelf under the touch screen, and the bottle holders in the door. The large storage compartment under the front armrest has nearly 7 liters of space. The ‘central armrest organizer’ accessory is a must since it enables one to have a usable cup holder inside the cabin.
- The helpful ‘boot organizer’ accessory available adds a false floor (that sits in line with the seats when they’re folded) and modular compartments underneath. 60:40 split seats are available in the top two variants for added versatility.
Technology
- The Kiger’s list is focused clearly on features used on a daily basis .Hence , an electric sunroof, cruise control, ventilated seats and connected car technology are not included. However, what is offered at the price point, is praise worthy.
- The floating 8-inch touch-screen is available in the top two variants with wireless. Also, Android Auto and Apple Car Play is offered only on the RxZ. A higher resolution screen and a snappier interface were expected. But the screen does function satisfactorily. The 8-speaker Arkamys audio system feels adequate but not extraordinary. Audio and call controls, steering-mounted, are available from the RxT variant onwards.
- The RxZ variant has an exclusive 7-inch display in the instrument cluster. Graphics are crisp, transitions are effortless and the font is jazzy with changing skins and offers helpful widgets based on the drive modes. For example, the Eco mode display marks out the ideal rpm range to up-shift whereas the Sport display has a bar graph for horsepower and torque (besides an unwanted G meter).
- The top-spec Kiger has a PM 2.5 cabin filter, automatic climate control, rear AC vents, and a chilled glove box. One can add front parking sensors, a wireless charger, puddle lamps, trunk light and an air purifier from the accessory catalogue.
Drive
- Renault is offering two petrol engines with the Kiger– a 72PS 1.0-litre naturally aspirated motor, and a 100PS 1.0-litre turbocharged engine. A 5-speed manual transmission is offered as standard. For an automatic, the non-turbo engine is offered with an AMT and the turbo engine is paired with a CVT, 1.0 Turbo MT
- The Kiger with a three-cylinder engine feels vibrant at startup and idle with vibrations felt on the door pads, floorboard, and pedals. The vibrations reduce as the drive picks up, but are never entirely gone. The noise insulation on the Kiger could’ve been better with the engine inside the cabin being heard practically all the time.
- The turbocharged engine is recommended over the non-turbo to tackle highway road trip duties as well as choked city commutes. It’s set up more for daily use than for fun without feeling a shortage of neither power nor feeling lag that would make driving taxing. It can maintain triple-digit speeds on highways comfortably too. The clutch and the gear action are not tiring, even in chock-a-block city traffic. However, if budget isn’t a constraint, upgrading to the CVT, is recommended for an effortless drive within the city.
- The eco mode smoothes out the throttle, making the Kiger even easier to drive. The Sport mode makes the Kiger excited and adds some weight to the steering wheel.
Ride and Handling
- The Kiger is alarmingly comfortable tackling bad roads, potholes, level changes and rough surfaces. There’s no thudding or thwacking from the suspension either, except when encountering a speed breaker. The steering also makes parking and u-turns easy. Also, the Kiger delivers its rated performance, when pushed hard.
Safety
- Renault is offering dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and reverse parking sensors as standard across variants with only the driver getting a pre-tensioner seatbelt. In the top two variants the Kiger is equipped with side airbags and ISOFIX child seat mounts. Renault does not offer hill assist, vehicles stability control and tyre pressure monitoring system for the Kiger—which the Nissan Magnite, offers.
Verdict
- A better quality interior that matches the funky exterior would have been great. Similarly, all-important sunroof and cruise control are found wanting in the Kiger. However, the price point seems adequate for the features offered
- The Kiger entices one with its unique styling, for sure. The cabin scores in offering more than ample space for the family, and the 405-liter boot is ample enough to digest luggage. The ride quality too makes traveling on bad roads enjoyable.
- The Kiger’s strength clearly lies in its tempting price tag. However, Renault pushes you towards the top two variants, where the real value is. However, Kiger’s charm is of a spacious and comfortable SUV, on a budget.