Finally available, we took the brand-new Renault Kiger for a brief maiden drive. Here is our opinion of the new little SUV.

The Kiger's attractive style is what immediately catches your attention. With an elevated posture that gives it a muscular appearance, it appears contemporary and sporty. The LED headlamps and tail lamps give it a premium feel, and the roof rails and skid plates enhance the SUV feel. The 18-inch alloy wheels finish the appearance.

A digital instrument panel, wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included inside the Kiger. All passengers will have plenty of headroom and legroom in the roomy, open cabin. The driving position is ideal, and the seats are cosy.

The Kiger has six airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, ESP, hill start assist, and a rearview camera as standard safety features.

A 1.0-liter petrol turbocharged engine with 100PS and 160Nm of torque powers the Kiger. It comes with a CVT or a 5-speed manual gearbox. Both of the gearbox options we were able to try out impressed us. The engine has good acceleration and good input response. While the CVT is slick and elegant, the manual gearbox is enjoyable to drive.

The Kiger is a capable SUV, and when we ventured off the main route, it proved its mettle. With its high ground clearance, it handled the bumpy roads and uneven terrain with ease, and we didn't have to worry about damaging the underbody.

The Renault Kiger has impressed us overall. It is attractive, packed with features, enjoyable to drive, and capable off the road. We believe it has the potential to be a huge success on the market and that it is priced reasonably as well.

Renault makes a small SUV called the Kiger. It shares an engine and gearbox with the Nissan Kicks and is built on the same platform. The Kiger is attractively built, has a plethora of features inside, and is enjoyable to drive. We believe it has the potential to be a huge success on the market and that it is priced reasonably as well.

The Kiger measures 4.2 metres in length, 1.8 metres in breadth, and 1.6 metres in height. It features a 200mm ground clearance and a 2.6 metre wheelbase. With projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, and 16-inch alloy wheels, the Kiger offers a svelte appearance. It has split LED taillamps and a spoiler installed on the roof at the back.

The Kiger's interior features a digital instrument cluster, automated climate control, cruise control, a rearview camera, and steering-mounted controls in addition to a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Kiger comes in two versions, STD and RXE, with the top-end model adding features like wireless charging and leatherette upholstery.

A 1.0-liter petrol turbocharged engine that generates 99 horsepower and 160 Nm of torque powers the Kiger. It comes with a CVT or a 5-speed manual transmission. The Kiger uses 18 km/l of fuel on average.

The suspension system on the Kiger is adjusted for comfort. It has torsion beam axles in the back and McPherson struts up front. On all four wheels of the Kiger, disc brakes are an option. It comes equipped with an ESP (electronic stability programme).

The Kiger starts at 5.45 lakhs rupees (ex-showroom Delhi). The Hyundai Venue, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, Mahindra XUV300, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, and the Honda WR-V are some of its rivals.