By Prashirwin Naidu
When the invite for the facelifted Renault Kiger launch landed on my desk, I was keen, caffeinated, and ready for another escape into the world of new-car reveals. What I wasn’t prepared for was a red-eye flight that left me questioning both my life choices and the ergonomics of aeroplane seats by the time evening rolled in.
By 06:00, I was buckled into my seat at OR Tambo, armed with airport coffee and a modest dose of optimism. Having woken up at 02:00 owing to a mix of anxiety about oversleeping, missing my flight, and navigating pre-dawn airport security, I’d convinced myself I’d sleep through the two-hour journey to Cape Town. Reality, however, had other plans. Airline seats and comfort rarely coexist, and I spent the entire flight wide awake, shifting endlessly in search of a comfortable sitting position.
Touching down in the Mother City, my colleagues and I made our way straight to the briefing room to hear all about Renault’s refreshed compact SUV. The Kiger has long been an important volume seller for the French marque in South Africa, even as the brand itself has kept a relatively low profile in recent years. This facelift, then, lands with a fair bit of expectation resting on its shoulders.
Meet the refreshed Kiger
Renault has simplified the Kiger line-up with a new global trim structure, with Evolution and Techno replacing the familiar Zen, Life, and Intens badges. The facelift is quite substantial. In person, the Kiger looks sharper, chunkier, and far more assertive than the model that arrived here in 2021 to replace the ageing Sandero. With monthly sales averaging around 700 units, Renault is clearly banking on these updates to keep the momentum going.
Under the bonnet, things remain largely unchanged. The range still starts with a naturally aspirated 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, paired with either a five-speed manual or Renault’s Easy-R automated manual transmission. And it’s here, unfortunately, that the shine begins to fade.
The drive:
On the drive to Asara Wine Estate, my four colleagues and I found ourselves coaxing, urging; practically cheering the Kiger Techno along. Asthmatic was the word that kept coming to mind. The five-speed manual gearbox is light and easy enough to manage, but the engine simply lacks punch. Out on the open road, its sluggishness becomes impossible to ignore. I even caught myself comparing it to the Suzuki Swift, a smaller car that somehow feels far more eager and energetic, and wishing I were in it instead of the Kiger.
Still, the Kiger redeems itself with everyday usability. Our fuel consumption averaged 7.0 L/100 km during the urban sections — not class-leading, but respectable for a compact SUV. And when it comes to space, it’s genuinely impressive.
Looks, interior and space
Stylistically, the Kiger leans confidently into its French flair. The new black grille, grey skid plate, and tri-octa LED headlights give it a fresher, more modern face. It’s a genuinely handsome little SUV in the metal, and Renault’s design team deserves full credit for that.
The entry-level Evolution model is surprisingly well equipped, featuring a two-tone dashboard, light leatherette upholstery, and both front and rear air vents. You also get the convenience of automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers. Renault has added a few thoughtful touches too — a cooled glovebox, a smart key that unlocks as you approach, push-button start, and a digital speedometer replacing the old analogue cluster.
The infotainment system, an eight-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, feels a touch dated, yet it does what it needs to without complication. A six-speaker Arkamys sound system handles audio duties, and though there are multiple USB ports, Renault missed the memo on including Type-C.
On a positive note, the cabin is dotted with generous storage solutions. All four of our bags slipped into the boot without any fuss. Safety in the Kiger hits comes in the form of electronic stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Verdict:
Overall, the facelifted Renault Kiger is a neat, well-priced package—practical, spacious, and easy to live with. But its Achilles’ heel remains the same: it simply needs more power. For anyone craving spirited performance, it might feel like a compromise.
Pricing for the updated Renault Kiger remains one of its strongest drawcards. The range starts at R219 999 for the Evolution manual, stepping up to R244 999 for the better-equipped Techno manual model. At the top of the line sits the Techno AMT at R254 999.
Functional? Absolutely. Exciting? Not quite.
