How Does Renault Kwid Compare To Suzuki’s Small Cars
When it comes to the entry-level car market, there are two brands that really stand out as popular in South Africa – Renault and Suzuki. In the category of compact hatchbacks or ‘mini’ SUVs that are perfect for city life, tight parking spaces and easy on fuel, the Renault Kwid LIFE can be compared to Suzuki’s Swift 1.2 GA MT, Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA MT and Suzuki’s S-Presso 1.0 GL MT.
For new-car buyers who are shopping on a tight budget, these affordable small cars are excellent value for money, as good all-rounders.
For the sake of comparison, we pit the Renault Kwid against Suzuki’s Swift, Celerio and S-Presso, to see exactly how Renault’s flagship budget car performs in this category and which cars have the best features.
Renault Kwid
Look And Feel
The Renault Kwid LIFE tops the charts in ‘sex appeal’ with it comes to French flair, with an uncluttered interior and muscular exterior, featuring C-shaped signature headlamps and a bold front grille. The Kwid isn’t just stylish, its design is very much technology-driven. This little French number is aimed at first-time owners with its low running costs, which will appeal to those who have a smaller budget. When it comes to the feel of the car, the Renault Kwid also has ample leg space for the driver and passengers, as well as a 279-litre boot.
The third-generation Swift is probably the closest in looks to the Kwid with its dynamic shape with its latest exterior makeover. The new Swift is bolder, sleeker and sexier than ever before. Sporting a chunky front grille, this punchy-styled car packs quite a lot of space for a mini SUV – more practical than one would think. It has a 268-litre boot, slightly less than the Kwid but overall it’s slightly bigger.
The second-generation Suzuki Celerio is curvier than its predecessor, as well as longer and wider – although it seems rather box-like compared with the Swift, it’s actually built on the same platform as the Swift. Even though it might not look like it from the outside, the Celerio is the biggest of these small cars and has 295 litres of boot space! It’s big enough for your luggage and still small enough to make parallel parking a dream.
The most budget-friendly of the lot has to be the ‘mini Jimny’ the S-Presso. It has a rather narrow frame but a contemporary exterior which is quite athletic. It actually has more space inside than you would think too. With a claimed luggage capacity of 239 litres, it really however comes in more on the mini side.
Suzuki Swift
Standard Features
The Renault Kwid LIFE comes standard with a ton of features, including a multimedia system with an 8-inch screen and Satnav MediaNAV system, a digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free calls, USB connectivity and front power windows.
The Suzuki’s Swift 1.2 GA MT has manual air conditioning, remote central locking, front and rear electric windows, rear park assist, immobiliser, security alarm and body-coloured door handles and bumpers. Unfortunately, as the entry-level Swift, it doesn’t have as many advanced tech features as the GL or GLX.
The Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA MT boasts audio controls on the steering wheel, info display with fuel consumption, Bluetooth touchscreen, air conditioner, front console with 12V accessory socket, rear parking sensors, engine start-stop and immobiliser as its main features, which feels slightly more upmarket than the Swift’s offering but doesn’t quite compare to the Kwid’s standard features.
The Suzuki’s S-Presso 1.0 GL MT fairs quite well in the category of standard features with an integrated information display, Bluetooth, a 9-inch touchscreen and a USB port on the front console, electric front windows and manual air conditioning.
Suzuki Celerio
Safety Features
The Renault Kwid LIFE’s safety features include driver and front passenger airbags, ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution), Rear Park Distance Sensors, Reverse Parking Camera, an engine immobilizer, a high-mounted stop lamp, High Safety Pro-Sense Front Seat Belts, and Seat Belt Reminder.
The Swift’s safety features include ABS brakes with EBD and BAS (Brake Assist System), as well as dual front airbags and ISOFIX child seat anchorages in the rear, side-impact door beams, rear parking sensors, high-mount stop lamp, immobiliser, security alarm and ESP (Electronic Stability Program) with traction control.
The Suzuki Celerio features SRS dual front airbags, ESP (Electronic Stability Program), engine auto start-stop system, and rear parking sensors and ISOFIX child seat anchorages.
Equipped with advanced safety features, including dual front airbags, rear park assist, and a reinforced body structure, the S-Presso 1.0 GL MT is a rather safe ride. Other safety features include ABS with EBD SRS, ISOFIX Hill Hold Control (AMT), Engine Auto Stop-Start (EASS), and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).
Suzuki S-Presso
Engine And Performance
The all-new 999CC Renault Kwid Engine has the option of a 5-speed manual or automatic. Its power output for both is 50kW @ 5500RPM and torque is 91Nm @ 4250RPM.
The Suzuki Swift is powered by a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated (non-turbocharged) 4-cylinder petrol engine mated with either a manual gearbox or automatic transmission. Power output is 61kW @ 6000RPM and Torque 113Nm @ 4200RPM.
The Celerio is powered by a 1.0-litre Dualjet engine, which is more fuel efficient and allows for quicker response. Power output is 49kW @ 5500RPM and Torque 89Nm @ 3500RPM.
The zippy Suzuki S-Presso has a 1.0-litre engine with a power output of 49kW @ 5500RPM and Torque 89Nm @ 3500RPM.
Fuel Efficiency
The Renault KWID is fuel-frugal and with a low CO2 Emission Level. The manual version has a combined cycle of 4.7l/100km, while the AMT auto comes in a 4.4l/100km.
The light and compact Suzuki Swift with its 1.2ℓ petrol engine offers high output and exceptional fuel consumption at as little as 4.9ℓ /100km.
The Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA MT is as low as 4.4l/100km, which takes the cake in the fuel efficiency department.
The Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 GL MT is also really super fuel efficient at 4.6l/100km on the MT!
| Specification | Renault Kwid LIFE | Swift 1.2 GA MT | Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA MT | S-Presso 1.0 GL MT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | 999CC petrol engine | 1.2l petrol engine | 1.0l VVT petrol engine | 1.0l petrol engine |
| Fuel consumption | 4.7l/100km | 4.9l/100km | 4.4l/100km | 4.6l/100km |
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| Warranty | 5-year / 150 000km warranty* | 5-year / 200 000 km warranty* | 5-year / 200 000 km mechanical warranty* | 5-year / 200 000 km warranty* |
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| Top 5 Exterior Features |
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| Top 5 Interior Features |
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| Price* | From R188 999 | From 199 900 | From 183 900 | From 169 000 |
*Pricing correct at time of publishing – September 2023
Interested in a Renault Kwid LIFE? Visit our Group1 Renault Kwid page and book a test drive.
Suzuki Images:
“2018 Suzuki Swift Sport Boosterjet 1.4” by Vauxford is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“2021 Maruti Suzuki Celerio ZXi (India) front view 01” by Exhibit Magazine is licensed under CC BY 3.0.
“Suzuki S-presso 1.0 GLX Adventure 2021” by RL GNZLZ is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
