Renault has just lifted the covers off its Kiger and it is the much-awaited new compact SUV from Renault. The Kiger would open a new segment for Renault in India and will be slotted below the Duster. ALSO READ | BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine India Review: Luxury Meets Comfort
Renault has tasted success with its Triber and with the Kiger also being based on the CMF-A platform, has high levels of localization. What does that mean for you? Well, that means when launching the Kiger would be aggressively priced and perhaps the most affordable sub compact SUV in the market undercutting everything. We will know the prices as and when it is launched in a few months time as for now, here is a quick first impression.
Back to the car itself and the Kiger is surely an attractive SUV while the design is pure Renault with the massive Renault badge plus how the headlamps and the DRLs are different. The LED DLRs are above and the main headlights are below. The side view is crossover-like and that is no bad thing since this lends the Kiger a sportier stance than say its sibling the Nissan Magnite. In size terms, it is below 4m in length but is well proportioned overall. The rearview further reveals what we are saying as the way the roof flows with a sloping finish and the distinctive kink at the rear further makes the car wide plus have a planted stance. The C-shaped tail-lamps in particular are a nice touch. It is overall an attractive car no doubt.
With the interior now revealed, we can now take a look at what the Kiger has to offer here and it is fairly good news. There is surely a youthful vibe to the cabin and the digital instrument cluster stands out along with the simple but effective layout. There is an 8-inch touch screen while it gets all the features you expect like climate control, rearview camera, steering controls, smartphone connectivity plus more. You also get wireless charging. Space seems to be on the ample side as far as its segment is concerned and when compared with some of its rivals. Like the Triber, this platform enables a lot of practical spaces all throughout the cabin while there is also an airy feeling. The boot is 405litres.
Renault is going the petrol way for the Kiger and hence you get 1.0 petrol which starts the range while the standard is a 5-speed manual. Renault also provides an AMT gearbox with this engine and that will make an automatic SUV much more affordable- probably the most affordable automatic SUV at launch too. Else upwards in the range, the Kiger will get a 1.0 turbo petrol unit and that will get a CVT automatic option along with a 5-speed manual. It has a ground clearance of 205mm. We expect it to be launched shortly and as said earlier the prices are expected to be very aggressive given the high localization levels. The Kiger looks like a competitive package and we will know more when we drive it soon. But at first glance, this is a compact SUV that has the potential to set the sales charts on fire.
Pros: Looks, practicality, turbo-petrol, interior design, features
Cons: No diesel
