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2025 Renault Kiger facelift first drive review
2025 Renault Kiger facelift first drive review
Four years after its unveiling, Renault has now given the Kiger its first refresh. With this update, the compact SUV boasts sharper styling, a few additions to the interior, and more equipment than before. It continues with the same engine options, offers a CVT with both powerplants, and, with prices starting at ₹6.29 lakh (ex-showroom), remains competitively priced. However, with the competition having evolved significantly, does the updated Kiger have what it takes to stand out? Is it a car you should consider? And who is it really for? Let’s find out.
From afar, it’s easy to mistake the new Kiger facelift for its predecessor, because the styling changes are minimal and largely limited to the front end. There’s a new, slimmer grille featuring Renault’s updated 2D logo, along with LED DRLs, headlights and even fog lamps. The bumper has been reworked with new clusters for the lighting, and grey surrounds, giving the car a more butch look, while the bonnet is now slightly more muscular with a prominent notch.
On the sides, there are three main changes — a new design for the 16-inch alloys and red brake calipers, Turbo badging on the turbo-petrol variant, and the addition of cameras under the ORVMs for the 360-degree view system. The roof rails have been retained; they’re actually functional and can carry up to 50kg. Ground clearance remains a healthy 205mm and the Kiger also has a big 405-litre boot.
At the rear, the car now sports LED tail lamps with clear lenses, while the grey detailing continues on the lower section of the bumper, mirroring the front. The split spoiler has also been carried forward, lending the car a sporty touch. The Kiger is available in seven colours, including two new shades — Shadow Grey and Oasis Yellow, and I think the latter looks absolutely smashing.
Renault hasn’t drastically altered the design, and from a distance these updates may be hard to spot. That said, the Kiger has always stood out with its quirky styling, and these subtle tweaks only accentuate that uniqueness. Could Renault have done more? Perhaps. But even as a mild refresh, the Kiger facelift remains one of the best-looking cars in its segment, period.
Step inside and the first thing that catches your eye is the new two-tone grey-and-white upholstery with contrast yellow stitching, which feels more premium than before. Up front, Renault has added ventilated seats — which, in hot climate, is a feature you’ll genuinely appreciate.
Overall, the Kiger’s cabin feels roomy and welcoming. It’ll seat five adults in comfort, with ample legroom and generous headroom, even at the back — backing Renault's claim that it's the roomiest car in its class.
Kit-wise, the Kiger continues with a configurable digital instrument cluster, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, auto-dimming IRVM, two cleverly stacked gloveboxes and a drive mode selector. What's new though, are the automatic wipers and auto headlamps.
At the back, there’s a foldable centre armrest for extra comfort, dedicated air-con vents with a 12V socket underneath, and a flat floor that frees up more leg space. What’s missing are USB ports for the rear, and even up front you only get a single Type-A slot. The Kiger offers good, usable features, but it isn’t the most feature-loaded in its class, missing out on kit such as a sunroof and ADAS. The bigger concern, however, lies in the quality of fit and finish. This is an area where Renault should have stepped up, as the plastics feel substandard, with exposed screws in more than a few areas. The trim pieces don’t seem well put together, and the cabin gives the impression that it could start rattling after a year or two.
There are no changes under the hood. The Kiger continues to offer either a 1-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 72bhp and 96Nm, or a 1-litre turbo-petrol unit delivering 99bhp and 152Nm. Both are three-cylinder motors. The naturally aspirated engine has always felt a bit underpowered for the Kiger, so the turbo-petrol is the pick of the range — and it’s also genuinely good fun to drive.
What it lacks, however, is refinement. That becomes evident the moment you thumb the starter. It sounds gruff, and gets especially vocal past 4000rpm. In fact, it isn’t even as polished as other three-cylinder engines in this segment, like the ones in the Hyundai Venue or Kia Sonet. Renault claims this facelifted Kiger benefits from improved NVH levels, but I certainly didn’t feel that; road noise is still perceptible at highway speeds, which detracts from the overall experience. That said, the engine does deliver when it comes to performance. It has a strong mid-range, and once on the boil, feels surprisingly sprightly.
I drove the manual, and I reckon this is the combo to have — the turbo-petrol with the five-speed MT. It’s the most enthusiastic setup, and a real joy to drive. The Kiger offers three drive modes — Eco, Normal and Sport — and all three work as advertised. Eco feels flat and best suited for town use, Normal adds some punch, and Sport sharpens up throttle response noticeably. Renault also claims the Kiger boasts the best-in-class power-to-weight ratio and 0–100kmph time, and this turbo-petrol does feel strong in that regard.
The steering on the Kiger isn’t overly light at low speeds and carries good heft at higher speeds. It isn’t the most precise, but the weighting feels natural and confidence-inspiring. The clutch could have been lighter, but it’s not a deal breaker. The manual gearbox itself isn’t the slickest, but it works well with the drivetrain as a whole. There’s also a CVT option, and to my surprise, it pairs decently with the turbocharged mill thanks to the engine’s linear power delivery.
One area where the Kiger has always stood out is ride quality, and that remains unchanged. It takes bad roads in its stride and feels composed even over high-speed undulations. However, the relatively soft suspension does mean body roll is noticeable, particularly during quick lane changes and on tight twisties. If it had a stiffer chassis, it would've been one of the most enjoyable cars to drive, this side of ₹15 lakh.
The Kiger has always been a bit of an underdog in the compact SUV space, largely because of the badge it wears. Renault simply cannot match the after-sales and service network of its rivals, and that has made buyers hesitant to put their money on the Kiger. That’s a bit of a shame, because it is a fairly good car. The facelift only makes it better. It now looks sharper, more distinctive, and is sure to grab more eyeballs than most of its competition. It packs in plenty of usable kit, is roomy, comfortable, and offers good value. It’s also quite enjoyable to drive, though the engine could do with more refinement.
As things stand, the Kiger puts up a strong fight against its rivals, but it does have a few shortcomings. Fit and finish, as well as overall refinement, are areas Renault must improve if it wants the Kiger to be an easier recommendation in this crowded segment. The company does have big expansion plans for India, including a stronger network, which should only add to the Kiger’s appeal. For now, though, the Kiger is a solid buy for those on a budget — especially for someone upgrading from a hatchback and looking for a stylish compact SUV with all the essential kit one would ever need.
