Renault has updated two of its models in India in quick succession. First was the Trberwhich got its first mid-lifecycle makeover in nearly six years, and then the Kiger compact SUV received a fresh dose of life. However, the Kwid hatchback has no facelift lined up in the foreseeable future.
- Kwid last received a facelift in 2019
- Sales down to less than 1,000 units a month
More important models in the pipeline
Speaking to our sister publication Autocar Professional, Venkatram Mamillapalle, managing director of Renault India, said, “The new Triber is the first product under the Renault.Rethink strategy, and this will be followed by three more launches over the next two years.”
The second product is the Kiger facelift, and the third will be a new Duster-based 5-seat SUV lined up for launch next year to rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Grand Vitara. This will be followed by a new 7-seat derivative of the same SUV to take on the likes of the Hyundai Alcazar and Mahindra XUV700. So, naturally, the Kwid facelift has been ruled out for the next two years.
However, Mamillapalle did maintain that the Kwid will not be discontinued any time soon; it will soldier on as is. “We are going to cover all segments, starting with the A-segment which is the Kwid. Then, there’s the B-segment where we have the Triber and Kiger, and then we expand to the C-SUV segment as well,” he elaborated.
We reported this in the confidential section in the August 2025 issue of Autocar India magazine.
Renault’s rationale for not updating the Kwid is understandable. The entry-level car segment is on a steady decline and it’s especially difficult to go up against Maruti Suzuki who dominate this segment. Increased preference for the SUV body style and growing popularity for used cars means the budget hatchback segment has really taken a hit.
And while an updated Kwid has been spied in markets abroad, Renault India is unlikely to invest in this space, especially when it already has its hands full with more important products. The Kwid’s monthly sales figures are down to just triple digits. Given the rising costs and limited volumes, it’s hard to justify a fresh investment for the Kwid. However, some minor cosmetic upgrades and feature additions like six airbags can be expected, at best.
Renault Kwid price and details
Originally launched in 2015, the Kwid once was one of the core volume drivers for Renault in India. It was last updated with a mid-cycle facelift in 2019which means the current car has been on sale for nearly six years, and is pretty long in the tooth. The Kwid is currently priced between Rs 4.70 lakh and Rs 6.50 lakh, and is available with a sole 68hp, 1.0-litre petrol engine with manual and AMT gearboxes.
Also See:
2025 Renault Kiger vs pre-facelift compact SUV: Differences explained
2025 Renault Kiger variant-wise features, powertrain options explained
