For a long time, Maruti and its Alto have been ruling the entry level segment without any real competition. A rank new entrant, the Renault Kwid became an instant hit last year. The car has already garnered 1.5 lakh bookings since its launch. What makes people choose the Kwid even after the initial hype has died down, and even though it comes with a long waiting period? We find out.
SUV looks
Compact hatchbacks look tad bit conventional. The Kwid comes with heavy bulges reciprocating the looks of SUVs. Indian customers love to drive big, bad vehicles but they make little sense in city traffic. The Kwid completes such wishes of being compact yet has a brutal muscular look. The ground clearance of 180mm with 155/80 section 13-inch tyres, which are largest section tyres in the segment, help the cause. Renault has done something very different with the Kwid and the market welcomed it very much.
Feature loaded
The car attracts the young buyers and is built perfectly to do the job. Kwid is the only car in the segment that features touchscreen infotainment system. The touch sensitive screen features navigation, Bluetooth, USB & Aux connectivity and of course, radio. The digital driver console is another capable instrument. The all-digital console can show you average fuel economy, distance to empty, and average speed to let you keep track of the things during your commute.
Great pricing
The Kwid starts at just Rs. 2.6 lakh, only Rs. 10,000 more than the Maruti Alto 800. The other competitor, Hyundai Eon is way more expensive than the Kwid. The hatchback offers a lot longer list of features and equipment for the price it comes for. Kwid is proving to be a tough competitor against the Alto 800 and the Eon and making them look overpriced.
Custom options
We love to personalize our cars and make it look unique. Renault is the only company that offers official customization in this segment. Without voiding any warranty, now you can get illuminated sill plate, side body cladding, roof rails, chrome finish on the bumper, fog lamps and various other places, bumper protector, and many other accessories. There is an option of applying different style of body graphics too. Renault also offers stylish 6-spoke alloy wheels with the Kwid.
Most fuel efficient car in the segment
The Kwid is powered by 799cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine that returns a maximum fuel efficiency of 25.17 km/l making it most efficient petrol car of the country. The engine generates a maximum power of 53.3 Bhp which is also higher than the Alto 800’s peak power. Renault has combined the looks with power and efficiency to make this winning product.