The Renault Kwid’s latest updates focus more on safety and in-cabin experience than aesthetics.
Story: Joshua Varghese
Photography: Apurva Ambep
For years now, the Renault Kwid Climber has been one of the most sensible cars in its segment. This one is the latest iteration of the small hatchback and it could possibly be the last one because another significant update for the Kwid may not be on the cards. Most manufacturers have already moved out of this segment and Renault may be considering following suit. Meanwhile, here is what you may expect in the latest update.
The Kwid’s design was always good to begin with: simple and neat. They have left the exterior largely untouched and the talking point appears to be three new dual-tone colour options. Among the salient changes for 2024 is the eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system inside the car. Although the layout and graphics largely resemble the previous generation, this one supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay via a USB-A cable. I would not describe the display as adequate and there is room for improvement.
By offering as many as 14 safety features as standard, Renault India have significantly improved the Kwid’s game. During my drive, the feature I found most useful was the hill-start assist, especially with the five-speed manual transmission. There is a tyre pressure monitoring system, too, but it does not indicate the pressure in numerals at each wheel. Rather it just offers an alert whenever the pressure drops below the recommended limits but even that is fairly useful. The rear-view camera with guidelines is always a good thing to have considering this is a car that is popular among first-time drivers but the refresh rate and clarity of the display could have been improved. Other notable features include dual airbags, traction control, and electronic stability program.
No changes under the bonnet. This car continues to be powered by the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that develops a decent 68 hp with acceptable levels of refinement. It continues to be offered with a choice of a manual transmission or an AMT.
The Kwid does not offer much in terms of performance but it is a good car to get around town. It is compact enough to make its way through small lanes and can squeeze into tight spots when parking space is scarce. As before, there is also a lot of room inside the car for occupants and luggage when one takes into consideration just how small the Kwid is. At the end of my drive, the biggest positive for me was the remarkable ride quality.
A price tag of Rs 5.99 lakh (ex-showroom) may seem like a lot of money for a car of this size but it is still among the most affordable options available in the market. For what it is, the Kwid continues to offer almost everything first-time car-owners expect at an attractive price because the 2024 range starts from Rs 4.69 lakh while the Climber models begin at Rs 5.87 lakh (all prices ex-showroom).
Also Read: Renault Triber AMT Easy-R Drive Review
