Renault Kwid review, test drive

Design is often half the battle won here in the Indian market, and so Renault is off to a good start with the Kwid. It has also armed itself well, with many trump cards like a premium cabin, plenty of space, the best fuel economy, loads of equipment and ride comfort that is class leading. And Renault has got its strategy and pricing right too. The company has been clever to save costs in areas that customers won't notice or mind, and instead provided features - like that touchscreen - that people really want. The company also claims it will offer the lowest overall ownership cost in its class; an uphill task when you’re up against Maruti. And, with 98 percent localisation of parts, it seems to have nailed the price too. The fully loaded car tested here (the RXT with options) retails for just 3.53 lakh(ex showroom Delhi), which is only around Rs 9000 above the top of the line Maruti Alto VXi. Yes it has its flaws, mainly with the engine, which falls short on refinement and power delivery, and some of the cheaper Kwids aren't well equipped. Still, all things considered, Renault's Kwid clearly is a breath of fresh air in this class, and from the look of things, has all the makings of a game changer. It's deeply desirable, clearly capable and the aggressive price is only the icing on the cake. Now all you have to do is find a find a Renault dealer near you. Maruti, Hyundai, this is your wake-up call.