Renault Kiger vs Tata Nexon: Which one is better

There is no doubt that the sub-four-metre segment is popular among Indian four-wheeler patrons. One of the reasons that make this segment popular is because of the tax benefits given to the manufacturer, making the production more cost-effective. As a result, the product will also be more affordable, due to which, it can cater to the mass market. At the same time, they are also practical in nature because their length isn’t much of a hassle, due to which, parking doesn’t become a major concern. However, let’s digress.
The Renault Kiger and the Tata Nexon belong to the same segment, the sub-compact crossover SUV. In terms of sales, the Tata Nexon boasts a higher ranking, due to which, it’s among the bestselling Tata cars in both segments (ICE and electric) and the country. In contrast, the Renault Kiger is also doing very well in the business. It is also considered a lucky product for the French car manufacturer, as it saved the company from taking the same route as Ford India.

So, let’s see how the Renault Kiger stacks up against the homegrown Tata Nexon.

Features

Before beginning, it should be worth noting that the features mentioned here belong to the top-most variant of the Kiger and the Nexon. In addition, these are the exclusive features of these two cars.

As for the Tata Nexon top variant’s exclusive features, you would get a single-tone leatherette upholstery, umbrella storage in the door, a reverse camera with guidance, a sunglass holder, etc. Further, at the Nexon’s price, it has rain-sensing wipers, an electric tailgate release, a single-pane sunroof, and voice commands.
Moreover, the Nexon has a GPS navigation system and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also offers optional ambient lighting, glove box lighting and connected car technology. The latter technology lets the user access the actual-time vehicle’s status, live location, last parked location, geo-fencing, remote car lock/unlock, and remote car light flashing and honking via the concerned app. As for exterior lighting, the Nexon has halogen plus projector headlamps, automatic headlamps, passive cornering lights, and halogen fog lights (front and rear).

Safety

Last but not least, the Tata Nexon has dual airbags as standard. Yes, given the Tata Nexon’s price, especially of the top-most variant, it should have had more airbags. Yet the Tata Nexon boasts a five-star safety rating in the Global NCAP’s crash test. Unlike the Kiger, it has a brake assist.
On the other hand, the Renault Kiger’s exclusive features include fabric upholstery, a reverse camera, front seatback pockets, a remote boot lid opener (internal), and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (all wireless). Further, this vehicle offers a one-touch driver’s side power window and front and rear cabin lamps. For exterior lighting, the Kiger is equipped with LED headlights. Considering the Kiger’s price, it has a good number of features that are exclusive albeit the Nexon has slightly more features.
Speaking of safety, the top-most variant of the Renault Kiger has four airbags and has a four-star safety rating, awarded by the Global NCAP.

Moreover, it should be worth noting that the build quality of the vehicle matters more than the array of safety features. Taking the Tata Nexon, for instance, it doesn’t have more than two airbags but its build quality is such that it secured a five-star safety rating, awarded by the Global NCAP.

Keeping the exclusive features aside, let’s now jump to the specifications.

Specifications

The Renault Kiger is solely available with a petrol engine, making it, unlike the Tata Nexon, which can be had in both petrol and diesel engines. In addition, there are direct rivals that have diesel engines, such as Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV300 and Hyundai Venue. You can compare cars in terms of features, specifications and prices on the autoX website.
Let’s begin with the French car, the Kiger. It is based on the Nissan-Renault-developed CMF-A+ platform that also underpins other Renault cars, such as the Kwid and the Triber plus it underpins the Nissan Magnite.
The Renault Kiger can be had with a 1.0-litre (999cc) Energy, naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which is tuned to churn out 71.01 bhp at 6250 rpm and 96 Nm of peak torque at 3500 rpm. In parallel, it also has a 1.0-litre (999cc), turbo-petrol engine that can produce 98.63 bhp at 5000 rpm and 152 Nm of peak torque at 4400 rpm. Both petrol mills have a standard five-speed manual transmission but the naturally-aspirated and turbocharged petrol engines are mated to a five-speed AMT and a CVT gearbox, respectively.

Engine

On the flip side, the Tata Nexon is available in both petrol and diesel. The petrol version is powered by a 1.2-litre, turbocharged Revotron engine, which is tuned to churn out 118.35 bhp at 5500 rpm and 170 Nm of peak torque at 4000 rpm. Simultaneously, the diesel version is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged Revotorq engine that can pump out 113.42 bhp at 3750 rpm and 260 Nm of peak torque at 2750 rpm.
Both engines can either be had with a six-speed manual or a six-speed AMT transmission.

As for fuel efficiency, the Renault Kiger’s mileage ranges between 18.24 km/l and 19.17 km/l. In contrast, the Tata Nexon’s mileage ranges between 17.05 km/l and 24/07 km/l. These are ARAI-certified mileage figures. Please note that the fuel economy can vary with the combination of engine and transmission, the local traffic conditions and individuals’ driving styles.

Prices and Variants

The French carmaker sells the Kiger in five trims: RXE, RXL, RXT, RXT (O) and RXZ. It has a total of fifteen variants. As for the Renault Kiger’s price, it starts at Rs 6.50 lakh for the base variant, the RXE Petrol MT, and goes up to Rs 11.23 lakh for the top variant, the RXZ Turbo CVT DT.

In contrast, the Tata Nexon has eight broad trims: XE, XM, XM (S), XM+ (S), XZ+, XZ+ (HS), XZ+ (L), and XZ+ (P). The Dark and Red Dark editions are available from XZ+, while the Kaziranga Edition is available on the top-spec XZ+ and XZA+ trims. They make up a total of sixty-five variants
The Tata Nexon has a starting price of Rs 7.80 lakh for the base variant, the XE Petrol MT, and goes up to Rs 14.50 lakh for the top variant, the XZA Plus LUXS Red Dark Diesel AMT.
All are ex-showroom prices in Delhi, as of June 2023. Please note that these prices are subject to change without any prior notice to the customer. You can, however, visit the autoX website to access the latest location-based price list for your dream vehicle. For more, visit our website or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. So, stay tuned!