The Renault Kiger proves to be an exciting SUV as it transports us to a fun-filled day of watersports.
There are many different ways to judge a car. Of course you can judge it on the basis of its specifications, its size and its performance. But how does all that relate to the real world? A much more relevant way of assessing a car is to find out what sort of effect it has on you when you’re in the driving seat. And when it comes to an accomplished all-rounder like the Renault Kiger, you will very often find yourself wanting to take a long drive and go do something exciting.
The punchy 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine helps the Kiger feel perfectly at home on the open road.Â
When it comes to excitement, few places do it better than the Quest Adventure Sports Academy in Rameswaram. The range of training courses they offer are seemingly as vast as the ocean they make you do them in, with everything from wind surfing to sea kayaking to scuba diving and more. If you aren’t a water baby before visiting Quest, you surely will be one by the time you leave.
The 150km drive in from Madurai was the perfect opportunity to get familiar with the Kiger, and it makes an impressive first impression with its well-equipped cabin. Touch and feel is an important part of this first impression, and the Kiger has it covered, with plush semi-leatherette seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. You’re then greeted by a brilliant 7-inch TFT instrument cluster that shows you all the important information you need at a glance. You can even customise the layout to perfectly suit your needs. Its wingman is the crisp 8-inch touchscreen that dominates the dashboard and packs in wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality.
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality means a truly hands-free experience.
As I set about making our way out of a bustling Madurai, the Kiger’s compact footprint kept things easy and manageable through city streets. The imposing SUV design also did its part, simultaneously turning heads and clearing the path ahead. With the highway finally stretching out towards the horizon ahead of me, I placed my phone on the wireless charger, and pressed the fast pedal all the way down for a quick, fun blast to the coast. Slotting into Sport mode, the Kiger came alive even further, responding instantaneously to every input and displaying the agility of a gazelle.
With a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine under the hood, you’ve got a healthy 100hp that makes triple- digit speeds seem absolutely effortless. Pair it with a smooth-shifting CVT, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for highway mile-munching. Mile after mile was gobbled up with ease as the Kiger gracefully glided along the highway, keeping me comfortable and engaged. And before I knew it, I’d arrived at Quest, where two days of watersport action awaited me.
The Kiger’s balance of performance and comfort is a lot better than my balance was during kite surfing.
Kite surfing is a delicate balancing act, making sure to distribute your weight evenly on the surfboard while simultaneously operating the sail to make sure you’re headed in the right direction. Getting it right, even if briefly, was an immensely rewarding feeling, and it brought back memories of the drive in the previous day. On the twisty sections leading up to Rameswaram, the Kiger exhibited perfect balance as it tackled the long, sweeping corners with poise. Steering inputs returned precise and perfect responses, with the car’s lightning reactions making it seem almost like an extension of my body.
Sea kayaking allows you to explore vast expanses of the deep blue, just like the Kiger allows you on the road.
Sea kayaking was a delightfully serene experience – the peace and calm of being alone out in the middle of the sea, with nothing but the sound of the waves for company. It brought to mind the peace and calm that you feel inside the Kiger’s cabin, with great NVH levels and loads of room on offer. Whether it’s the premium semi-leatherette seats or the cavernous 405-litre boot, there is never a shortage of space inside the Kiger. Even rough roads fail to faze the car, with the 205mm ground clearance and plush suspension setup shrugging off even the worst patches with ease.
Like the car, there’s as much to explore under the surface as there is above it.
Perhaps the most otherworldly experience offered at Quest is of course scuba diving. Rameswaram, situated in the Palk Bay, is one of the last remaining habitats for green sea turtles & dugongs on mainland India. Down in the deep blue expanse, you’ll also find humpback dolphins, bamboo sharks, stingrays and sea anemones, meaning that there’s a whole lot to be explored under the surface. Similarly, when you dive under the surface of the Kiger you’ll find that it’s built on Renault’s robust CFM-A+ platform and packs in 15+ essential safety features. With hill-start assist, 4 airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control and ESP as standard, it’s no wonder that the Kiger has scored 4 stars for adult occupant safety at the GNCAP crash tests.Â
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At the end of an exciting two days, it was quite clear just what sort of car the Renault Kiger is. Most vehicles are looked at simply for their utility – as tools to transport you to office and the mall and the market and back. Getting behind the wheel of an active SUV like the Kiger, though, is a different story. It makes you want to go further, get off the beaten track, and explore the world of opportunities out there. The Renault Kiger is a car that’s always hungry for more.
Also see:
Renault Kiger long term review; 9,000km report
