Running costs are an important consideration for car buyers, so for those of us looking at the Renault model range, which is the most costly to maintain and which is the most affordable?
Apart from the purchase price, the main determining factor in a car’s affordability is its running costs: how much does it cost to service, how much fuel does it consume, and in the event of a breakdown or maintenance, how expensive are its parts? Insurance premiums also comes into play, but for this is roughly proportional to the purchase price and dependent on numerous risk factors, so let’s ignore this aspect for the purpose of this comparison.
A question asked frequently is whether Renaults are expensive to maintain, or if Renault parts are expensive. Generally speaking, the French brand’s currnet line-up is not exceedingly expensive to maintain as may have been the past. Ranked from cheapest to most expensive, and using fuel consumption, list price, estimated insurance costs and parts basket pricing where available, we have ranked the Renault model range in terms of running costs.
1. Renault Kwid
With very simple mechanical bits, sparse standard specification, and reasonably affordable service- and repair parts, the Kwid should prove to be quite cheap to maintain. It’s also a very low-powered car with a very low theft risk, so insurance costs are sure to be extremely low. And, because it’s so light and the engine is so small, the Kwid also uses very little fuel, so it won’t cost very much at the pumps either.
2. Renault Triber
Since the Triber shares many of its components with the budget-friendly Kwid, it will be similar to run, although its added weight will ensure a higher runnings costs, but not by much.
3. Renault Kiger
Based on the same platform as the Kwid and Triber, but with the option of turbo power, the Kiger is cheap to run and will prove reasonably affordable to maintain, granting it third place in this comparison.
4. Renault Duster
Renault’s other Eastern-European offering has similar virtues to the Duster: simplicity, efficient drivetrains, and affordable insurance and parts. The only reason it would be slightly more expensive to run is the fact that it is significantly bigger and heavier, which will translate to a noticeable fuel-efficiency penalty. However, the availabile 1.5 dCi engine may just tip the balance back into the Duster’s favour, because it truly runs on the smell of a diesel-soaked rag.
5. Renault Clio
The latest Clio offers an enhanced interior, a more powerful engine with significantly more power, more modern technology and the brand’s latest exterior styling cues. This increased sophistication may lead to higher maintenance costs as the more ietms fitted to a car, generally speaking, the more likely things are to go wrong.
6. Renault Koleos
As the biggest Renault available in our market, the Koleos SUV will also need the most fuel to keep moving. It’s also quite high-tech, being based on the Nissan X-Trail platform, although this base has already proved itself to be pretty robust. Still, that impressive toy count may cost more to keep working properly in the long run. Its main drawcard will be related to affordable insurance premium, as it’s not a high-risk vehicle in any of its forms.
Keyword: Running costs: Renault ranked by model