Renault Kwid gets a makeover

Fresh off the heels of a class and overall win in the SA Economy Tour, Renault refreshes the Kwid with more than just some concealer.  I go to Gold Reef City to see what’s changed, and drive the range-topping Kwid Climber.

Exterior

The facelift on Renaults 2020 Kwid is one of the most extensive ones I’ve observed in my short time as a journalist.  The car takes a big leap forward in terms of styling and it wasn’t uncommon to see people staring on the highways or getting approached at shopping centres by interested onlookers.  The car now has LED’s upfront and at the rear and a fresh modern take while still looking unmistakably Kwid.

Have I just crashed and gone to heaven? Nope, Kwid’s just showing off those 2 front airbags

Under the skin

Most of the changes are inside and under the skin. Kwid now comes with two airbags, and ABS as standard. The car even has EBD.  And for those that are unfamiliar with Electronic Brake Distribution, it’s the system that keeps the car tidy in case of an aggressive swerving manoeuvre. This was one of Kwids major shortcomings in the past and has now been remedied.  The rear axle is also uprated and Kwid now has 14” wheels & tyres that are 10mm wider than before for improved road holding. 

Inside

Inside Kwid now has a fresh new cluster with new digital instrumentation. The infotainment system now also has Android Auto and Apple Carplay and the annoyingly high USB slot has been moved lower down.   Renault claims it’s now a fast charger and they’ve also included a 12V power socket at the rear. The steering wheel has been changed and the seat material too. It really is a proper upgrade on the previous model. Boot space is down slightly to 279 litres thanks to the bigger spare wheel but is still class-leading.

So how does it drive

On the road is where Kwid gets most of its points deducted but it’s not much. One has to take into consideration the target market of this car, and I’m not it.   The car felt a bit underpowered up on the reef, but I suspect the engine might be a tad tight too as our unit has less than 500km on the clock. Just like the older model and the Suzukis Ignis, the steering does not centre after tight corners. When I asked Akivan, our young Johannesburg scribe, and the man who clinched the win in the Economy Tour from behind the wheel of the Kwid, he said it was something he was easily able to adapt to and get used to.  Fuel economy is rated at between 4.4l/100 and 4.7l/100 and when you pull up to your destination, Kwid now offers PDC and rear camera, depending on which model you opt for. For those not wanting to swap cogs, an AMT version is also available.

Dare I say, Kwid looks more modern than most of its competitors

The hook

Kwid offers a value proposition that’s unmatched in the industry at the moment. 1 years insurance, a 2-year service plan and a 5-year warranty at a competitive price, it plugs the mobility hole in a way that no other car does. Which is why Renault will no doubt sell many of these safer versions. Expect to see one at your local shopping centre soon.

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– NEW Renault KWID CLIMBER AMT 1.0-litre SCe R 174 900