KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Renault Kwid is the cheapest car in India to offer an automatic gearbox, priced at Rs 5.54 lakh.
- The Maruti Celerio CNG is India's most fuel-efficient car, with an average of 34.43 km/kg.
- Both cars are considered ideal for city driving and are preferred by first-time buyers.
Looking for the most affordable cars that can accommodate your small family and are a step above the Alto 800? The Maruti Celerio and Renault Kwid are excellent options. Both are surprisingly affordable without sacrificing many essential features. If you're a first-time car buyer, these vehicles can make your experience great and pleasantly surprise you with their many positives. Today, Im going to compare these two cars and find which one provides better value for your money.
So, let's start, meanwhile do join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.
Also Read: Maruti Celerio Variants Explained: Prices And Features
Maruti Celerio VS Renault Kwid: Price
The Celerio base variant, called the 'Dream Edition,' costs Rs 4.99 lakh (ex-showroom) and includes features such as rear parking sensors, wheel covers, 2 airbags, and ABS. The Renault Kwid base variant starts at Rs 4.69 lakh, which is Rs 30,000 cheaper than the Celerio, and it includes features like dual airbags, a digital instrument cluster, electric power steering, and an onboard trip computer. So, people looking for a first-hand vehicle with a budget of Rs 5 lakh should definitely check out these variants.
Now let's check all the varaints of these small hatchbacks:-
Maruti Celerio
- Dream Edition - Rs 4.99 lakh
- LXi - Rs 5.37 lakh
- VXi - Rs 5.83 lakh
- VXi CNG - Rs 6.74 lakh
- VXi AGS - Rs 6.29 lakh
- ZXi - Rs 6.12 lakh
- ZXi AGS - Rs 6.57 lakh
- ZXi Plus - Rs 6.59 lakh
- ZXi Plus AGS - Rs 7.04 lakh
Renault Kwid
- RXE - Rs 4.69 lakh
- RXL (O) - Rs 4.99 lakh
- RXL (O) AMT - Rs 5.44 lakh
- RXT - Rs 5.50 lakh
- Climber - Rs 5.87 lakh
- RXT AMT - Rs 5.95 lakh
- Climber Dual Tone - Rs 5.99 lakh
- Climber AMT - Rs 6.32 lakh
- Climber AMT Dual Tone - Rs 6.44 lakh
Maruti Celerio vs Renault Kwid: Engine Specifications
In the Celerio, customers can choose between a 1.0L petrol engine or a CNG kit. Both options offer excellent fuel economy, with the Celerio CNG being India's most fuel-efficient car, achieving 34.43 km/kg. As for the Kwid, it also comes with a 1.0L petrol engine. Although Renault doesn't offer any alternative power sources, the Kwid still delivers an impressive fuel economy of 22 kmpl.
| Specifications | Maruti Celerio 1.0 L Petrol | Maruti Celerio CNG | Renault Kwid 1.0 L Petrol |
| Displacement | 998 cc | 998 cc | 999 cc |
| Power | 66.62 Ps | 56.70 Ps | 68 Ps |
| Torque | 89 Nm | 82.1 Nm | 91 Nm |
| Transmission | 5MT / Auto Gear Shift | 5MT | 5 MT / 5-AMT |
| Mileage | 25.4 kmpl / 26.88 kmpl | 34.43 Kmpl | 21.46 kmpl / 22.3 kmpl |
Maruti Celerio vs Renault Kwid: Features
No expectations, no disappointments? Well, this philosophy doesn't apply here, because both cars, in their top trims, offer a lot of features and will make you forget that you're sitting in one of India's cheapest vehicles. Let's start with the features of the Maruti Celerio, and then we'll move on to the Renault Kwid.
Maruti Celerio Features:
- Electrically Foldable ORVM
- Day Night IRVM
- Gear Position Indicator (ASG Only)
- Tilt Steering
- Hill Hold Assist (only in ASG)
- Rear window wiper and washer
- 15 Inch Alloy Wheels (only in MT)
- 7 Inch Infotainment Touchscreen
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Steering mounted voice control
- Driver Seat Height Adjuster
- Engine Push Start With Smart Key
Renault Kwid Features:
- 8-inches touchscreen mediaNAV with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
- Electrically adjustable ORVMs
- Fast USB Charger
- Traffic assistance mode
- Reverse parking camera with guidelines
- Steering-mounted audio controls
- Power windows (All four windows)
- Front and rear 12V power socket
- ABS + EBD with brake assist
- Seat belt with pre-tensioner
- Reverse parking sensors
- Digital drivers display
By comparing the features side by side, it's clear that the winner is the Maruti Celerio. The extra features it offers include an engine push start button, driver seat height adjuster, 15-inch alloy wheels, and a rear window wiper with washer. However, there is a significant difference: all these features are available only in the top-spec ZXi Plus variant, which costs Rs 7.04 lakh, while the Kwid's top model is priced at Rs 6.32 lakh.
Typically, people don't opt for the Celerio's top model because getting it on the road will cost an additional Rs 80,000 to 90,000 (taxes), and spending that much on such a small car may not feel like a smart decision. So, it all depends on the customer - whether they choose to go for the high variant to get these features or opt for a mid-spec model.
Also Read: Hyundai Exter Pros And Cons: A Worthy Upgrade Over Grand i10?
Verdict
Both cars are well-suited to the current traffic conditions in the country and achieve impressive mileage. However, their downsides include small engines, which limit their driving range. On the highway, you might feel the need for a larger vehicle, as both start to vibrate significantly around 90 - 100 km/h. This can reduce confidence, and pushing them hard feels risky.
Additionally, safety is a major issue, as both vehicles received a poor 1-star safety rating in the GNCAP crash test. Ultimately, the decision is yours: whether to choose the Kwid, which is a great compact car for daily errands, or the Celerio, which is slightly more spacious and offers excellent fuel economy.
