Second report: The Kiger CVT is one relaxed commuter and makes the driving force lazier by the day.
The shiny crimson Kiger CVT has been my every day driver for over two months now, although I used to be already fairly aware of Renault’s compact SUV as previous to this I used to be driving the Kiger outfitted with a five-speed guide gearbox.
The Kiger’s design is sharp in any exterior shade. Be it the blue on my earlier long-termer or the dual-tone crimson and black on this CVT, the SUV continues to assemble reward for its seems to be. However in the case of driving, each are fairly completely different. The CVT gearbox takes a while to get going, however after that, it shifts effortlessly and acceleration is kind of linear, particularly for a Turbo – in contrast to the change in efficiency within the guide model when the turbo kicked in. Although the sleek computerized gearbox is a boon to drive in Mumbai site visitors, the absence of a clutch pedal makes me really feel a little bit of a lazy driver of kinds. Renault, nonetheless, has offered a lifeless pedal to relaxation your left foot, which is useful throughout lengthy drives; this isn’t frequent in SUVs at this value level.
Sport mode good for highways; effectivity not affected a lot.
The Kiger’s options listing is first rate too with trendy LED headlamps and a neat 8-inch touchscreen system. What I actually like is that it gives wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and this, due to the most recent replace, works like a appeal. I haven’t witnessed any lag or overheating points that we confronted within the Kiger guide. The up to date software program runs effortlessly on Android Auto with a correct split-screen set-up that has Maps with real-time site visitors updates on one facet, and different particulars like songs or messages, on the left. The sound high quality from the 4 door-mounted audio system is first rate, though I really feel an addition of a sub-woofer would do wonders to its audio output.
Handbrake positioned nearer to the passenger as an alternative of driver.
Gas economic system, nonetheless, is on the decrease facet; our Kiger CVT returns round 8kpl within the metropolis with the AC on, and just below 10kpl with out it. That is within the Regular drive mode and I measured this for round a month. I did attempt the Eco mode, which, on paper, is meant to supply higher gas economic system. Nevertheless, I couldn’t proceed utilizing it because the response is method too delayed and the SUV feels prefer it’s working on 25 p.c of its energy. Once I examined the Eco mode, the gas effectivity with the AC on went as much as round 9kpl, which isn’t actually an enormous distinction when in comparison with the drop in efficiency, so it was the Regular mode that I used extra usually. The Kiger additionally has a Sport mode, which improves the efficiency and does change the steering really feel to some extent too. I caught to this on a freeway run and loved the added efficiency, and surprisingly, it managed to get a gas economic system of 10.5kpl (with the AC on). Within the metropolis although, I nonetheless use the Regular mode because it feels probably the most sorted and simple to make use of, and is ideal in bumper-to-bumper site visitors.
Eco mode makes the SUV very tough to drive at low speeds.
Thus far, the Kiger CVT has taken on the baton from its predecessor very well and continues to impress me with its efficiency and the supple experience high quality. I’m wanting ahead to clocking many extra kilometres on this snug metropolis SUV.
Additionally see:
Renault Kiger Turbo CVT long run assessment, 1590km report
Renault Kiger Turbo MT long run assessment, 14,000km report