By Malusi Msomi

The facelifted Renault Kiger 1.0 Techno manual remains one of the more budget-friendly offerings in the compact SUV segment. The latest update brings a few styling tweaks aimed at keeping the Kiger looking fresh in a competitive market.

Up front, the refreshed model features a slimmer grille with Renault’s updated logo, new alloy wheel designs, a redesigned skid plate, a revised tailgate and a new lighting signature. The Kiger has never lacked visual appeal and these changes help sharpen its look without altering the overall character of the car.

Interestingly, the front air openings are not purely cosmetic. They assist with cooling the engine while also helping improve air-conditioning circulation in the cabin.

Inside, the Kiger features an 8-inch floating touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat and a dual-tone interior layout. There is also a rather generous 710mm gap between the front seats, ideal if you prefer your personal space respected on longer drives.

The two-tone treatment across the seats, dashboard and door panels does lift the overall ambience. That said, the cabin still makes extensive use of plastics, which is expected at this price point.

Under the bonnet sits a naturally aspirated 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine producing 52kW and 96Nm, sending power to the front wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox.

On the road, the steering is light and easy to manage, making the Kiger a simple car to live with in everyday driving. The naturally aspirated engine does feel a bit strained, particularly up in Gauteng compared to the coast, which means you often have to work the gearbox to keep things moving. There is also noticeable wind noise at highway speeds, although this is fairly typical in this price bracket.

Renault claims 5.3L/100km, but by the end of our stint we averaged closer to 7L/100km, which feels more realistic in mixed driving conditions.

Verdict

At R244,999, the Renault Kiger 1.0 Techno remains one of the more accessible compact SUVs on the market. It offers distinctive styling, decent practicality and the elevated driving position buyers in this segment tend to look for.

Buyers shopping in this space will also likely consider alternatives such as the Nissan Magnite, Suzuki Fronx, Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet, all of which bring their own strengths to the table.

The Kiger may not be the most powerful or refined option in the segment, but it still presents itself as a stylish and practical entry point into the compact SUV world.