KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Renault Kiger: Gets excellent design and classy interiors.
- Responds well to driver inputs in most scenarios.
- Renault Kiger: Check out the detailed pros and cons below.
The Renault Kiger was first unveiled in 2023 in India. It was the first compact SUV in the automaker's India portfolio. The Renault Kiger is also available internationally and comes based on the same platform as the Nissan Magnite. With its visible striking looks, the Kiger also has some best-in-segment features that position it as a worthy option in the respective price range. If this sub-compact SUV is somewhere on your list, you should be aware of all the positives and negatives of this car. Today, we will be covering the pros and cons of the Renault Kiger, so that you can decide whether this car is for you or not. Find out more details below and join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Community to stay versed on the latest automotive news.
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Renault Kiger Pros
Pro 1: Looks Great
The Renault Kiger adorns an upright stance and pairs with great looks on the outside. The Kiger's side curves make it one of the most stylish compact SUVs in its segment. However at once, you will feel like it's a bigger version of Kwid, but it has much more to offer. The Kiger has better ground clearance and muscular cladding. Other design elements of the Kiger include good-looking alloy wheels and styled LED lighting. Apart from this, you get a classy-looking interior. So in terms of looks, this car is not going to disappoint you anyhow.
Pro 2: High Driveability
The mechanicals on the Kiger responds fast to the driver's input, reflecting its higher driveability. This becomes possible with improved gearshifts and a light clutch. The Kiger is compact in terms of dimensions, so you can maneuver on the roads if you have the skills to come out of the busy roads. Also, it will not be an issue to park this car in crowded parking areas as it fits in a small space.
Pro 3: Gets a Turbo Unit
However, the Kiger compact SUV only gets petrol engines which include two options- a 1.0 litre NA and a turbo-powered one. While the turbo petrol unit performs well, things become quite difficult with the 1.0-litre on higher revs. Keeping things simple, I would say that if you want to feel power then go for the turbo version, and if you are going to use this car mainly for commuting purposes then you can consider the NA engine.
Pro 4: Good Variant Distribution
For the Kiger, Renault has done a good job in terms of variant distribution. The sub-compact SUV starts at an aggressive price tag of Rs. 5.99 lakh and goes up to 11.23 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It means a customer who is out in the market to buy a hatchback can have a sub-compact SUV instead and that too at a hatchback's price range.
Pro 5: Turbo Petrol Engine With Manual & CVT Gearbox
The Renault Kiger offers a turbo petrol engine with the convenience of a CVT transmission and for those who love to take control in their hands, it comes with a manual unit as well. The Kiger also offers 3 drive modes with a turbo petrol engine option making it more performance-oriented. The availability of a CVT gearbox in this price segment is quite difficult to see. So, you will not face any lag in the gearshift while revving high on the roads.
Renault Kiger Cons
Con 1: Noisy Engine
As mentioned above, the Renault Kiger is available in two engine options- a 1.0 litre NA and a turbo petrol version. Both these engines become noisy on the higher revs above 90 kmph. Additionally, I must mention that even the turbo unit feels underpowered sometimes on the expressways. So, I would suggest that if you are the one who usually drives at high rpm, this car is going to disappoint you a little bit.
Con 2: Misses Out on Some Standard Safety Features
Despite being a 4-star ANCAP-rated hatchback, the Kiger misses out on some standard safety features such as six airbags (even in the top model) and a 360-degree camera. I was not seeking something upmarket or premium considering the price range, but the car fails to impress with its safety features.
Con 3: Bumpy Suspension
The Kiger is not so good when it comes to suspension. Things remain satisfying until you drive on well-built roads with normal speed breakers but once you enter areas with bad roads, the stock suspension feels bumpy and stiff in most scenarios. So, Kiger is not for you if you drive in remote areas with bad patches frequently.
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Verdict
Considering all the negatives of the Kiger, it still remains a good options in its segment with its best-in-class offerings. With the set of features and comfort it provides, it's a practical options in this price range. However, if you are tight on the budget and 1.0 litre NA is not an impressive thing for you, you can opt for the peppier turbo petrol unit. In a conclusion, I would say that Kiger is a much better and value-for-money option in its segment
