Renault Kiger (cross between a Kwid & a Triber)

Renault Kwid won’t get a new generation, but Kiger and Triber to be renewed

The Renault Kwid, Kiger and Triber have been instrumental in the brand’s success on the South African market.

Built in India for emerging markets, the trio might not offer the kind of refinements you’d expect from Renault’s French-built products but they do provide South Africans with much needed mobility at a lower price point amid today’s crippling living costs.

While announcing minor revisions for the three products in India this week, the Indian division revealed its product plans for the next three years, and they include new-generation versions of the Kiger compact SUV and Triber MPV.

The plan also entails a new “B+” SUV, which may or may not be based on the third-generation Duster, as well as a C-segment SUV and a “localised” electric vehicle.

However there was no mention of a new-generation Kwid and given that the current version was launched abroad in 2015, a new version is starting to seem overdue.

But a new Kwid is not on the cards for now as Renault India CEO Venkatram Mamillapalle revealed to Autocar India during an interview at the event.

“It doesn’t mean we won’t do it, but as of now we have no plans of bringing in the new gen of the model (Kwid). We will keep it alive as long as regulations allow because if you see, regulations define what stays at what cost points.”

 
Which top-10 automakers rely most on a single model?

Which of South Africa’s 10 best-selling automotive brands in July 2024 relied most on a single model? Let’s take a closer look at some intriguing sales statistics to find out…

Some automotive brands rely heavily on a single model, while others see their sales spread across several nameplates. Just how does this phenomenon play out between the most popular marques in South Africa? Well, we broke down the figures for Mzansi’s 10 best-selling brands in July 2024 to find out.

The calculation is a straight-forward one: simply take the sales effort of each firm’s best-selling model and divide it by that brand’s overall total for the month. Keep in mind that we used brand tallies here (for example, Volkswagen rather than the overall VW Group) and restricted this exercise to a single month. Right, let’s take a closer look at what turned out to be a fascinating set of figures…

1. D-Max for Isuzu – 79.2%

2. Ranger for Ford – 77.8%

3. Jolion for Haval – 75.3%

4. Tiggo 4 Pro for Chery – 67.8%

5. Magnite for Nissan – 55.8%

6. Grand i10 for Hyundai – 51.2%

7. Polo Vivo for VW – 45.2%

8. Kiger for Renault – 40.2%

9. Hilux for Toyota – 27.9%

10. Swift for Suzuki – 21.7%

 
Most Fuel-Efficient Compact SUVs Under R350k

Household budgets are tight and buying an affordable and fuel-efficient car is first prize in the current economic climate. The compact SUV segment is currently one of the most popular segments in South Africa and with high fuel prices, new car buyers will be wise to shop with fuel efficiency in mind. Here are the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs in South Africa you can buy right now for under R350k.

Are you looking for the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs to buy in South Africa?

Fuel efficiency is an important factor to consider when buying a car as fuel consumption will have a direct impact on your household budget and cost of living.

It’s no secret that compact SUVs are hugely popular in South Africa and this is evidenced in the boom of new products that have come to market in recent years. The compact SUV spans across a wide price range but if you’re a budget-sensitive buyer looking for the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs on sale, what are your options?

In an effort to balance affordability and fuel efficiency, we are looking at compact SUVs with the best fuel consumption that come in at under R350 000!

Note that this list is determined according to claimed manufacturer fuel consumption figures. In the real world, consumption will vary depending on factors such as driving style, load, road conditions and so forth, so consider this a guideline.

Prices are accurate as of November 2024.

Most Fuel-Efficient Compact SUVs in South Africa under R350 000

1. Renault Kiger Turbo Intens / Zen – 5.0 L/100km

2. Opel Crossland 1.2 – 5.1 L/100km

3. Nissan Magnite Turbo Acenta / Visia – 5.2 L/100km

4. Mahindra 3XO 1.2T – 5.3 L/100km

5. Suzuki Fronx GL / GLX manual – 5.5 L/100km

6. Renault Triber – 5.5 L/100km

7. Citroen C3 1.2 Feel / Max – 5.6 L/100km

8. Toyota Starlet Cross – 5.6 L/100km

 
Facelifted Renault Kiger unveiled and headed to SA

The facelifted Renault Kiger has been unveiled in India, with the refreshed version of this small crossover scheduled to launch in South Africa in the final quarter of 2025…

- Refreshed Renault Kiger unwrapped in India
- Revised styling but engine line-up carries over
- Due to hit South Africa before end of 2025

Meet the facelifted Renault Kiger. Freshly revealed in India (where it’s built), this updated version of the small crossover is scheduled to touch down in South Africa in the final quarter of 2025, the French firm’s local arm has confirmed to Cars.co.za.

As was the case with the refreshed Triber revealed in July, the mid-cycle updates to the Kiger appear largely cosmetic. The little crossover’s front end, for instance, gains a thoroughly overhauled design.

The latest Renault logo is positioned in the middle of the (narrower) upper grille, while the lower bumper now includes chunky silver-painted cladding. The triple-element headlamps and daytime running lights appear similar to those of the pre-facelift model, though new LED foglamps have been added.

Round back, you’ll find a redesigned rear bumper (with yet more silver-painted cladding) as well as the new logo, while the taillamp design seems to have been retained. Renault has also rolled out a fresh alloy-wheel design and new paint colours (such as the “Oasis Yellow” hue pictured here).

 
Refreshed Renault Kiger Revealed

Sporting revised exterior design elements and updated tech, Renault has whipped the wraps off the facelifted Kiger.

Introduced to the South African market in 2021, the current-generation Renault Kiger has been handed a nip and tuck, with the facelifted model sporting several cosmetic enhancements and upgraded tech.

Starting with the former, the most notable exterior revisions come in the shape of a redesigned front grille, fore and aft bumpers, and more prominent skid plates, front and rear. A fresh set of alloy wheels measuring 16 inches in size (and likely reserved for higher-specced models) is also present.

Stepping inside, depending on the level of specification the updated model will feature such items as 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, replete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital instrumentation, and a wireless smartphone charging bay. New upholstery options will also be available. From what we understand, six airbags will be standard across the range.

 
Facelifted Renault Kiger revealed and confirmed for South Africa

The Renault Kiger has been given a midlife makeover, with the compact SUV having received more than 35 design and feature enhancements.

Designed in India, where it is built alongside Alliance partner Nissan’s Magnite, the Renault Kiger has become one of the brand’s most successful models in South Africa.

The facelifted SUV is scheduled to reach local showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2025, our local contact confirmed, with further details to be confirmed closer to launch.

The exterior upgrades aim to give the compact SUV a cleaner appearance, incorporating Renault’s new brand identity and complementing it with a slimmer grille, new lighting signature, and redesigned metallic grey skid plate. Similar upgrades appear at the rear, including a revised tailgate incorporating the brand's new logo.

The revised Kiger also ushers in two new colours, these being the bold new Oasis Yellow and the more subdued Shadow Grey.

The interior features a floating 8.0-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a multi-view HD camera system is now available for the first time, allowing drivers to switch views effortlessly.

 
Renault Kiger (2025) Price & Specs

The facelifted Renault Kiger has arrived in SA, though only in naturally aspirated form. Still, the starting price has dropped R30 000, making it SA’s most affordable crossover…

- Refreshed Kiger officially hits the market in South Africa
- Only naturally aspirated variants are available at launch
- Now SA’s cheapest crossover thanks to R30k price cut

Unveiled in India as recently as August 2025, the facelifted Renault Kiger – which sports largely cosmetic updates – has already arrived in South Africa. The big news is the fact the French firm’s local distributor has dropped the starting price by a considerable R30 000, giving the Kiger the title of Mzansi’s most affordable crossover.

While the pre-facelift range had comprised 7 derivatives (including an Express-badged panel van), the refreshed line-up interestingly features only naturally aspirated variants at launch, seeing the line-up cut to 3 derivatives. We’re guessing the turbocharged variants will follow at a later stage, though this remains unconfirmed for now.

For the record, the Kiger portfolio – like the repositioned Kwid and the facelifted Triber – adopts the Boulogne-Billancourt-based brand’s latest trim-level naming convention, with Evolution and Techno replacing Life and Zen (with Iconic likely to supplant Intens once the turbo derivatives arrive), respectively.

So, let’s take a closer look at pricing. Whereas the outgoing line-up had bookends of R249 999 and R359 999, the updated range starts at R219 999 and runs through to R254 999 – though, again, keep in mind that doesn’t include turbocharged derivatives.

What does the facelifted Renault Kiger cost in SA?

DERIVATIVE PRICE

Renault Kiger 1.0 Evolution 5MT R219 999
Renault Kiger 1.0 Techno 5MT R244 999
Renault Kiger 1.0 Techno 5AMT R254 999

The prices above include a 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a 2-year/30 000 km service plan.

 
The refreshed Kiger retains the pre-facelifted model’s engine and transmission options.

As a reminder, the former includes a 52 kW/96 N.m 1.0-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder and a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-pot producing 74 kW and 160 N.m of torque.

The 'atmospheric' (aka NA) motor is available with the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or automatic manual (AMT) unit, while the more powerful model can be had with either a five-speed manual cog-swapper or a CVT.


Clarkson More Power.jpg
 
Updated Renault Kiger in SA: Price & Specs

The updated Kiger has launched in South Africa, with Renault SA announcing pricing and specs for refreshed model lineup.

Introduced to our market in 2021, Renault handed the Kiger refresh in August 2025, and the updated model has now launched in South Africa. See pricing below.

The fresh-faced Kiger features a reworked front fascia, which includes a reshaped bonnet, new LED headlamps, and a new front bumper. Renault’s new emblem is fitted to a revised front grille. The rear receives “smoked” LED taillamps and a reworked bumper. The update model rolls on a set of 16-inch ‘Discover Flex’ alloy wheels. The Kiger is available with the choice of four exterior colour options: White, Silver, Blue, and Grey.

2025 Renault Kiger Price in SA

The updated Renault Kiger is priced from R219 999, making it one of the compact crossovers available in SA for under R300k.

Kiger 1.0 Evolution MT – R219 999
Kiger 1.0 Techno MT – R244 999
Kiger 1.0 Techno AMT – R254 999

 
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