The Renault Kiger has been revealed in its production form, indicating that a launch is imminent. Barring Renault Kiger prices and the variant break-up, the French brand has revealed its compact SUVs specifications, the features available in top-spec form, the design, its interiors and the engine and gearbox options on offer.
- Renault Kiger to come with four engine and gearbox options
- To come with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment, ambient lighting and an air filter
- Will rival the Magnite, Sonet, Venue and more
Renault Kiger design
When the Renault Kiger concept had been revealed late last year, it gave us a pretty good idea of what was to come from the final production model; the carmaker had said that about 80 percent of the show car would make it to production.
The Kiger retains the concept’s front styling to a large extent, from the sculpted bonnet and flared wheel arches to the large ‘winged’ front grille (with honeycomb-shaped chrome elements) and split, all-LED headlight setup. In addition, the overall SUV-coupe-esque silhouette from the concept can be seen in this production model too; this is accentuated by the downward sloping roofline that ends in a blacked-out C-pillar and a small spoiler element.
At the rear, the distinctive C-shaped LED tail-lights are prominent, and the faux-aluminium skid plate does add the requisite ruggedness.
The model that’ll go on sale will stand 205mm off the ground on 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 195/65 R16 tyres. For those who don’t know, the Kiger concept had large 19-inch rims and a 210mm ground clearance.
A stand-out design is a major focus for the Kiger and Laurens van den Acker, executive vice president, Renault Group Design, had said that they wanted their compact SUV to look bigger than its dimensions would suggest. First impressions suggest the Kiger does both to a certain degree.
Renault will offer six exterior colour options for the Kiger – Ice Cool White, Planet Grey, Moonlight Grey, Mahogany Brown, Caspian Blue and Radiant Red with Mystery Black Roof. In a unique move, dual-tone colour options will be available on all trim of the Kiger, though the Radiant Red finish is exclusive to the top variant.
There are five accessory packs on offer too that'll allow customers to personalise their Kiger.
Renault Kiger interiors
On the inside, the Kiger features a grey layered dashboard with black plastic highlights on the centre console and power window switches, along with a lighter grey finish for the hexagonal side AC vents. An 8.0-inch touschscreen is mounted high on the centre of the dash above the central AC vents, almost in-line with a 7.0-inch TFT digital instrumentation display. A closer look at some of switches, stalks and the steering wheel will show that they are shared with the Triber, though the Kiger’s steering unit gets controls for the infotainment system.
Storage compartments are aplenty, with Renault saying there’s a total of 29 litres available. This includes the ability to hold four 1-litre bottles, two cups, 7.5 litres in the front centre armrest and 10.5 litres in the glove box.
Renault Kiger features
The 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, responds to voice commands and allows up to five devices to be connected via Bluetooth. A 4-speaker and 4-tweeter Arkamys audio system is on offer on higher variants. Other convenience and comfort features available on higher trims of the Kiger include keyless entry, push-button start, automatic climate control, ambient lighting and a PM2.5 air filter.
Notably missing from the Kiger's features list is a sunroof. Rivals like the Nexon, Sonet, Venue and EcoSport all offer the latter on higher-spec variants.
Renault Kiger specifications
The Kiger is based on the same space efficient CMFA+ platform that underpins its cousin and rival, the Nissan Magnite, and the Renault Triber. Cabin space is said to be segment-leading – Renault claims you get a best-in-segment 710mm of space between the front headrests, 220mm of rear legroom and 1,431mm of elbow room at the rear. This is despite the Kiger begin smaller overall than compact SUVs like the Mahindra XUV300, Kia Sonet and Ford EcoSport. In fact, Renault claims a largest in class 405-litre boot that can expand to 879 litres with the rear seats folded.
| Renault Kiger dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3991mm |
| Width | 1750mm |
| Height | 1600mm |
| Wheelbase | 2500mm |
| Kerb weight | 1012kg |
| Tyre size | 195/60 R16 |
| Turning diameter | 10.04m |
| Boot | 405 litres |
| Ground clearance | 205mm |
| Fuel tank | 40 litres |
Renault Kiger: engine and gearbox options
Along with the shared underpinnings, the Kiger also shares its 72hp, naturally aspirated petrol and 100hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine options with the Magnite. However, the entry-level 72hp unit in the Kiger also gets an AMT automatic gearbox option. As with the Magnite, the Kiger’s turbo-petrol engine will be available with manual and CVT automatic options.
Higher variants of the turbo-petrol engine also get drive modes - Normal, Eco and Sports - that alter the response of the engine, gearbox and steering.
| Renault Kiger powertrains | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine type | 3 cyl, naturally aspirated petrol | 3 cyl, turbo-petrol |
| Displacement | 999cc | 999cc |
| Power | 72hp | 100hp |
| Torque | 96Nm at 3500rpm | 160Nm at 3200rpm |
| Manual gearbox | 5-speed | 5-speed |
| Automatic gearbox | 5-speed AMT | 5-speed CVT |
Renault Kiger price estimate and rivals
Given the trend of Renault pricing its models competitively, expect Kiger prices to be in the Rs 5.5-9.5 lakh (ex-showroom) range. This will place it squarely against the Magnite, while undercutting Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Toyota Urban Cruiser.
Also see:
Renault eyes rural market growth with Triber, Kiger