Page 22 - Motoring Summer 2021

TEST REVIEW RENAULT

Renault Kiger 1.0T Intens CVT

nother week, another Crossover/SUV.
With this market segment currently
Aaccounting for around 40% of new
vehicle sales, it’s no surprise that more and
more manufacturers are looking for a slice of
this lucrative pie.
This time, it’s the turn of the very
recently launched Renault Kiger. With the
worldwide Renault and Nissan alliance, there
are many similarities to the Nissan Magnite
which shares the same platform and engine.
Yet, the Renault version shows many points
of individuality and, of course, some typically
French touches as well.
Starting with the engine and drivetrain,
the Kiger uses the familiar 1l 3-cylinder
petrol engine. Base models use a non-turbo
version and upper models, as tested, add
a turbo to the recipe. Although I have not The boot is large but has a very high sill. This should be taken into account if you plan to load
driven the naturally aspirated version, it is heavy items that will then have to be lifted up and over the sill. The rear seats are split 60/40 to
clear that performance is leisurely to say extend the load area.
the least in this case. In the turbo version, One point that I really dislike (although this is not unique to this car) is that the full size spare
there’s some lag on pull-off but it then gets a wheel under the boot board is a 15” item whereas the wheels on the car are 16”. I have never
good shove as the turbo kicks in. 74kW and been able to understand why numerous manufacturers provide this in new cars.
160Nm provides performance that delivers Fuel economy for the test period was 7.2l/100km. This was made up of urban and freeway driving
reasonable overtaking ability at freeway only without our usual open road trip, so I think this figure is quite acceptable for most owners.
speeds. Overall, the Kiger was comfortable and easy to drive and live with. The top version provides
The test car was the range topping model an excellent spec level for the price and category.
fitted with a CVT automatic transmission The current price as tested is R289 900, with the Kiger range starting at R199 900.
sending power to the front wheels. When A 3-year/45 000km service plan is included. n
driven as intended, the gearbox is smooth
and comfortable. If you try to rush the Click here for our full video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dncOD3V09Qg
vehicle, the ‘shifts’ from the CVT become a
bit harsh but I must emphasise that this is
not a vehicle designed for spirited driving.
The Kiger provides a drivetrain selection
that offers Eco, normal or sport modes.
I often find that these make very little
difference in more average vehicles. In this
case, there is a marked change in response
in each mode, although I would reserve Eco
mode for use on long trips only. I would also
plan overtaking manoeuvres and then shift
into normal or sport mode.
As a top model, the Kiger Intens has
many items like LED head and tail lights, 16”
alloys, auto air-conditioning, infotainment
screen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto,
dual gloveboxes with the lower box being
cooled, and a rear 12V socket.

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