New for 2022, the Kiger now gets styling enhancements, an updated feature list, added variants, and a new milestone to celebrate. The Kiger has been around for a little over a year now, and it has already crossed 50,000 production milestone at their Chennai facility. And to celebrate this milestone, the carmaker introduced the MY2022 Renault Kiger. Here, we will be telling you everything that’s new in the 2022 sub-4metre SUV.
As we all know, the Kiger’s design is an outcome of collaboration between the design teams in France and India it continues to look modern, butch and attractive. There’s also a new chrome-finished tailgate insert and stylish-looking skid plate at the front and this subtle yet intriguing Turbo decal on the side. Also, the diamond-cut alloy wheels now have red finished hub caps making them stand out.
Part of the update is the new Metal Mustard exterior paint with a blacked-out roof. And for this 50,000 milestone, Renault has also introduced a handsome-looking Stealth Black paint scheme.
Ever since its introduction, the Kiger has made a mark with its design in the sub-four metre segment thanks to its design. Its unmistakably Renault styling, with muscular stance and many futuristic elements make the Kiger stand out.
Now getting inside, the refreshed Kiger flaunts the new red accents on the dashboard. It adds a nice flavour to the all-black cabin. Apart from that, the MY2022 Kiger also has this quilted emboss finishing on the seats. Adding to the sportiness are contrast red stitches on the seats and around the gear lever and around the cabin.
Also part of the update is a wireless charger placed down the centre console. And guess what, it now also gets cruise control. And before we forget, the updated Kiger gets a PM2.5 air filter as standard across the range.
The Kiger continues to offer clever storage options all around the cabin – 29 litres to be exact. Even the boot capacity of 405 litres is best-in-segment, and it can be extended up to 879 litres by folding down the 60:40 split rear seats.
The all-digital driver’s display is configurable depending on the driving mode you are in. In the Eco, you get a green screen, in normal it is Blue and in Sport mode, there’s red everything with more info like bhp and nm bars, and a G-metre as well.
As for the seats, they are fairly comfortable with good bolster support and you get height adjustment as well. Even space at the back is more than ample for two. It got sufficient leg room with a seating position set for my height, it’s big on headroom thanks to the tall roof and the flat floor also allows passengers to sit quite comfortably.
Inside the chrome and piano black finished cabin, you get leather-wrapped steering wheel, contrast red stitches on upholstery, cruise control, wireless charger, a digital driver’s display with drive mode skins, 3D surround Arkamys sound system with six speakers, automatic AC, rear defogger, electric folding ORVMs, dual glove box with the lower one being a cooled glove box, ambient lighting, rear AC vents, steering mounted controls, height adjustable driver’s seat, rear wipers, push-button start with smartcard key, rear armrest with cup holders, and split seats. You also get an eight-inch floating touchscreen with USB connectivity and a rearview camera.
As for safety, there are four airbags in the RXZ trim while dual front air bags are standard, there’s rear parking sensors, and ABS with EBD, speed sensing door locks, and ISOFIX as well.
And if you are wondering, the Renault Kiger has already bagged four stars in the Global NCAP crash tests. Pretty impressive, right?
The updated Kiger continues to be offered with two engine options. The 1.0-litre non-turbo version makes 71bhp and 96Nm. It’s either available with a five-speed manual or an AMT. What we are driving is the 1.0-litre turbocharged engine which has an output of 99bhp. It’s available with either a manual which has 160Nm, while the automatic is a CVT which has a torque figure of 152Nm.
No changes have been made to the engine or gearbox for this update. So the three-cylinder engine in the Kiger continues to feel refined sans those irksome vibrations associated with a three pot engine. The power delivery is smooth and predictable even the turbo lag is nicely compensated by the refined and user friendly CVT transmission. Even the bothersome rubber band effect of the usual CVT is fairly absent here. You also get three driving modes, where in Eco the performance is subdued to extract more fuel efficiency. Meanwhile, throttle response is slightly sharper in Sport. So Normal mode would do just fine for your everyday need.
No changes to steering and suspension either, so the Kiger is still one happy runabout, be it in the city, or out on the highway.
With the 2022 update, the Kiger pricing now starts at Rs 5.99 lakh and goes all the way up to Rs 10.62 lakh for this top-spec version.
With this update, the new 2022 Kiger has refreshed it’s appeal by offering more in it’s well rounded package. It looks handsome, has loads of features, is safe and equally good to drive with multiple powertrain choice. And it’s even priced competitively than other sub-four metre SUVs.
Photography – Kaustubh Gandhi
Keyword: 2022 Renault Kiger First Drive Review