Renault Kiger CVT: What’s it?
The Kiger, Renault’s first crack on the compact SUV section, wowed us all when it arrived earlier this 12 months with its aggressive pricing and putting appears. The Kiger, which relies on the Alliance’s CMF-A+ platform, is on supply with two 1.0-litre engines. A 72hp, naturally-aspirated unit and a 100hp, turbocharged unit. Whereas we did get an opportunity to pattern the handbook gearbox-equipped turbo-petrol on the media drive, we couldn’t handle to get behind the wheel of the Kiger CVT, till now.
Entrance-end styling is paying homage to the Kwid; options LED headlights.
Since we’ve already reviewed the Kiger intimately, the main target of this overview will primarily be on the CVT transmission. You possibly can learn extra concerning the Kiger’s styling, inside, options and driving dynamics right here. However simply to present you an summary, the Kiger isn’t your typical boxy SUV. The Renault has a raked rear windscreen and a tapering roofline, lending it an virtually SUV-coupe like profile. It does seem like a beefed-up Kwid from sure angles, however total, it’s a sexy SUV.
There’s ample kneeroom and headroom on the again even for six-footers.
The dashboard has a clear design and there’s a larger give attention to storage and practicality, with ample pockets and compartments within the cabin. Materials high quality is appropriate for the worth however there nonetheless are some low lease bits just like the roof lining, solar visors and the inner rear-view mirror. The seating place is excessive, and the seats are fairly cozy and supportive. There’s ample kneeroom and headroom on supply on the again and the Kiger has a best-in-class 405-litre boot.
8-inch touchscreen will get wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.
On the gear entrance, the range-topping Kiger RXZ has an Arkamys 3D sound system, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wi-fi integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, automated local weather management with PM 2.5 filter, ambient lighting, driving modes and a cooled glove field. Security options embrace 4 airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child-seat mounts, a rear-view digital camera and parking sensors.
Renault Kiger CVT: What’s it wish to drive?
The Kiger CVT is offered solely with the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that places out 100hp and 152Nm of torque. Paired to the CVT ‘field, the turbo-petrol motor produces 8Nm lesser than within the handbook (160Nm). Nevertheless, the CVT makes its peak torque earlier and for a wider energy band, in comparison with the handbook. From behind the wheel, you received’t have the ability to inform the distinction in pulling energy. 
100hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is kind of punchy.
The engine, co-developed by Renault and Nissan, is comparatively quiet at idle, however you may really feel some vibrations from the three-cylinder motor contained in the cabin. Nevertheless, when you set off, the engine feels a lot smoother. The increase is available in at round 1,700rpm, however it does so with none distinguished spike in supply, as is the case with another turbocharged engines. It pulls strongly until about 5,500rpm, after which it tapers off within the final 1,000rpm and sounds fairly loud and coarse.
Whereas this engine all the time felt responsive paired with the handbook field, with the CVT automated it feels higher nonetheless. The Kiger CVT feels fairly sprightly off the road and builds up pace with confidence. What’s additionally good is that the flat spots within the engine’s energy supply are nicely masked by the CVT’s shift patterns. Its energy supply feels clean, linear and constant, and it additionally responds nicely to part-throttle inputs, making it ideally suited for city circumstances.
CVT ‘field does not get a Sport mode however does get a Low mode.
Whereas there isn’t any handbook mode or simulated ‘steps’ to shift by way of like in different CVTs, the Kiger CVT does get an L or Low mode that focuses on offering most torque, supposed for higher hill ascents or descents. As is the case with the handbook, the CVT additionally will get three drive modes – Regular, Eco and Sport, which alter the throttle response and to some extent, the steering too. The Kiger CVT positively feels most responsive and energetic within the Sport mode. It holds the engine at greater revs than regular for fast responses, and even if you’re driving flat out, there’s little or no rubber-band impact (a rise in revs with out a corresponding improve in pace) from the CVT. Nevertheless, Sport mode can get a bit too aggressive at instances, and also you require rigorously modulated throttle inputs at instances.
Eco mode, then again, feels way more restrictive. Half-throttle response is considerably dulled down, requiring you to press more durable on the accelerator to get going. Curiously, if you put your foot flat on the ground, the modes are overridden and the engine performs equally throughout them; this was additionally borne out in our efficiency checks.
The Kiger’s experience and dealing with steadiness is spectacular.
The Kiger additionally impresses with its experience and dealing with. This compact SUV’s experience has an underlying firmness to it however, it’s not jarring and likewise offers with unhealthy patches of street with relative ease. At freeway speeds too, the Kiger’s physique actions are nicely contained, and it feels fairly comfy cruising at near-triple-digit speeds. The Renault feels good across the corners as nicely, due to its good physique management and grip on supply. Nevertheless, what’s not so good is the cabin refinement. There’s loads of street, tyre and wind noise filtering by way of at excessive speeds and, at instances, you may even hear the suspension arduous at work.
The Kiger’s steering is mild and requires minimal effort to function at low speeds. It’s straightforward to manoeuvre and therefore feels proper at residence in metropolis confines. This, coupled with the comfort of the seamless CVT gearbox, makes the Kiger a really perfect city SUV.
Renault Kiger CVT: ought to I purchase one?
The Renault Kiger CVT on this top-spec RxZ trim is priced at Rs 9.89 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). For that cash, you get a compact SUV that’s good to take a look at, good to drive, comfy and spacious, and likewise nicely outfitted with options. Moreover, the CVT gearbox isn’t solely extra handy however it’s nicer to drive than the handbook, and it additionally doesn’t penalise gas effectivity a lot. The place the turbocharged, petrol-manual Kiger is rated at 20kpl (ARAI), the CVT claims 18.24kpl (ARAI). 
The Kiger CVT justifies the worth premium over its handbook counterpart.
Thus, the Kiger, even on this CVT guise, stays a very good value-for-money package deal and manages to undercut virtually all its opponents. It does so whereas additionally providing a extra refined CVT automated gearbox than a few of its dearer rivals’ AMT automatics. In conclusion, the CVT gearbox-equipped Kiger is certainly price the additional cash over the handbook, because it simply makes it really feel like a extra rounded package deal.
