Hi All
So i have some time to kill, and thought Ill do a mini review of a Kwid (climber) 2022 model. I got one as a loaner while my car is in for a service. I thought it will be interesting to give a review and tackle some "issues" people assume or claim.
Looks
The reason the KWID/Kiger sells like it does, is that its pretty well designed. At a glance it has nice proportions, good shoulder lines, the headlights look cool. Even the interior has nice design elements. And if you compare it to other entry level offerings, its probably the best looking.
Features
The biggest surprise was android auto, even my RS doesnt have that. On the face of it its decent; electric (front) windows, A/C and airbags X2. Theres no particular feature you will miss at all at an entry level pricepoint. The Audio is poop though, it just runs out of punch about halfway through. The infotainment screen feels like that first gen Matt touch screens. Central locking does feel like a wierd hybrid of manual old school nobs with a motor added. There is a reverse camera, though it isnt very good res, but there is one!
Build
Definately entry level. At a glance exterior and interior design looks "cool".... look harder and its pretty much all hard plastics. Inside the boot there's no lining by the shock mounts. and its all sprayed metal. None of these factors are unexpected, and therefore you cant really complain about them, you get what you paid for.
Driving and Dynamics
So put aside the fact that I have a very planted car, im going to refrain from comparing them as thats pretty skewed. I have however owned a yaris in the past (5 star ncap back then), had an up! for a month and had an i10 for 2 months in the past few years. This is my biggest issue with the car, i felt nervous on the highway, there is no punch, so if you in the wrong lane and need to quickly accelerate past a truck, there's zero confidence. It was raining and i genuinely didnt feel planted/safe enough at 120km/h on the N1. The steering is incredibly vague, infact when i took a sharp turnoff, i let go of the wheel assuming it would recentre, it didnt, zero input from the front wheels pushing it back to position, i had to turn it back. Inner city driving its fine. Fuel consumption is about 6l/100km irrespective of how i drive.
Verdict
People ask "why would someone buy one" and I get it. You can buy a new car, for many people buying an old car, they wont get finance. Many first time buyers will more likely get finance on a new car. Coupled with free insurance for a year its an "easy entry". That being said, If i had to part with my own money, Im thinking older Sandero, an i10 or even an older up! my biggest gripe is the road feel.. i can overlook the build and to some degree the lack of power.
