Why The Renault Kwid Is A Great Option For New Drivers
There is lots to like about Renault’s Kwid. Here we examine just how good this car is for first-time drivers.
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Renault’s Kwid was launched in late 2016 as an entry-level car and it has achieved amazing sales success since then. In the past two-and-a-half years, Kwid’s sales figures have seen it rule the entry-level class, with monthly figures often topping the 1 000 unit level - the Renault Kwid’s price certainly has a definitive influence here.
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Since its initial launch, the Kwid addressed one of the major safety criticisms levelled at it by journalists by introducing ABS braking. This system prevents wheel lock-up during very hard or emergency braking. ABS braking is now fitted to all Kwids on sale from April 2019. This system brings it into line with its price competitors.
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Renault targets first-time buyers with its Kwid.
At the launch of the Automated Manual Transmission version of the Kwid in mid-2018, Renault South Africa management referred to a concerted campaign to target first-time buyers of the little hatchback.
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The Renault product specialist then told journalists, many of whom had criticised the Kwid, that the company had specifically targeted young female first-time buyers with the car, many of whom had had to rely on taxi transportation until signing up for the first taste of car ownership.
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Free Insurance is a huge incentive.
One of the master strokes of the Renault first-time-buyer campaign was to offer free insurance coverage for the Kwid for the first year of ownership. This scheme won Renault many sales and has since been imitated by other brands, that offered the same one-year free insurance scheme with its models.
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So what’s good about the Renault Kwid?
- The Price. The Renault Kwid remains one of the cheapest new cars on sale in South Africa. The base model, Kwid Life, is R188 999 (the updated price for July 2023).
- Looks. Out of all the small new cars on sale here around the R200 000 price bracket, the Kwid has plenty of personality in terms of looks. Renault is aware that it looks like a scaled-down SUV, and has even started referring to it as such in recent media releases.
- Connectivity. The Kwid comes with a 7-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, compatible with Apple Car Play and Android Auto.
- Ground clearance. The Kwid is good over speed bumps and potholes.
- Fuel consumption. The Kwid sips fuel at the rate of 5,5 to 6.0 litres/100 km
- Free insurance for a year when buying a brand new Kwid.
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Verdict
Many buyers are attracted to a car by its looks first and foremost, and the "scaled-down SUV" appearance of the Kwid is something that rival manufacturers should be aware of. Here in South Africa, SUVs have strong appeal.
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The second big factor is the smart dashboard layout with its touch screen. Renault has definitely put one over the competition here, recognising that young people often value their cyber connectivity more than they value personalised mobility! Lastly, the attractive price of the Renault Kwid is a big selling point.
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