Renault has updated the its compact SUV for 2022, and the Renault Kiger now gets a host of new features for a starting price of ₹5.99 lakh. The 1-litre turbo petrol is now offered on an additional variant and there are a few interior changes and safety enhancements.
The new Kiger has the same design as the existing model, but it comes with some additional styling features that elevate the SUV aspect of it. Based on Renault’s CMFA+ platform shared with the Nissan Magnite, the Kiger looks similar to the Kwid hatchback but adds some butch styling to appeal to SUV buyers. New options for 2022 include a front skid plate, chrome accents on the tailgate and a new dual-tone yellow and black colour scheme. The 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels have been given red wheel caps. The whole look is finished off with new ‘TURBO’ decals on the doors.
The interior is where the new Kiger gets spruced up the most, with a host of new features. The most obvious changes are the additions of a wireless phone charger as standard fitment, cruise control and a PM2.5 air filter. The interior upholstery has been given an overhaul, with quilted and embossed seats with red stitching and a red accent on the dashboard. The 8-inch infotainment system remains the same, along with the digital instrument cluster.
It is under the hood that Renault has made the least changes, with the same engine options available as before. These include the 1-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine which produces 71bhp and 96Nm, mated to a manual or AMT gearbox. The 1-litre turbo petrol engine which produces 98bhp and 152Nm torque with a manual and the CVT transmission options, and it is now available in additional variant – the RXT(O). Renault claims that the 1-litre turbo petrol now delivers a claimed fuel efficiency figure of 20.5kmpl with the manual gearbox, which would make it the best in its segment. The addition of the manual gearbox to the turbo-petrol engine is very good news for us enthusiasts, and we are sure we’ll see a lot more of you hooning this SUV!
Renault has fitted the 2022 Kiger with a host of safety features to make it more appealing to customers, who now look at safety as one of the major concerns while buying a car. The SUV comes with four airbags as standard and a number of active safety features which are actually more important for the occupants. These include a full ABS and EBD suite with rear parking sensors and impact and speed sensing door auto-lock. The Kiger already has a Global NCAP safety rating of four stars. We are very happy that more and more manufacturers are giving a consideration to the safety features in their cars, with both passive and active safety measures.
The new 2022 Renault Kiger’s prices start from ₹5.99 lakh, a marginal increase as compared to before. It is the RXT(O) variant of the Kiger that gets the combination of the turbo-petrol with the manual gearbox. The Kiger competes with the Nissan Magnite, Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue. Even with the price hike, it still undercuts all these SUVs. Bookings for the new Kiger start from March 31.