French flavour
The Kiger is on track to be the most affordable compact SUV, without any compromises
WE’VE REACHED A POINT WHERE EVERY major carmaker in India now has a sub four-metre compact SUV in its portfolio. With SUVs contributing close to 50 per cent of industry sales, this was bound to happen and carmakers are now jostling to grab a share of this pie. The Kiger is the newbie here and it’s based on the Alliance’s CMF-A+ platform from the Triber and the Nissan Magnite.
At first glance, the Kiger looks like a mélange of the Kwid – thanks to a split headlamp design – and the new-generation Captur (sold globally) for its C-shaped LED taillamps. The profile appears proportionate, something that’s hard to achieve in the sub four-metre space. With funky 16-inch alloys, floating roof, and a muscular line bordering the highly raked windshield, the Kiger looks youthful. The same cannot be said about the cabin though, where most materials have been picked from a common parts bin. A familiar 8-inch touchscreen dominates the centre console and features smartphone replication along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Upto five devices can be connected through Bluetooth simultaneously while the 7-inch instrument cluster features new graphics. Additionally, there’s a PM 2.5 air filter, an 8-speaker Arkamys 3D sound system and segment-best 405 litres of boot space as well.
Powering the Kiger will be a choice of two engines — a 1-litre naturally aspirated petrol that can be paired to either a five-speed manual or an AMT and the 1-litre turbo-petrol motor that will be offered with a five-speed manual or a CVT. The naturally aspirated unit produces 71bhp and 96Nm while the turbocharged engine that’s also expected to power the Triber in the coming months, makes 99bhp and 160Nm of torque. Higher variants of the turbo engine also get Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes.
The Kiger will be the most affordable compact SUV when it goes on sale in March, undercutting the Magnite and other rivals like the Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet, among others. With multiple engine-gearbox combos, segment-leading space and a lot of premium equipment, aggressive pricing is all that’s left for Renault to turn its fortunes and tackle the competition head on.
Below, left to right: Familiar 8-inch infotainment screen; looks most attractive from rear three quarters; a neat and well-appointed cabin