The Renault Kwid doesn’t have the best reputation in South Africa, but does that mean you should avoid it completely?
When the Indian-built Renault Kwid arrived in South Africa in 2016, it was a clever marketing ploy that packaged an entry-level A-segment hatchback in pseudo-crossover/SUV clothing. While cash-strapped first-time buyers flocked to its affordability and big-car touchscreen, motoring critics rightly lambasted its initial omission of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and a front passenger airbag. Recognising the reputational risk, Renault steadily injected essential safety hardware into the range, culminating in a comprehensive November 2019 facelift.
Renault Kwid specifications and features
Underpinned by the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s CMF-A platform, the Kwid is an exercise in aggressive weight-saving, tipping the scales at a featherweight 700-775 kg, depending on trim. To achieve its crossover aesthetic, engineers gave the Kwid 180 mm of ground clearance, though early models infamously rode on tiny, 13-inch wheels that were secured by just three wheel nuts. The 2019 facelift introduced a split-headlamp front fascia and upgraded, 14-inch wheels, as well as a reinforced rear axle for improved highway stability. Inside, the Kwid punched above its weight by offering a 279-litre boot and an 8.0-inch MediaNav touchscreen (upgraded from the original 7.0-inch unit) featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a reverse camera on higher-tier trims.
Mechanically, all South African derivatives utilise a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder SCe petrol engine producing 50 kW at 5 500 r/min and 91 N.m of torque at 4 250 r/min. Buyers could pair this motor with a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automated manual transmission (AMT), initially controlled by a dashboard-mounted rotary dial before migrating to the floor console. Thanks to its ultra-low mass, the Kwid achieves an exceptionally frugal claimed fuel consumption – between 4.4 and 4.9 L/100 km.
What to look out for when buying a used Renault Kwid
- Pre-2019 safety omissions: Early 2016-2018 models featured only a driver’s airbag and lacked ABS. Even after the 2019 facelift standardised dual airbags and ABS, Global NCAP rated its bodyshell integrity as unstable, awarding it just two stars.
- AMT actuator hesitation: The five-speed Easy-R AMT lacks a traditional torque converter and suffers from pronounced head-nodding shifts and rollback on inclines.
- Crosswind and highway “nervousness”: Weighing around 750 kg, with a tall 180 mm ride height, early Kwids feel dangerously twitchy at 120 km/h when faced with crosswinds or the slipstream of heavy commercial trucks.
- Three-stud wheel and bearing wear: The diminutive three-lug wheel hubs and skinny tyres are poorly suited to deep potholes. Check for buckled steel rims and wheel bearing drone.
Which used Renault Kwid model should you buy?
The only rational choice is a post-2019 facelift Kwid 1.0 Dynamique or Climber Manual. These trims deliver the crucial safety updates, larger, 14-inch wheels, and smartphone mirroring that make the Kwid a viable, hyper-frugal urban runabout. Avoid any 2016-2018 pre-facelift models, owing to their lack of ABS, a single airbag setup, and inferior rear-axle stability. Similarly, bypass the sluggish AMT gearbox in favour of the five-speed manual.
