Renault Kwid Variants Explained: Which One To Pick?

Which one of the Renault Kwid’s five variants makes sense for you?

Renault has launched the Kwid facelift with prices ranging between Rs 2.83 lakh and Rs 4.85 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The French carmaker offers two engine options on the Kwid: 0.8-litre and a 1.0-litre, both 3-cylinder petrol units. The two are coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox along with the option of a 5-speed AMT only on the 1.0-litre unit. It is available in five variants: STD, RXE, RXL, RXT and Climber. But which variant fits your needs and budget best? Read on.   

Colour Options

• Zanskar Blue(New)

• Fiery Red

• Ice Cool White

• Moonlight Silver

• Outback Bronze

• Electric Blue

Prices

STD: Looks good but only from the outside

Exterior: Body-coloured bumpers, dual-barrel headlamps with LED DRLs, tail lamps with LED elements, wheel arch cladding, roof-integrated spoiler and wheel caps for the 14-inch steel wheels.   

Interior: Fabric upholstery and black centre console.  

Safety: Rear parking sensors, driver-side airbag, ABS with EBD, driver and co-driver seat belt reminder, speed alert and rear child lock.  

Instrument Cluster: Digital Tachometer, trip meter and gear shift indicator (only on MT variants).

Comfort and Convenience: Driver-side sun visor and heater (no AC).  

Verdict

Unlike several budget offerings, the Renault Kwid’s base variant doesn’t look built to a cost from the outside thanks to the body-coloured bumpers and LED elements. It might look good on the surface but the interiors and safety features aren’t as rosy since it misses out on an AC and even front power windows.

Another issue with this variant is the missing passenger airbag, which isn’t even available as an option. So, this variant will suit you only if you are on a very tight budget and usually travel alone in cold regions. For our suggestion, you’ll have to scroll a bit more.   

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RXE: Too pricey for what it offers

Exterior: Graphics

Comfort and Convenience: AC, foldable rear seat backrests, passenger-side sun visor, 2 front speakers and antenna.

Verdict

The Kwid RXE should have been the base variant but with a more affordable price tag. It does get a few usable conveniences including an AC and foldable rear seat, but the premium of Rs 70,000 is a monumental jump over the previous variant. It does get speakers and antenna but the accompanying audio system will have to be purchased as an add-on. Moreover, it continues to miss out on a power steering and more importantly, a passenger airbag, which automatically takes it out of contention for us. 

RXL: Worth a stretch but for a limited audience

Exterior: Dual-tone ORVMs and full wheel covers.

Interior: Grey fabric upholstery with white stitching.

Convenience: Front power windows, power steering.

Safety: Keyless entry and central locking

Audio: Single-DIN audio unit with USB, AUX and Bluetooth connectivity.

Verdict

This variant brings necessary usable features at an acceptable premium over the RXE. It gets some cosmetic enhancements inside out along with a couple of convenience features (power windows and power steering) that will come in handy during your ownership stint. The two speakers that you get in the previous variant are now accompanied by a Bluetooth-enabled audio system, which is still a single-DIN unit. 

This might seem like the one worth purchasing but it still misses out on a passenger airbag, which makes it hard to recommend for families or even those who travel with front co-passengers. 

So, if you have already stretched your budget to this variant, might we suggest that you look at the next RXT (O) variant? Not only does it bring a more powerful engine but also a host of safety and convenience features to enhance your ownership experience. 

RXT: Our choice but only with the optional pack

Exterior: Chrome inserts on the grille, dual-tone ORVMs in a different shade, dark metal coloured wheel covers and black B-pillar.

Interior: Red highlights on upholstery, gear knob bellow and leather-wrapped steering wheel with chrome inserts and red stitching, chrome garnish for the AC controls, parking brake button and inner door handles.

Comfort and Convenience: Rear parcel tray, 12V rear power socket, USB charger and optional rear power windows.

Safety: Rear parking camera with guidelines and optional co-driver side airbag (only with the 1.0-litre engine).

Audio: 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, voice recognition, and USB video playback. 

Verdict

The RXT variant is quite an enticing upgrade and those looking at the 0.8-litre engine will find it quite feature-loaded that too at a reasonable premium. But we would recommend only the 1.0-litre engine option with an optional package as it costs just Rs 28,000 (Rs 8,000 extra for the passenger airbag) but brings more power and an extra airbag over the smaller engine version. The additional amount you spend will not affect your EMI amount by much either. If you are eyeing the Renault Kwid facelift, this is the one you should go for.   

Besides, if you are eyeing an AMT, this is the starting point for those looking to buy the Kwid with the two-pedal convenience. Renault is charging Rs 30,000 over its manual counterpart, which is quite less than what similarly priced cars command for their AMT-equipped versions. 

Climber: If you want some extra zing

Exterior: Orange inserts for the roof rails, faux skid plates, headlamps housing and outside rearview mirrors. ‘Climber’ insignia on front doors.

Interior: Orange and white fabric upholstery, Climber insignia on steering wheel, white stitching on steering wheel, orange and black floor mats, orange finish on AMT dial and orange around the touchscreen.

Convenience: Optional rear power windows. 

Verdict

The Climber variant just adds some vanity to the Kwid’s packaging. Most of the updates are visual, be it on the outside or inside. Go for this only if you want a splash of colour because the RXT gets almost the entire features set that the Kwid has on offer.   

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