Renault has carved a niche for itself in the Indian automobile market with innovative and bold designs, especially in the compact car segment. The most successful models that Renault has produced would be the KWID small hatchback, which once made history in the entry-level car category.
Its SUV-inspired styling, feature-packed interiors, and competitive pricing have positioned it as one of India’s best-selling hatchbacks.
Renault KWID is an affordable car designed exclusively for the first-time buyer, with a perfect blend of practicality, style, and technology at an unbeatable price. In this article, we delve deep into the design, features from interior to the engine performance and safety norms that made KWID so popular in India’s hot entry-level market.
Bold SUV-Inspired Design
What characterizes the Renault KWID is this SUV-inspired design. Renault has strangely imbued the KWID with an aggressive stance that puts it almost more than in a league of rugged, hefted substance above most of its competitors at this price point.
Exterior Styling:
The chrome-accented grille looks very striking, and the front of the KWID is very well presented. Its aggressive ‘SUV-like front bumper’ with its muscular outline contributes to its overall appeal.
Split headlamp design: This feature really gives the KWID a modern look. Sleek LED DRLs- or Daytime Running Lights, positioned above the headlamps add glamour. The Main Headlamps integrated into the bumper continue to give the SUV feel:.
– With a ground clearance of 184mm, the KWID is poised to drive through the poor roads and speed bumps that abound, especially around city and country roads, but that is very practical indeed. Mated with the body cladding around the wheel arches, it gives an off-road ready look to the KWID even though the intended use would be purely an urban one.
– The rear view as beautiful with C-shaped LED tail lamps and nice art of tailgate. Sporty rear bumper and roof-mounted spoiler carry off the look of this hatchback quite well.
Dimensions:
– The tall stance and wide track of the Renault KWID make it look more extended than its compact size. The car has a length of 3,731mm that facilitates easy movement in congested city streets, and the 1,579mm width is adequate for interior composure.
Colors:
The KWID is available in a variety of vibrant colours, including Zanskar Blue, Fiery Red, and Moonlight Silver, to appeal to younger buyers who would want the car to make an impact or be seen as fashionable.
Interior and Technology: Affordable yet Advanced –
The KWID features an interior with offerings of more space and features than one would expect from a car in this price range. Renault has done an excellent job with making the KWID feel premium, despite being a hatchback entry-level.
Interior design:
– Cabin of KWID Thoughtfully designed cabin with a modern design of the dashboard. The dashboard is of dual tone which creates an illusion of space inside and quality material used gives the interior a refined finish.
– Its chairs are highly cushioned. That means extraordinary support for both the rear and front passengers. They come upholstered in very durable materials that are a breeze to clean, so again, it’s a bonus with families and people who use the car for daily commutes.
Infotainment and Connectivity:
– The KWID comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. Given the price segment, this is a rarity in itself and allows for smartphone integration that is intuitive in nature so that navigating, listening to music, and making calls all become intuitive motions.
– The MediaNAV Evolution system is user-friendly and possesses a feature of Bluetooth, USB, and AUX connectivity. It also increases the interior with a massive and responsive screen which makes KWID stand tall above its competition.
– The digital instrument cluster is another feature, where it comes with such adequate necessities like speed, fuel level, and distance-to-empty in crisp and clear format.
Comfort and Space:
Surprisingly given its small dimensions, the Renault KWID also has good interior space. The car has ample headroom due to its tall stance, and there is decent legroom for rear passengers thanks to a long wheelbase.
– KWID is outstanding in terms of beneficial stowage possibilities. This includes room in the rather spacious glovebox, pocket door bags, and the cup holders. Its capacity of 279 liters is one of the most generous in this class, as it is also ideal for weekend excursions or traveling with luggage. When both rear seats are folded, it allows even more leeway at 620 liters.
Other comfort features include power windows, remote keyless entry and manual air conditioning, which enhance the ride experience.
Engine and Performance: Efficiency at Its Core –
The Renault KWID comes with two options for petrol engines designed to deliver a balance of performance and fuel efficiency – both for city commutes and highway drives. Later, I’ll break down those engine options:
Engine Options:
The KWID can be had with a 0.8-liter 3-cylinder petrol engine as well as a more powerful 1.0-liter 3-cylinder petrol engine. The 0.8-liter delivers 54 bhp and 72 Nm of torque, while the 1.0-liter goes up to 67 bhp and 91 Nm of torque.
Two engines are available. The car is offered with a 5-speed manual transmission. Notably, the 1.0-liter engine is also available in the more driver-friendly package – 5-speed AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) for those who appreciate the driving convenience of an automatic transmission.
Fuel Efficiency:
One of the striking features of the Renault KWID is its excellent mileage. Its 0.8-liter version gives a mileage of around 22-23 km/l, while the 1.0-liter version gives mileage of 21-22 km/l. This makes the KWID one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the market, and that is a pretty significant reason why someone would spend money for a small car from a relatively small brand in India.
Driving Dynamics:
– The KWID is a city car, after all, so light steering and compact dimensions make it as easy to maneuver through traffic and small parking spots as one could hope for. In the suspension setup the car ensures a smooth ride, even on bumpy roads. Its high ground clearance lets it deal with minor off-road conditions without issues whatsoever.
Safety Features: Built to Have Your Back –
Renault has actually equipped the KWID with all the required safety features to ensure that it strictly meets the new safety standards and provides drivers and passengers with the kind of security they want.
Standard Safety Features:
– The KWID comes with a generous setup of standard safety features, such as dual front airbags, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), along with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), and rear parking sensors as standard fitting on all variants.
– It is also accompanied by a seatbelt reminder, the speed alert system, and central locking for added safety.
Structural Safety:
– KWID is based on the CMF-A platform from Renault, which is designed to be safe worldwide. High-strength steel has been adopted for critical parts in the body so that impact forces may be absorbed in a collision and is safer to be in for the occupants.
Extra Safety Features:
– Higher variants of KWID come equipped with a rear view camera with lines, which makes parking in tricky spots much easier. Driver and passenger seatbelt pre-tensioners enhance safety offerings in this package.
Competition and Pricing: Standing Tall in a Crowded Segment –
It falls in the entry-level hatchback segment, competing with Maruti Suzuki Alto, Hyundai Santro, and Datsun redi-GO. Despite severe competition, the KWID has an edge due to unique SUV-inspired design, spacious interior, and high fuel efficiency.
Price:
– The KWID is an affordable car, as starting from the base model price ₹4.70 lakh ex-showroom. Higher models with additional features like the infotainment display touch screen and reverse parking camera are also offered at ₹6.33 lakh.
This will definitely make the KWID a perfect bet for customers who come to market as first-time buyers with some additional features in their car without going overboard.
After-Sales Service of Renault
– The French manufacturer has a 2-year/50,000 km warranty that may be extended at extra cost. The brand boasts a sound and growing service network within India to ensure that maintaining or repairing the car remains accessible and inexpensive.
The Renault KWID, though relatively being a fresh entrant in the Indian market, has not only redefined what an entry-level car can offer but also fits the criteria of very well-rounded offerings within its segment.
With SUV-inspired design, feature-packed interior, efficient engine options, and competitive pricing, it manages to be one of the most rounded vehicles in the market. Be it style or practicality or affordability, the Renault KWID fits perfectly on all counts for urban commuters and first-time car buyers.
By changing the KWID continuously with new features and improvements, Renault is still very much in the compact hatchback market. Be it a rugged design touch to complement an urban setting or fuel efficiency coupled with modern frills, the Renault KWID comes through as a smart and stylishly positioned option for the budget-conscious Indian buyer.
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