The Renault Kiger Is Launching in SA!
Earlier this year, Renault launched their first-ever subcompact SUV, the Renault Kiger in India. It’s based on the same platform as the Nissan Magnite and underpins the Renault Triber which shows it’s in good company. It also means that the Renault Kiger SUV will compete against cars like the Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300 and the Ford EcoSport.
Now, the company has announced they will be exporting the 2021 Renault Kiger to South Africa which should launch this month. It’s currently the most affordable sub-4 metre SUV in India with a long waiting list. Considering the price point and value for money, it will likely be a popular choice for South African motorists as well.
Specifications Of The New Renault Kiger
The 2021 Renault Kiger comes in two powertrain options; a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated and a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. In terms of power and performance, the naturally aspirated engine produces 71 bhp and 96 Nm of torque while the turbocharged derivative delivers 98 bhp and 160 Nm of torque.
While both engines are coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, there is an option of an AMT and a CVT transmission respectively. Fuel economy is another big plus which will undoubtedly attract a wider range of potential buyers. With a claimed fuel economy of 20 km/l for the automatic version and around 18.5 km/l for the petrol models, this impressive subcompact SUV is ideal for school runs, weekend getaways and travelling for work.
With 5 seats and ample boot space of over 400 litres, the Renault Kiger would be a great car for small to midsize families, young professionals and even first-time buyers. Thanks to some great engineering, the Renault Kiger is good for urban driving and highways for embarking on longer journeys.
Features And Driver Technologies: Kiger Models Explained
As it stands, the Renault Kiger in India has variants; the RXE, RXL, RXT, and RXZ. The Renault Kiger RXE is the base model and gets a long list of features but it likely won’t be available in South Africa. The local range seems to start with the mid-range Renault Kiger RXL. It has all the basics such as front electric windows, ABS with EBD, dual airbags, rear parking sensors, LED DRLs, manual AC plus a few extras, including:
- Rear AC vents
- Electric windows
- Speed-sensing door lock
- Body-coloured door handles
- Electrically adjustable ORVMs
- Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
- Four-speaker audio system with Bluetooth connectivity
Renault Kiger RXT
Climbing up the ladder is the Renault Kiger RXT with all the standard features and a host of added extras. This includes the following:
- Silver rear skid plate
- Black interior door handles
- Steering-mounted controls
- Eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto)
- Rear centre arm-rest with cup holders
- Rear wiper and washer
- Rear parking camera
- Keyless entry
- Side airbags
Renault Kiger RXZ
The Renault Kiger RXZ is the top-spec model with all the basics and even more technology and features, such as:
- LED headlamps
- Black and chrome insert for fenders
- 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
- Three-spoke steering wheel with leather insert
- Seven-inch instrument console
- Wireless
- Drive modes (Normal, Sport and Eco)
- Automatic climate control
- Rear window defogger
- Air purifier
- Cooled glove box
- Seat Lumbar Support
- KeyLess Entry
- Engine Start/Stop Button
- Auto-folding ORVMs
- Dual front airbags and side airbags
Renault Kiger To Add Further Value In South Africa
The first batch of 760 Renault Kiger vehicles have already been shipped from the Chennai port and they plan on exporting more to other parts of Africa, Indonesia and the SAARC regions.
The Renault Kiger adds even more value to an already impressive range of passenger vehicles. This latest offering will further bolster the French automaker’s existing portfolio in South Africa with its distinctive SUV look, ample space, smart features, amazing engine and reasonable price range.
According to Venkatram Mamillapalle, the Country CEO and Managing Director of Renault India Operations: “With the launch of Renault Kiger, Renault forayed in the largest and the fastest-growing segment of the Indian automobile market. We look forward to expanding the exports of Kiger to many international markets soon.”
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