There are many alternative methods to guage a car. Of course you possibly can decide it on the premise of its specs, its dimension and its efficiency. But how does all that relate to the actual world? A way more related approach of assessing a car is to search out out what kind of impact it has on you if you’re within the driving seat. And on the subject of an achieved all-rounder just like the Renault Kiger, you’ll fairly often end up desirous to take an extended drive and go do one thing thrilling.

The punchy 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine helps the Kiger really feel completely at dwelling on the open street. 

When it involves pleasure, few locations do it higher than the Quest Adventure Sports Academy in Rameswaram. The vary of coaching programs they provide are seemingly as huge because the ocean they make you do them in, with all the pieces from wind browsing to sea kayaking to scuba diving and extra. If you aren’t a water child earlier than visiting Quest, you absolutely will likely be one by the point you permit.

The 150km drive in from Madurai was the right alternative to get conversant in the Kiger, and it makes a powerful first impression with its well-equipped cabin. Touch and really feel is a vital a part of this primary impression, and the Kiger has it coated, with plush semi-leatherette seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. You’re then greeted by a superb 7-inch TFT instrument cluster that reveals you all of the vital info you want at a look. You may even customise the format to completely fit your wants. Its wingman is the crisp 8-inch touchscreen that dominates the dashboard and packs in wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay performance.

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay performance means a very hands-free expertise.

As I set about making our approach out of a bustling Madurai, the Kiger’s compact footprint saved issues straightforward and manageable by means of metropolis streets. The imposing SUV design additionally did its half, concurrently turning heads and clearing the trail forward. With the freeway lastly stretching out in direction of the horizon forward of me, I positioned my cellphone on the wi-fi charger, and pressed the quick pedal all the best way down for a fast, enjoyable blast to the coast. Slotting into Sport mode, the Kiger got here alive even additional, responding instantaneously to each enter and displaying the agility of a gazelle.

With a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine beneath the hood, you’ve acquired a wholesome 100hp that makes triple- digit speeds appear completely easy. Pair it with a smooth-shifting CVT, and also you’ve acquired the right recipe for freeway mile-munching. Mile after mile was devoured up with ease because the Kiger gracefully glided alongside the freeway, holding me comfy and engaged. And earlier than I knew it, I’d arrived at Quest, the place two days of watersport motion awaited me.

Kite browsing is a fragile balancing act, ensuring to distribute your weight evenly on the surfboard whereas concurrently working the sail to be sure to’re headed in the appropriate path. Getting it proper, even when briefly, was an immensely rewarding feeling, and it introduced again reminiscences of the drive in the day before today. On the twisty sections main as much as Rameswaram, the Kiger exhibited good stability because it tackled the lengthy, sweeping corners with poise. Steering inputs returned exact and excellent responses, with the car’s lightning reactions making it appear nearly like an extension of my physique.

Sea kayaking was a delightfully serene expertise – the peace and calm of being alone out in the course of the ocean, with nothing however the sound of the waves for firm. It delivered to thoughts the peace and calm that you simply really feel contained in the Kiger’s cabin, with nice NVH ranges and a great deal of room on supply. Whether it’s the premium semi-leatherette seats or the cavernous 405-litre boot, there’s by no means a scarcity of area contained in the Kiger. Even tough roads fail to faze the car, with the 205mm floor clearance and plush suspension setup shrugging off even the worst patches with ease.

Perhaps essentially the most otherworldly expertise provided at Quest is after all scuba diving. Rameswaram, located within the Palk Bay, is among the final remaining habitats for inexperienced sea turtles & dugongs on mainland India. Down within the deep blue expanse, you’ll additionally discover humpback dolphins, bamboo sharks, stingrays and sea anemones, which means that there’s a complete lot to be explored beneath the floor. Similarly, if you dive beneath the floor of the Kiger you’ll discover that it’s constructed on Renault’s strong CFM-A+ platform and packs in 15+ important security options. With hill-start help, 4 airbags, ABS with EBD, traction management and ESP as customary, it’s no surprise that the Kiger has scored 4 stars for grownup occupant security on the GNCAP crash assessments. 

At the top of an thrilling two days, it was fairly clear simply what kind of car the Renault Kiger is. Most autos are checked out merely for his or her utility – as instruments to move you to workplace and the mall and the market and again. Getting behind the wheel of an lively SUV just like the Kiger, although, is a special story. It makes you need to go additional, get off the overwhelmed monitor, and discover the world of alternatives on the market. The Renault Kiger is a car that’s all the time hungry for extra.

Also see:

Renault Kiger long run overview; 9,000km report

Renault Kiger Turbo MT long run overview, 14,000km report

Renault Kiger Turbo CVT long run overview, 1590km report