Best-selling Renault Kwid comprehensively updated

Some 27 000 Kwid models have found homes in just three years making this budget car, one of the best-selling passenger cars in the country.  My feelings surrounding the Kwid have been rather apparent in recent years with the product’s lack of safety credentials, poor quality and lack of stability at highway speeds, all contributing to my concerns. The Kwid has now been updated though, and I attended the media event in Johannesburg recently to see if some of these issues have been addressed.

Updated styling

With mini-crossover aesthetics, the Kwid has been a hit with consumers, a trend likely to continue with the upgraded model. Upfront there’s an entirely new design, featuring a new grille, split headlamps with Daytime Running Lights at atop and the headlamps housed below, conforming to the brand’s latest design language. There are also larger 14-inch wheels, with rather convincing hubcaps, while at the rear there are new LED taillights.

Interior updates

The interior has also received a raft of enhancements, most notably, the 8.0-inch infotainment system from other Renault products. It provides Kwid owners with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility along with a reverse camera on higher-spec models. There is also a newly designed steering wheel and a digital instrument cluster that looks far better than the orange-lit item from the original car. The higher-spec models also come with rear electric windows and an additional 12V socket at the rear while the top-spec Climber variant gets newly covered seats and more colourful interior accents.

More safety kit

Safety has been the buzz word surrounding the Kwid ever since footage emerged of the pre-facelift version achieving a one-star rating in the Global NCAP safety test back in 2016. Various India-based publications have reported that the 2019 Kwid has received structural reinforcements to the front and side of the vehicle ahead of a more stringent vehicle safety regulations coming into effect in India. This would improve the Kwid’s crash test rating, however, there have been no crash test results released as of yet and Renault South Africa has yet to confirm if these structural upgrades, which add around 40kg to the kerb weight, have been made to the local models. The Kwid now comes with a passenger airbag in addition to the driver’s side item which was introduced previously. The range maintains ABS with EBD as before but adds features such as a seatbelt reminder along with a revised rear axle, which is claimed to improve stability at speed.

Driving Kwid

Hopping back inside a Kwid, particularly in top-spec Climber guise, after a six-month hiatus, a few things became apparent, the fit and finish were respectable and the standard specification was impressive for a budget machine. There is very little space between your shoulder and the front door while the perched seating position may be an issue for taller drivers, and the new rear axle has resulted in a smaller 279-litre boot too.

When on-the-go, the Kwid feels improved in terms of stability, however, it is still far from confidence-inspiring in a crosswind. Under the bonnet is the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 50 kW and 91 N.m on offer. With the air conditioner turned on, pulling off on an incline up at the reef is a challenge too; however, inner-city driving below the 80km/h mark is where the Kwid feels best, that being said, key rivals are also a doddle to drive in town. The Kwid retains its impressive-for-the-segment 180mm of ground clearance, but is now bested by the Hyundai Atos, Suzuki Celerio and Peugeot’s 108 as far as city driving credentials go. There is an AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) available in all Kwid variants, but I found the gearbox to be dim-witted, meaning that the five-speed manual is likely your best bet.

Verdict

As an automotive journalist, it is not ethical for me to recommend the Kwid to my readers before seeing the updated crash test safety rating, especially considering that this is targeted at first time buyers. I understand that many people purchasing the Kwid will be coming from public transport, which is more unsafe; however, there is the option of a safer, pre-owned car, such as a Renault Sandero, from the same stable. There are also rivals such as the new Hyundai Atos (achieved two-stars as the Hyundai Santro in India) or the three-star safety rated Suzuki Celerio that offer better safety credentials, despite not having the same sort of specification as the Kwid.

Service plan and warranty

All Kwid models come with a two-year service plan, one years’ worth of insurance coverage and a five-year/150 000km warranty.

Pricing

Kwid Expression R 144 900

Kwid Expression AMT R 154 900

Kwid Dynamique R 154 900

Kwid Dynamique AMT R 164 900

Kwid Climber R 164 900

Kwid Climber AMT R 174 900