The sub-4 metre SUV segment is currently the most competitive in India. Almost all carmakers in the country have an offering in the segment and this includes Renault with the Kiger. Like the Kwid, the Kiger also gets minor updates for 2024. Are they enough to make you consider choosing the Renault Kiger over a sea of compact SUVs? Let’s find out.
The Kiger is one good-looking SUV. The front end looks butch and the coupe-esque stance at the rear gives it a distinctive look. Exterior updates for 2024 are minimal and limited to the red brake callipers on the turbo petrol variants. On the inside, you get a new upholstery with dual-tone semi-leatherette seats. The steering wheel too gets a leatherette wrap which feels premium to the touch.
In terms of features, you now get auto folding ORVMs, a sturdy bezel-less auto-dimming IRVM and all-LED roof lamps in the cabin. Cruise control now comes as standard in all turbo-petrol variants. It continues to get an 8-inch infotainment screen and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Despite the compact footprint, there is enough cabin space to enable you to seat four 6-feet individuals in comfort besides offering a substantial 407-litre boot space.
The Kiger is offered with a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder naturally-aspirated and a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. We drove the latter. Paired with a CVT, it boasts a power output of 100PS and 152Nm (160Nm on the manual variant). This is the best powertrain combination in the Kiger lineup as the engine offers engaging performance while the CVT ensures that the power is delivered in a smooth manner. There is minimal turbo lag at low speeds and it also feels effortless to drive at high speeds. There are 3 drive modes on offer – Eco, Normal and Sport. Eco mode considerably tones down the throttle response and should only be used in very low fuel situations. The city mode feels adequate both for the city and highway but use the Sport mode to make the best of the performance on offer.
The Kiger comfortably absorbs the broken city roads while remaining stable at highway speeds. Body roll is well-controlled in the corners and with a more direct steering and better brakes, the Kiger with the turbo-petrol engine could be one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs in the segment. It now gets a bunch of safety features as standard including ESC, traction control, hill hold assist and tyre pressure monitoring system.
With prices starting at Rs 6 lakh and going up to Rs 11.23 lakh, ex-showroom, the Renault Kiger, is more affordable than its automatic turbo-petrol rivals. The French SUV offers fantastic looks, ample space and an engaging powertrain, making it an excellent value-for-money proposition.
