The Renault Kwid is the new kid on the block, in the entry level car segment in India. A car that has taken on the segment leader Maruti Alto, which has been the best selling small car for a long time. Does the Kwid have the muscle to challenge the leader? Lets find out. We do a detailed Renault Kwid vs Maruti Alto Comparison.

Renault Kwid 1.0 vs Maruti Alto K10 Exterior

In design, it is the Kwid that looks a lot more stylish. It has rugged looks with SUV like design. The high ground clearance and the length of the Kwid makes it look bigger than the Alto. This is one reason why this hatchback stands out. Maruti’s Alto K10 on the other hand is more of a traditional hatchback. This has plain jane styling with nothing that makes it noticeable. The Kwid 1.0 isn’t just stylish but it even has black colour body cladding too.

The Alto has been getting periodic upgrades and now has a few styling updates that make it more attractive. It has new body panels, headlamps, taillamp and bumpers. Though improvements have taken place, it is still does not rank very high when it comes to styling. In terms of looks the Kwid is certainly comes out as the more attractive of the two.

 

Kwid vs Alto 2

 

Renault Kwid 1.0 vs Maruti Alto K10 Features

The interiors of the two cars are also quite different. While the Alto has a busy dashboard and a little funky, the Kwid’s dashboard has a simple layout. The Alto has analogue speedo and tachometer with a small digital screen that reads out the fuel gauge and trip meters. The Kwid has a fully digital instrument console. Both cars have a three-spoke steering wheel, but the one one Kwid feels chunkier. The alto has good storage space on the tip of the dashboard, something which the Kwid lacks but makes up for it by offering this space just above the glovebox. The centre of the dashboard has an audio system in the Alto , while the Kwid gets a touch-screen system with Bluetooth and navigation. Both have decent storage space, however the door pads of Kwid are wider and offer more utility.

In terms of space, the second row knee room in the Alto K10 (more than Alto 800) is less than that on the Renault Kwid, which is at 116mm. Even the boot of the Kwid is 300 litres, while the Alto 800 is only 187 litres. This means there is more space in the boot and even the ground clearance of the Alto is 160mm, while the Kwid is 180mm. The Kwid even gets the advantage of better quality than the Alto 800.

 

Renault Kwid 3.2                                                              Renault Kwid

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 12                                                 Maruti Alto K10 interiors

 

 

Renault Kwid 5                                                Renault Kwid second row

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 14                                       Maruti Alto K10 second row (more than Alto 800)Renault Kwid specs data

Renault Kwid 1.0 vs Maruti Alto K10 Engine

The Renault Kwid is powered by a state-of-the-art 800cc, three-cylinder compact engine delivering 52bhp @ 5678rpm and a torque of 72Nm @ 4386rpm, mated to a five-speed gearbox.  The 1000cc comes with 62bhp of power. There is good low end torque and the car pulls off smoothly. There is enough grunt to keep it going and is a breeze to drive in the city. The Kwid 1.0 has very good power too.

Alto has a 796cc, three cylinder engine with 48bhp of max power and 69Nm of peak torque. Lately, to meet emissions some changes have been made which has made the engine lighter and more efficient. It has a new pistons and a lighter crankshaft with the compression ratio also bumped up. However the engine vibrations can be felt at the feet. The engine is smooth otherwise  and only at high revs does it feel coarse. The engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox.  Even the Alto K10 is extremely peppy as well.Kwid vs Alto

Renault Kwid 1.0 vs Maruti Alto K10 Ride and Handling

This is one area where there is little competition between the two cars. The Renault Kwid comes across as a much more accomplished car in terms of a composed ride and handling. In comparison, the Alto, though nimble, just does not have that sure-footed feel o the Kwid. The ride also gets choppy over bad roads and you can feel potholes and there undulation right through. The Kwid, in fact has the best right ride and handling package in the entire segment. Something which a few cars from higher segments to would find difficult to match.

Kwid vs Alto

Renault Kwid 1.0 vs Maruti Alto K10 Features

In terms of features, both cars offer optional driverside airbag. Alto now offers airbag in all its variants as an option.Then there is central locking, audio system with USB and Aux-in, front power windows, power steering, airconditioner and immobiliser. In addition, the Kwid on its top end variant has a seven-inch touchscreen multimedia infotainment system with MediaNav, Bluetooth, two front speakers, afully digital instrument console and foglamps

Renault Kwid specs data

Renault Kwid 1.0 vs Maruti Alto K10 Mileage

The Kwid beats the Alto in the area which matters most in this segment and that is the fuel efficiency, which is 23.01 km/l and higher than 22.74 km/l of the Alto. This is possible as Renault has built the Kwid 51 kgs lighter at 669 kgs, compared to 720 kgs of the Alto.

 

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 15                                                   Maruti Alto 800 boot

Renault Kwid 13                                               Renault Kwid boot

Renault Kwid 1.0 vs Maruti Alto K10 Variants and Price

Below are on-road, Mumbai prices in INR.

Maruti Alto 800

LX – INR 3.56 lakhs

LX (Airbag) – INR 3.63 lakhs

LXi  – INR 3.82 lakhs

LXi (Airbag) – INR 3.89 lakhs

LXi (CNG) – INR 4.34 lakhs

LXi (CNG-Airbag) – INR 4.41 lakhs

VXi – INR 3.98 lakhs

VXi (Airbag) – INR 4.19 lakhs

Maruti Alto K10

2016 Maruti Alto K10 Price On-road price, Mumbai
2016 Maruti Alto K10 LX INR 3.9 lakhs
2016 Maruti Alto K10 LX(O) INR 3.98 lakhs
2016 Maruti Alto K10 LXI INR 4.1 lakhs
2016 Maruti Alto K10 LXI (O) INR 4.15 lakhs
2016 Maruti Alto K10 VXI INR 4.3 lakhs
2016 Maruti Alto K10 VXI (O) INR 4.5 lakhs
2016 Maruti Alto K10 LXI CNG INR 4.8 lakhs
2016 Maruti Alto K10 VXI AGS INR 4.81 lakhs
2016 Maruti Alto K10 LXI CNG (O) INR 4.9 lakhs
2016 Maruti Alto K10 VXI AGS(O) INR 4.91 lakhs

Renault Kwid

Std – INR 3.08 lakhs

RxE- INR 3.48 lakhs

RxE 0pt – INR 3.56 lakhs

RxL – INR 3.75 lakhs

RxT – INR 4.1lakhs

RxT (Optional) – 4.21 lakhs

Renault Kwid 1.0

RxT – INR 4.2 lakhs

RxT (Option) – INR 4.34 lakhs

Renault Kwid vs Maruti Alto Verdict

The Kwid has the Alto solely in its sights and is aiming at garnering maximum market share from the Alto. The Kwid is priced around the Alto price range. With its premium looks, large dimensions, strong build, better fuel efficiency and multiple features, there is no doubt about Kwid being the more accomplished car. Renault now needs to make its network stronger in order to compete with Alto, an area where Maruti has the clear upper hand.

Note: The Alto featured in the pics is the K10 variant

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