Renault keeps Kiger fresh

REFINED: SHARPER DESIGN, ADDED TECH, LOWER COSTS KEEP COMPACT SUV A STRONG CONTENDER

- Charl Bosch

A replacement for the popular Romanian-sourced Sandero four years ago, the SUV-inspired Kiger has been a notable success, thanks mostly to its price and more rugged appearance.

The arrival of the facelift Kiger completes the revisions of Renault's lower-end models after similar updates to the Kwid and Triber last month. The respective changes apply not only to the Kiger's exterior and interior, but also its range denominators as the Life, Zen and Intens trim grades have been discontinued.

Although powered by the same, and unchanged, 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine used in the Kwid, Triber and Nissan Magnite, the local market launch in Cape Town only involved the normally aspirated unit. The blown mill is set to arrive next year.

For the Evolution that replaces the Life and the Zen-replacing Techno, the normally aspirated three-pot is the sole option with outputs of 52kW/96Nm. As standard, this engine is still paired to a five-speed manual gearbox, or as an option on the Techno only, the five-speed Easy-R automated manual (AMT).

Similar in appearance if more angular than the Triber, the Kiger's easy-to-spot external differences include thinner headlight clusters now with standard LEDs on both grades, a restyled front bumper, new fog lamps and a revised faux front skidplate.