Cut out for Combat

Time flies when you live in big cities. Especially if you are young and driven. There’s work, which defines you, but there’s also leisure and play that is as important. And that’s why you need a car that can keep up with you. Enter the Renault Kwid. 

The Kwid is one of the original heroes of Renualt’s fabled India line-up, one that includes indefatigables such as the Duster, Triber, and Kiger. It’s made its own distinct mark over the last nine years since its launch. With its chunky, crossover-like stance, peppy engine, and tough build, the Renault Kwid was a game-changer in terms of design and innovation. Today, it is an automatic choice for those who are off the starting blocks in life and intend to go the distance. All it takes is a quick drive to understand why.

Locked and loaded

With its SUV-inspired design complemented by a high ground clearance and a bold grille, the Kwid has tremendous presence, irrespective of whether it is parked outside Starbucks, or negotiating a tight urban situation. The ‘silver streak’ LED DRLs, dual tone flex wheels and the arching roof rails add visual pzazz. Renault’s champion car isn’t merely impressive from the outside – it’s got the goods to not only cater to the enthusiast in you, but also to keep your finicky friends happy. Our Kwid Climber came studded with features such as an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a LED digital instrument cluster, smart, comfortable seats, and a ton of storage spaces, including a 300-litre boot that’s big enough for a car a couple of segments above.

But, then, clever engineering of space has always been a Renualt – and Kwid – thing. It is one of the most spacious cars in its segment, thanks to a very impressive 2,422mm wheelbase. The view out is of a long flat bonnet, just like in an SUV, and the front seats are among the best in class. There’s tons of head, knee and shoulder room at the rear as well. What becomes instantly clear as you settle down inside the Kwid is that this is a cabin you’d love spending time in. 

Mover & Shaker

The first thing you notice when you exercise your right foot is that the Kwid settles into a nice rhythm very quickly. Its 1-litre, 68hp engine is a perky customer, with a robust bottom-end and instantaneous power delivery. The Kwid is remarkably agile, and that’s a good thing if your daily commute to work and for evening meet-ups involve making your way through rotting traffic. Show it an open road, though, and the Kwid’s strong mid-range comes into play. If you are a stick-shift guy, you’ll love the slick five-speed gearbox that makes moving through gears at a rapid clip a lot of fun. But if convenience is your jam, the AMT is as engaging too, and let’s also quickly tell you that the Kwid is the most affordable automatic in India.

This Renault was conceived keeping India in mind, and that’s why it is such an ace at handling challenges thrown by our unique road conditions, especially post-monsoon. We found its low-speed ride over bad roads impressive, and its composure at high speeds is confidence-inspiring. It’s a car that quite literally goes almost everywhere you want it to go, and it looks cool doing that. What tilts the scales in the Kwid’s favour – in case you are actually in the market for your first car – is its top notch fuel efficiency. The manual version of the Kwid delivers 21.70 kilometres to the litre, while the AMT delivers 22.50. These are definitely figures no one would have a problem with. And if you are wondering about safety. The Kwid comes with 14 safety features as standard, including dual airbags, Hill Start Assist, ESP, and a traction control system, and a reverse parking camera that should come in very handy around town.

Long story short – the Kwid is a car that is as comfortable as you are in a variety of situations. With a range of colour options, including the very striking Fiery Red, it won’t go unnoticed in the workplace parking lot, and if you are the sort who seeks open horizons every weekend, it will be more up for it than you are.

Also see:

Renault Kiger, Triber, Kwid Night and Day editions launched

Renault not giving up on small cars; will soldier on with current gen Kwid