Buying a used Renault Kiger: What to look out for

GOOD FOR: Value for money, smooth turbo-CVT

LOOK OUT FOR: Suspension wear, interior rattles

Launched in February 2021, the Kiger was Renault’s entry into the congested compact SUV space. A sister product of the Nissan Magnite, the Kiger stands out for its performance (turbo), space, and decent features list – all in a compact and affordable package. This naturally makes it an enticing option in the used market. Here’s all that you should consider before buying a used Renault Kiger.  

Though it measures under 4 metres, space in the interior is good enough for five adults, and it gets a sizeable 405-litre boot. It also has 205mm of ground clearance, which means you’ll have no trouble tackling rough roads.

Renault Kiger powertrain and mileage

1-litre naturally aspirated and turbo-petrol engine options

Renault offers the Kiger with two 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engines. The first is a naturally aspirated unit producing 72hp and 96Nm, while the other is a turbocharged unit that makes 100hp and 160Nm. Both come paired with a 5-speed manual as standard. The turbo-petrol also gets the option of a CVT automatic, but the engine’s torque output drops by 8Nm to 152Nm. Meanwhile, the atmospheric petrol engine gets a 5-speed AMT auto option.

We haven’t tested the Kiger’s fuel efficiency, but the claimed ARAI fuel efficiency figures for the turbo-manual and naturally aspirated manual units are 20.38kpl and 19.83kpl, respectively. 

While both have impressive fuel efficiency, the NA engine isn’t fun to drive. Opt for the NA only if efficiency is your main criteria, as the Turbo is more sensitive to driving style, and a slightly eager throttle will see efficiency drop. However, it’s worth opting for the Turbo, as the engine is punchy and has good performance on offer. Furthermore, the CVT automatic is also smooth and seamless, especially in city conditions.

Renault Kiger variants and features

8-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charger

At launch, the Renault Kiger was offered in four trim levels – RxE, RxL, RxT and RxZ. Later, Renault rejigged the line-up by removing the RxL trim and adding an RxT (O) and other limited editions.

As for features, the range-topping Kiger RxZ gets an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, an Arkamys audio system, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, keyless entry, push-button start/stop, auto climate control, ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger and a PM2.5 air filter. Safety features include four airbags, ABS, traction control, a rear-view camera and ISOFIX child seat mounts. Furthermore, buyers had the option to choose from five accessory packs that allowed for more personalisation and brought in more features.

It’s worth opting for the range-topping RxZ as that’s the one which gets you all the aforementioned equipment. However, if the budget is tight, there’s decent value to be found in the mid-spec RxT trim. Avoid the base RxE as it’s bare bones.

Renault offered a standard warranty of 2 years/50,000km with the Kiger, but owners also had the option to extend it. The Kiger has proven to be fairly reliable, and though Renault’s touchpoints are not widespread in the country, spare parts are easily available. With the facelift out, you can negotiate for a good deal. 

What to look out for in a used Renault Kiger?

Suspension wear

Some owners have faced issues with the Kiger’s suspension; it is generally noisy, but worn-out ones are excessively loud. Before buying, take a test drive and listen for excessive rattles, and notice if the car crashes a lot on bumps. These are signs of worn-out suspension bushings that will need to be replaced.

Interior rattles

There have also been reports of various rattles emerging from the Kiger’s interior as it ages. So, on a drive, go through a rough patch and listen for any rattles or squeaks coming from behind the dashboard, the centre console, or the door cards.

Fuel pump issue

Few owners have also faced issues with the fuel pump, causing the car to stall, breakdown and, in some cases, even refuse to start. This could be down to poor fuel quality. While taking a test drive, notice if the car drives smoothly and look for any jerks while accelerating. 

Second hand Renault Kiger price, resale value

You’ll find Kigers in the used market priced between Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 9 lakh, depending on the powertrain, variant and model year. However, don’t spend over Rs 7 lakh for a used example as you’d be better off buying a new one. Further, with the facelift out, you can use this to haggle the price down.