From high ground clearance and an aggressive, tall stance to powerful engines and a long features list, Renault’s versatile SUV is a born winner.
Published on Jun 13, 2022 02:02:00 PM
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The Kiger, designed and developed jointly by Renault’s corporate teams in France and India, stands apart from run-of-the-mill compact SUVs, thanks to its prominent, chrome-embellished front grille and sculpted bonnet. The split-headlamp arrangement adds visual verve, and the raked rear windscreen and tapering roofline impart a coupe-like stance to the SUV.
An element we especially love? The 3D, C-shaped LED tail-lamps. A high ground clearance of 205mm, roof rails, tall, aggressive stance, and smashing 16-inch diamond-cut alloys ensure that the Kiger ticks off all the boxes in the good-looking SUV list. For 2022, the Kiger gets a new silver skid plate for the front bumper and chrome garnish on the tail gate.
Few auto manufacturers know turbocharging as well as Renault does – and it shows in the way the Kiger drives. The refined 100hp engine has sparklingly linear power delivery and the turbo kicks in nice and smooth without any prominent spike. There’s tons of low range grunt and the Kiger always feels eager to get going. Rounding off the package are three multi-sense driving modes – Normal, Eco, Sports – and you don’t have to be a genius to figure which one we like the most.
The Kiger’s cabin is not just inviting and spacious – it is also very contemporary. Everything, from the piano-style dials, the suspended air con controls, the slick 8.0-inch floating touchscreen and the 7.0-inch Multi-Skin Reconfigurable TFT colour cluster, is part of a well-thought-out cohesive whole. The seats are just the right amount of firm; head- and knee-room is great, especially at the rear. In fact, the Kiger also boasts of the best-in-segment couple distance between the front seats, second row legroom (222mm), and elbow room.
The Kiger is also at the top of the heap when it comes to fuel efficiency. Its 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, mated to the 5-speed manual, delivers an outstanding – and ICAT-certified – fuel economy of 20.5kpl, making it the most frugal motor in its class.
One of the best things about Renault’s compact SUV is that it drives like a larger car. Body control and grip are impressive, the steering is light at low speeds, and the Kiger is equally adept at tackling winding roads and squeezing into impossibly tight parking slots. The ride is firm but never harsh and you’ll find that the SUV takes after the iconic Duster in the way it treats bad roads. In short, this is a sure-footed car with confidence-inspiring handling.
The Kiger is just not an exciting SUV, it is also a safe one. The proof of the pudding arrived in February this year, with the release of the SUV’s crash test rating by Global NCAP. The Kiger’s score? An impressive four stars for adult occupant protection. For the record, the Kiger’s list of passive and active safety features include four airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child-seat mounts, a rear-view camera and parking sensors.
The Kiger is a fun car to drive, and its Multi-Sense feature, which generates graphics depending on the driving mode you choose, makes being on the move even more entertaining. Other features this Renault comes packed with? Voice recognition via both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity that’s capable of pairing with up to five devices, built-in MP4 video player, and an Arkamys Auditorium 3D Sound system that comes with eight onboard speakers and automatically adjusts volume according to the speed of the vehicle, and the hands-free smart access card. And, just so you know, the 2022 Kiger now also comes with wireless charging and cruise control.
With prices ranging between Rs 5.84 lakh and Rs 10.39 lakh, the Renault Kiger is the most affordable compact SUV around. And that only enhances the appeal of the SUV, which ticks every box – from practicality and looks, to powerful turbocharged engines and a wholesome features list.
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