Renault launched the Kwid hatchback in 2015 and due to its competitive pricing and amazing features, the car became an instant hit. It can be stated as a game-changing product for the French carmaker in the country. It retains the same set of petrol engines as the previous version but is still BS4 compliant. These include a 0.8-litre, 54PS/72Nm engine, and a 1.0-litre, 68PS/91Nm engine.
Renault has priced the Kwid from Rs 2.83 lakh to Rs 4.92 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The Renault Kwid is accessible in five major variants: Standard, RxL, RxE, RxT and Climber. On the outer side, it gets revamped exterior styling, which borrows bits from the City KZ-E electric hatchback. New bumpers, bigger 14-inch wheels, split-headlamps, higher ground clearance and a latest front grille are the most striking changes.
Renault Kwid has been a major factor in establishing the brand in India with more than three lakh units sold since its launch in 2015. So, the Kwid facelift has been released with major interior and exterior updates to make it look sporty on the outer side and premium on the inside. Renault Kwid's facelift will rival the likes of Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, Maruti Suzuki Alto K10, Datsun Redi-GO, and Maruti Suzuki S-Presso.
For the 2020 model year, the Renault Kwid has gone through several changes, major ones being:
Renault Kwid is available in a total of five different variants such as Standard, RxE, RxL, RxT, and Climber. In terms of pricing, Renault Kwid is tagged quite competitively which makes it one of the most alluring hatchbacks in the country. The Renault Kwid price starts from INR 2,83,000. The base variant of Kwid named Standard has been tagged at Rs. 2.83 lakh while Kwid RxE is available at the price tag of Rs. 3.53 lakh.
The Kwid RxL has been tagged at Rs. 3.83 lakh while the RxT variant is offered at the price tag of Rs. 4.13 lakh. Its top of the line variant Kwid Climber MT is tagged at Rs. 4.33 lakh.
Variants | Standard 0.8 | RXE 0.8 | RXL 0.8 | RXT 0.8 |
Price Manual (Ex-Delhi) in INR | 2,83,000 | 3,53,000 | 3,83,000 | 4,13,000 |
Key Features | Driver-side airbag | Decals on the side | Remote central locking | Rear parking camera |
ABS with EBD | Folding rear seat | Wheel covers for the 14-inch steel wheels | Passenger side front airbag (option) | |
Driver & passenger seat belt reminder | Manual AC | Body-coloured bumpers | Intermittent front wipers | |
Speed warning system | Two speakers (front) | Contrast wing mirrors | Chrome grille inserts | |
Engine immobilizer | Power steering | Blacked out B-pillar (1.0 only) | ||
Rear parking sensors | Front power windows | Creep function (AMT only) | ||
14-inch steel wheels with black hub caps | Single-DIN audio system with USB, Aux, and Bluetooth | Rear power windows (option) |
The Kwid is also available with Automatic gearbox in RxT and Climber variants, the pricing stated as Rs. 4.34 lakh and Rs. 4.6 lakh respectively.
The range-topping Climber variant is a great choice if you want your Kwid to stand out. But for most buyers, the RxT will do just fine – and save you a good Rs 21,000 too. We would recommend the add-on Option pack; the added safety of a passenger airbag is well worth the extra money. All said, our selection of the Renault Kwid facelift range will be 1.0-liter RxT (O) in AMT form.
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How does the Renault Kwid stand up against India's largest selling entry hatchback?
How is it different from its twin, the Datsun Redi-Go?
With BS6 emission norms set to take effect on April 1, 2020, it came as a surprise that Renault opted to launch the updated Kwid with the existing BS4-spec engines. On offer are 54hp, 0.8-litre and 68hp, 1.0-litre petrol engines. The 800cc engine provides very standard performance and is also sufficient for city utilization. The sprightlier 68hp, 1.0-litre Kwid is easily the better car to drive and is worth paying the extra money for.
A 5-speed manual gearbox is a standard fitment, however, the Kwid 1.0 also gets the option of a 5-speed AMT automatic 'box. You won’t have reason to complain about the manual, but city dwellers will find the Rs 30,000 premium on the AMT variant money well spent.
Models | Renault Kwid | Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 | Hyundai Eon | Datsun Redi-Go |
Price (Ex-Showroom Delhi) | Rs. 2.83 Lakhs | Rs. 5.53 Lakhs | Rs. 7.45 Lakhs | Rs. 5.87 Lakhs |
Engine (Petrol) | 1L SCe (Smart Control Efficiency) 3 cylinder | 0.8L 3-cylinder in-line FC petrol engine | 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine | 0.8-litre I-SAT 3-cylinder petrol engine |
Engine (Diesel) | - | - | - | - |
Transmission (Petrol) | 5 Speed Manual | 5 Speed Manual | 5 Speed Manual | 5 Speed Manual |
Transmission (Diesel) | - | - | - | - |
Power (bhp) | 53.3bhp @5678rpm | 58.3bhp @6000rpm | 55 Bhp @ 5500rpm | 53 bhp @5678rpm |
Torque | 72Nm @4386rpm | 78Nm @3500rpm | 76.5 Nm @ 4000 rpm | 72Nm @4386rpm |
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is a very powerful car and pumps about 67 hp and 90 Nm of torque and the organization claims an approx mileage of 24.07 kmpl. So, the car also gets the Maruti Suzuki AGS or auto-gear shift technology which also claims a similar mileage. The Kwid’s 1L engine additionally provides out 67 hp of power as well as 91 Nm of torque. The 1L engine on the Renault Kwid was released a few months later after the beginning of Kwid in the nation and has been one of the most winning cars for the organization.
Renault has fine-tuned the Kwid to make the most use of its powerful engine and they have pretty much succeeded in doing so. Kwid is the fastest in the lot-to reach the 100 kmph mark from nought. How does this car manage to be the fastest? Well, all thanks to Kwid’s lightweight chassis and smoother than ever gearshifts.
Also, the availability of a good amount of torque from lower RPMs helps the car to accelerate faster than any of its rivals. Tap the pedal hard and you might get a bit of a wheel spin even in the second gear. Impressive, huh?
Models | Renault Kwid | Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 | Hyundai Eon | Datsun Redi-Go |
0-100 KMPH | 16.14 sec | 13.3 sec | 21.1 sec | 15.9 sec |
Engine | 0.80 L 3-cylinder, 1.0 L 3-cylinder | 1.0-litre 67.1bhp 12V K Series Petrol engine | 800 L SOHC 3 Cylinder | 1.0 L 3-cylinder, 1.2 L 4-cylinder, 1.5 L 4-cylinder diesel |
Even with the most powerful engine, Datsun Redi GO lags behind the KWID by 0.24 seconds because of its hefty chassis. Hyundai EON being 40 Kgs heavier than the KWID’s only 4-door premium hatch stands 3rd in the list.
It's clear that the inherent DNA of the Renault cars has been transferred to the Kwid, in terms of its ride-and-handling prowess. On worse streets and even off-road, the Kwid was really comfortable and handled extremely well. The high ground clearance allowed us to take some liberties, and we even managed to get it on the beach to take some pictures. And despite its ride elevation, the body control is incredibly great as well.
Renault claims the fuel efficiency of the Kwid is 25.17 km/l, making it the most fuel-efficient car in the country. And the main reason for the spritely performance and its excellent ride-and-handling is the low weight of the car. The Renault workforce has spent a lot of time and effort in making this possible.
Its front wheels are fitted with a pair of disc brakes while the rear ones are affixed by the standard drum brakes. It is integrated with an electric power steering system that is good in terms of response, especially while in traffic.
When it comes to suspension, the front axle is coupled with McPherson strut with a lower transverse link. The rear axle has twist beam suspension with coil springs. This helps for better brake modulation even under hard braking, and even with its high stance, you won't feel a hint of nosedive.
Model | Renault KWID | Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 | Hyundai Eon | Datsun Redi-Go |
Front Brakes | Disc | Disc | Disc | Disc |
Rear Brakes | Drum | Drum | Drum | Drum |
Kerb Weight (kgs) | 755 | 762 | 740 | 680 |
All of the competitors have similar braking setup and weighs in at almost the same wavelength. So, they are identical in braking performance except forthe Alto 800 which unlike the others, is a low slung hatchback. It surely has the perks.
Fuel frugal and alongside a low level of CO2 Emission, the Kwid is both affordable to drive and responsive to the environment. It is a car that has SUV stylings without the higher fuel consumption, it is, in fact, the perfect car for those who want to be seen, but don’t want a car that costs the Earth. Renault KWID runs around 23 kilometres in a litre of fuel.
The lower curb weight of the vehicle and an efficient engine makes it the king of efficiency in its segment. Although the car gets the smallest fuel tank you can still travel up to 644 km once it is full.
Model | Renault KWID | Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 | Hyundai Eon | Datsun Redi-Go |
Mileage (Kmpl) | 23 | 32.26 | 21 | 23 |
Fuel Tank Capacity (litres) | 28 | 60 | 32 | 28 |
Range (km) | 644 | 1092 | 672 | 644 |
Looking at the rivals, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 offers the longest travel distance in lieu of its tank capacity of 60 litres, which is the largest in the competition.
The exterior design of the Kwid will definitely invite a second look. Its class-leading ground clearance combined with short front and rear overhangs exudes an impression of strength, reliability and the look associated with SUVs.
The boldly structured front grille design features Renault's trademark diamond-shaped logo when the headlights add in Renault's new lighting signature along with the C-shaped chrome trim. The stylish fog lights further boost the Renault car's striking position. The chiselled muscular front end flows into an active profile accentuated through turn indicators on the fender cladding.
Model | Renault KWID | Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 | Hyundai Eon | Datsun Redi-Go |
Kerb weight (kgs) | 755 | 762 | 740 | 680 |
Length (mm) | 3731 | 3545 | 3495 | 3429 |
Width (mm) | 1579 | 1515 | 1550 | 1560 |
Height (mm) | 1474 | 1475 | 1550 | 1541 |
Ground Clearance (mm) | 180 | 160 | 170 | 185 |
Wheelbase (mm) | 2422 | 2360 | 2380 | 2348 |
The Kwid facelift comes along with an SUV-intended design, sports and a refurbished chrome grille. There is an incredible split headlamp set up alongside the foremost unit placed on the bumper and grille reconciling into the silver streak DRLs. The tail lamps acquire C-shaped LED light guides. The boomerang-shaped sculpted roof appears with roof rails as well as an integrated roof spoiler. Various other features like dual-tone ORVMs, wheel arch claddings, side decals, 14-inch volcano grey multi-spoke wheels as well as SUV skid plates.
Exterior Features:
Being an affordable and innovative entry-level vehicle, the new Kwid overturns established entry part structure cues thanks to its vigorous, stylish exterior along with a modern and attractive interior equipped alongside generous cabin room as well as fitments and features normally unattainable in its category.
Getting in and out of the Renault Kwid is easy as the doors open quite wide. Enter the cabin and the first thing you’ll notice is the orange accented theme which and 7-inch infotainment sitting on the dash and everything is well-laid out. Oh well, it’s aesthetically pleasing to the eyes!
The seat cushioning is hard and the under-thigh support is not so great and you’ll feel fatigued over longer rides. The car isn’t wide enough and it’ll be tough to accommodating 3 at the rear.
Model | Renault KWID | Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 | Hyundai Eon | Datsun Redi-Go |
Passenger Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
With its appealing design and an array of equipment, the new KWID hatchback remains a viable offering which is sure to meet the needs of anyone looking to buy an entry-level car. The Kwid offers a modern, intuitive interior, which includes technologies that not only meet drivers' needs but also make driving simpler and safer.
The Renault Kwid has changed the way people look at small cars. Gone are the periods when your first vehicle could be completely boring as well as spartan on the inside. Known as ‘MediaNAV’, the touchscreen infotainment system on the stylish and appealing Kwid comes with various features and functions like, navigation alongside turn-by-turn voice recognition, hands-free telephony, Bluetooth audio streaming, and even speed-sensing volume adjust.
There are USB and AUX-In ports as well. Although, all variants of the Kwid get Renault’s incredible Digital instrument cluster, which offers accurate data in an uncluttered and easy-to-read manner. The digital speedometer makes it adhering to enforced speed limits easy as it is way more accurate than the analogue speedometer found in other cars in its class.
On the dash of Kwid sits 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment that Renault proudly calls the Smartplay Studio system. The infotainment is pretty tech intuitive with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation and voice-command activation but seems to respond late on touch and swipes. A smoother UI would have made it one of the best in its class.
Infotainment Features:
Interior Features:
While selecting a car to get, boot space accounts together of the foremost important factors to think about. For those that need to travel frequently with family and tons of bags, buying a car with decent boot space is extremely crucial, so that they don’t have to compromise on luggage every time they travel. If the spacious boot is on your checklist and you are looking for a hatch, then Renault Kwid is a great option.
Renault has done a brilliant job with the design of Kwid, with its SUV-like design and sport interiors as well as exteriors. With a large boot space of 300 litres, it is considered as the best among its competitors in terms of boot space.
Model | Renault KWID | Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 | Hyundai Eon | Datsun Redi-Go |
Cargo Volume (litres) | 279 | 177 | 226 | 222 |
The Kwid's cargo carrying capacity is not only the biggest when compared to its rivals, but it's also better than cars like the Hyundai Grand i10 (256 litres) and the Maruti Suzuki Swift (268 litres). As you can see, the Kwid offers a generous boot space of 300-litres, which is more than cars around and well over its price band.
Renault India has released an upgraded variant of Kwid with increased safety functions across all the versions of the admired hatchback. The new add-ons have been made without any further costs. The company has added safety features like ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), driver airbag, driver and co-driver seat belt reminder and speed alert in all the Kwid-variants. The upgraded version also complies with pedestrian safety regulations.
The ASEAN NCAP has awarded zero stars to the Renault Kwid in its latest safety crash test rating. ASEAN NCAP examined the car for this 3rd quarter and Kwid got a total score of 24.68 points. This is additionally the primary assessment by ASEAN NCAP of the Renault model.
The KWID became an overnight success when it was launched and even managed to outsell the oldest, and most successful car for a couple of months. However, that success was short-lived, and the Alto roared back. While the KWID may come across as a better product, Renault is still a notch behind Maruti Suzuki, in terms of service network and cost of spares.
While the KWID comes across as a more sophisticated product, it is actually the Eon, that boasts of better interior quality and overall finesse too, is a notch above. Again, in terms of Service Network, Hyundai is miles ahead of Renault.
Both these cars share the same underpinnings, and it’s hard to pick the better of the two! With the refresh, the new KWID surely looks more upmarket. Add to that better fuel economy numbers and a humongous boot, the KWID comes across as a better product.
Kwid is one of the best-selling models for Renault in the Indian market. The SUV-ish stance, upright design and large ground clearance of the Kwid makes it an attractive offering in the entry-level hatchback segment. This combined with the long list of features and equipment makes it perfectly suited for first-time car buyers in the Indian market.
Kwid comes loaded with features to the brim but you might miss some more from Renault in the safety department. Even the interior might not match that of what competitors have on offer but the driving pleasure of Kwid is unmatched. Also, considering the fuel efficiency that Renault Kwid offers, we don’t complain much about the car as a whole.