Renault Kiger Expert Review

The Renault Kiger stands out in the crowded compact SUV segment with its distinctive styling and unmistakable French character. Unlike many rivals that lean heavily on rugged SUV cues, the Kiger looks sleek, modern and slightly futuristic. The sharp LED DRLs, split-headlamp setup, sculpted bonnet and coupe-like roofline give it strong visual appeal, while the chunky cladding and roof rails maintain SUV presence. Despite being under four metres long, the Kiger looks proportionate and stylish from most angles. Ground clearance stands at 205mm, giving the Kiger genuine usability on rough Indian roads. Built on the CMF-A+ platform, the Kiger prioritises lightweight construction and practicality.

Inside, the Kiger’s cabin feels modern and youthful. The layered dashboard, floating touchscreen and coloured inserts help give it a more interesting appearance than many rivals in this price range. 
The driving position is excellent, visibility is good and the front seats are comfortable for daily use. Rear-seat space is another strength, with enough room for adults to sit comfortably thanks to generous legroom and headroom. However, the cabin plastics feel noticeably hard and budget-oriented in several places. The 405-litre boot is one of the largest in the segment and adds to the Kiger’s practicality.

The Kiger is offered with naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engines. The naturally aspirated engine produces 72hp and 96Nm paired with either a 5 speed manual or 5 speed Amt. The Turbocharged engine produces 100hp and 160Nm when paired with 5 speed manual and 152Nm when paired with a CVT gearbox.
The turbo-petrol, especially with the CVT gearbox, is the standout option in the range. Performance feels energetic enough for city driving, with a strong mid-range once the turbo kicks in. The CVT suits relaxed urban driving well, though hard acceleration causes the engine to become vocal. The naturally aspirated engine feels adequate in city conditions but lacks urgency when carrying passengers or driving on highways.
Refinement is acceptable rather than exceptional. The three-cylinder engines exhibits noticeable vibrations at idle and sounds coarse when pushed hard, though it remains smooth enough during everyday commuting.

The ARAI-claimed mileage of the Kiger is 20.38kmpl for the turbo-manual, while the naturally aspirated engine with the manual gearbox has a claimed efficiency of 19.83kmpl.

Ride quality is one of the Kiger’s strongest areas. The suspension is tuned for comfort and handles potholes and broken roads impressively well, especially at city speeds. Even over rough surfaces, the Kiger maintains composure and feels mature for a compact SUV. High-speed stability is decent, though some vertical movement is noticeable over undulating roads.
Handling is safe and predictable rather than sporty. The steering is light, making the Kiger easy to manoeuvre in traffic and parking situations, though body roll becomes noticeable when driven enthusiastically.

The Kiger comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless smartphone connectivity, automatic climate control and a digital instrument cluster. 
Safety equipment includes ESC, hill-start assist, tyre pressure monitoring and multiple airbags. The Kiger has a 4-star safety rating for adult occupants from Global NCAP.

Priced between roughly Rs 5.80 lakh and Rs 10.40 lakh, the Kiger’s biggest strength is its aggressive pricing. It offers attractive styling, strong practicality and excellent ride comfort at a price point that undercuts many rivals.