43-yr-old finds his Renault Kiger CVT to be the perfect car for him

It is one of those cars that make you feel young while driving. As for the fuel efficiency, it has increased to 8 km/l in the city.

BHPian jomyboy recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

6-month review of my 2023 Renault Kiger CVT

Before I start off with my experience, I just want to begin by saying one good car or one bad one does not make or break the car. I know there are some who have had genuine heartaches with their ownership experience and others who go about voicing their displeasure about a budget segment car as though it’s a car lining up to race in a Formula 1 championship. I knew what I was getting into when I bought it and I am happy to say it has fit the bill as the perfect car that does everything for me right from being a pickup truck to wanting to be a race car. It has been an amazing experience and I think the world of my car.

It’s been almost six months now since we bought the car and we are just about 100-200 km shy of reaching the 5000 mark. The car has been nothing short of fantastic driving-wise and I would suggest people to ward off from reading and watching old reviews of the car, even the Team-BHP review is of a backdated model.

The 2023 version is leaps and bounds over its predecessor and it has been pretty smooth sailing driving-wise till now. It has got a stylish design, turbo power, and ease of driving in town and to top it all it's pretty easy to park and manoeuvre in city traffic. It was the best car out there when I went shopping in the market and now six months down the line, I am more than convinced that for its price, it definitely is still the car of the year going into 2024!

The problem this car has had is that with its base version at 6 lakhs, which has dug into the aspirations of people wanting to own a big car, they are now living with the harsh reality of what a six-odd lakhs car can give.

Now I am sure niggles will crop up as it gets a year or two older, but right now I have no issues recommending to buy this car, but please do not buy this car if:

• The first thing on your mind when you are buying a new car is its resale value.
• Buying a turbo and you are expecting Celerio-type fuel efficiency.
• Buying a three-pot cylinder and looking forward to engine refinement; it vibes dude, all three pots vibe, get over it!

Looks:

I do not add pictures of my car now as I haven't done anything new to its exterior from my last review. The lines on the bonnet definitely give it a masculine and sporty look. The front view of this car is something that captivated me when I first saw it on the road and it is the only car that I have seen in this price bracket that has more curves than the boxy design which other cars seem to have incorporated. This car is beautifully designed and has a beautiful European flair to it – one of those cars that make you feel young when you are driving it: the perfect dose of adrenaline shot to commemorate your 40s, pure excitement!

Sports mode:

I have had the chance to use the sports mode now and then and frankly I was absolutely floored to the core! It is insane to have this amount of power within city limits. The car has 99 bhp on paper, but because of its low weight, its power delivery is much better than its rivals with the same 3-cylinder 1-litre engine so much so that with the keys in my pocket I have started calling it a “rocket in my pocket.”

Secondly, the driving ergonomics is so freaking good, you just cannot complain. I fail to fathom how anyone can find any fault with the turbo version. DO NOT GO BY REVIEWS ON YOUTUBE!! Test drive yourself and this car is peppier than any other car in its class going from 0 to 20, which on Mumbai roads is like manna from heaven especially given the horrific traffic, and once you get to 70-80 the car just drives beautifully and no matter what undulation gets thrown at its suspension, the car dutifully holds its line.

For all the people complaining about plastics and fit quality, I say nothing competes with the car’s mechanicals and the Kiger scores very high on the front.

Fuel Efficiency:

Having had the first service done and now that the rains have eased away, the fuel economy has increased to 8 in the city, but I have also noticed that driving without the AC on and at a constant 70-80 km/hr, it does give me above 20 driving at night, but you do need a certain driving style and clearer roads to achieve those figures.

Android Auto and Apple Carplay:

After the initial disappointment with getting the phones connected through Bluetooth, not once has the connection lagged or disconnected. I have seen others having problems with theirs, so just a special mention of this prized feature which I was shocked to experience getting our iPhone connected to Carplay even without the Bluetooth or wifi switched on!

Past complaints:

The brake noise that I had earlier observed has also subsided. It’s noticeable now and then, but it was never a big problem in the first place. I suggest people to get over the noise and live with it.

While the fit and quality of the front parking sensors leaves a lot to be desired, it still gets the job done when you really need it. I am happy that I had installed it; it has served its purpose at times pretty accurately.

The blind spot is a sore point. It is the only “big con" in an otherwise great car. I have had a few close shaves, one too many for my liking and there is just no way out of that. It is the only reason I would say to hold back on buying this car.

Though the design element of the tri-LED setup is beautiful, I wish the throw of the lights was a little bit better. Without the high beam, I would not have the confidence to drive this car on the highways.

Some things to look forward to in 2024:

I look forward to, if Renault offers it, getting the Smart Mirror Monitor. I would have already installed an aftermarket dashcam, but I have been told to wait as Renault will offer it as an accessory in time. An IRVM that doubles up as a video screen as well, how cool is that?

This is a car that has its own niggles and rattles, but no car is perfect, but hey if you own this car I’m sure despite its shortcomings you wouldn’t call it anything less than a rocket in your pocket. Looking forward to my one-year review in six months' time, but till then, au revoir!

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