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2021 Renault Kiger revealed for India, Australian launch unlikely

Baby SUV unveiled for India, though Australian plans likely remain off the table.


The 2021 Renault Kiger has been revealed for India.

First previewed by the Kiger Concept unveiled in November 2020, the production Kiger slots into Renault's Indian line-up as another pint-sized SUV, alongside the existing Kwid, Triber and Duster – the lattermost traditionally seen in other markets wearing Dacia badges.

Measuring 3991mm long, 1750mm wide and 1600mm high (with a 2500mm wheelbase), the Kiger is 49mm shorter than an Australian-delivered Hyundai Venue, and 189mm shorter than a Toyota Yaris Cross.

On the styling front, the production SUV is a toned-down version of its concept namesake, losing the show car's green highlights and futuristic LED accent strips, but retaining its upright shape and rising window line.

Up front, split headlights – with the daytime-running lights up top, and the main headlight beams below – flank a '3D effect' grille, while, towards the rear styling highlights include a sporty roof spoiler, C-shaped LED tail-lights and a large metallic skid plate.

A set of 16-inch alloy wheels fill the arches on top-spec models, wrapped in 195/60 profile tyres – a significant departure from the concept's 19-inch rolling stock.

Inside, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto sits atop the dashboard, while higher-grade models feature a 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster display with configurable modes showing everything from fuel consumption to power and torque use percentages.

Other available interior features include automatic climate control, ambient LED lighting, a PM2.5 cabin air filter, a reversing camera and an eight-speaker Arkamys Auditorium sound system.

Boot space behind the rear seats is rated at 405 litres, expanding to 879 litres with the second row folded.

Under the skin, the Renault Kiger shares its Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance-developed CMF-A+ platform with the Triber, and as a result shares its similarly-sized sibling's range of powertrains.

Opening the range is a 1.0-litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine developing 53kW of power and 96Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels through a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed robotised manual (automatic) gearboxes.

Buyers can 'step up' to a 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder, producing 74kW and 160Nm. It's mated to a choice of five-speed manual or CVT automatic transmissions.

The 2021 Renault Kiger will launch first in India, with Renault promising an "international debut" will follow – though which other countries the Kiger will be sold in remains unclear.

One market where the baby SUV likely won't be sold is Australia, given the Kiger's Indian focus and low price means it's unlikely to pass Australian crash test standards.

Should it be legal for sale in Australia, its assortment of just four airbags, a two-point lap belt for the centre rear seat, and lack of advanced safety features such as autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assist and a front centre airbag would rule the Kiger out from a four-star, let alone five-star rating under 2020/21 ANCAP test criteria.

Renault Australia will instead look to the European-sourced Captur to fill a small SUV-sized hole in its local line-up, a new-generation model of which is expected to arrive locally in the coming months.


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Alex Misoyannis

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.

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