Renault has made the Kiger a bit more of a buy by bringing the entry-level turbo-petrol down to Rs 7.89 lakh ex-showroom and putting out four new variants. You can also find a new Evolution+ model from Rs 6.99 lakh ex-showroom, which has some of the niceties that used to be for the top end of the range.
What buyers get now
It’s all about opening up choice and features to a wider audience. Renault India has put forward four more variants, covering both the naturally aspirated and the turbo side of things.
You’ll see the turbo-petrol side go from three to five variants, and the non-turbo line-up from six to eight. The Techno, for one, is now available with a turbo and a five-speed manual, so there are more ways to have some performance without breaking the bank.
Then there is the Evolution+, which is right in between the Evolution and the Techno. It has the kind of upgrades you use every day: a smart key with push-button start, auto climate control, wireless phone link, a driver’s seat you can adjust and some fabric upholstery.
Prices and combinations explained
The big story is the lower price on the turbo. A Kiger with a turbo and a manual will set you back anywhere from Rs 7.89 to 9.35 lakh ex-showroom. If you like the two-pedal life of an X-Tronic CVT, those run from Rs 9.35 to 10.35 lakh ex-showroom.
For the naturally aspirated models, the Authentic manual is the way in at Rs 5.81 lakh. The Emotion, if you want the best of the bunch, is Rs 8.45 lakh. And for the AMTs, you’re looking at a spread of Rs 6.99 to 8.05 lakh ex-showroom.
In Renault’s view, this makes the Kiger Turbo the most accessible in the sub-compact entry-level market, with prices from Rs 7.89 lakh. The new Evolution+ is your door in at Rs 6.99 lakh.
Engines and hardware remain familiar
Don’t expect any mechanical overhauls. The 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo is still the one in the Kiger, making 100bhp and mated to a 5-speed or the X-Tronic. The 1.0-litre petrol is here too, with manual and AMT on offer.
The rest is as you know it. You’ve got 205 mm of ground clearance, a 405-litre boot and roof rails that can take 50 kg. The inside is still set up for space and stowing away your things.
Where it fits in the segment
This new mix of trims and gearboxes is for anyone looking at the well-stocked sub-4 metre SUV shelf. The Kiger is up against the likes of the Tata Punch, Hyundai Exter, Nissan Magnite, Maruti Suzuki Fronx and Toyota Taisor.
Renault is going after the kind of customer who had to do without some performance or kit to make the numbers work. Now they have more to choose from, be it a turbo-manual or an AMT.
Why it matters to you
Were you torn up over whether to have the features or the power? The new range eases that. Renault has put the good stuff in the mid-range and made the turbo more of an option for your budget.
Some quick points to consider:
– You can have a turbo-petrol for as little as Rs 7.89 lakh ex-showroom
– The Evolution+ gives you the essentials from Rs 6.99 lakh
– There is a better selection of turbo-manuals and AMTs to go around
It’s a no-brainer from here: decide on your engine and how you want to drive, then find the trim with the features you can’t do without. With the variant list broadened, the Kiger is a value proposition that hits the mark in the middle of the pack.
