The Renault Kwid is set to get a major update in Brazil. Recently, a test mule was spotted completely undisguised, showing portions of the design. Based on these sightings, we have rendered the full design. It looks very different from the outgoing Kwid. Here’s a closer look.
The test mule shows the front and side views of the car. At the front, we can see sleek LED DRLs that also function as turn indicators, a new grille section finished in gloss Black, a heavily redesigned bumper with a large air dam and headlamps integrated into it. Towards the lower end of the bumper, a Silver element (faux skid plate) can also be seen.
The Renault logo has been blacked out here. On the actual car, it may have a regular, Chrome finish. The front fascia, in general, has a busy design. The bonnet itself looks different from what’s seen on the outgoing model. We have imagined the car in a dual-tone colour scheme.
The side profile looks like that of the outgoing Kwid. The ground clearance looks identical. The window line remains largely unchanged. There are roof rails and shark fin antenna on offer as well. The new car will get new wheel covers. The rear will get a new two-tone bumper and new clear-lens tail lamps.
The cabin is expected to get notable changes on the facelift. It will get a digital instrument cluster and a large central touchscreen. The steering wheel will also be a new three-spoke multifunction unit. Although details of the same haven’t surfaced, the new hatchback is likely to get more features than the outgoing model.
In India, the Kwid is still the most affordable Renault model. The entry point to the French carmaker’s lineup. It competes primarily with the Maruti Alto, Spresso, and the Tata Tiago- three strong rivals. It was in July that Renault last updated the Kwid here. It did not, however, bring major changes to the hatchback. Unlike the Brazilian version that has now been spotted with comprehensive design changes, the India-spec facelift came with just minor tweaks ( Kiger-like steering wheel, new wheel covers). More importantly, the Kwid is now available in six variants, spread across the Evolution and Climber trims.
The updated Kwid got absolutely no mechanical changes. It continues to be powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 69 bhp and 92.5 Nm. Two transmission options are available- five-speed manual and five-speed AMT automatic. The company is also offering a CNG retrofitment option on the Kwid, only on the manual versions.
At the time of writing, there has been no official confirmation on this. The Brazilian model looks considerably newer and more appealing than the India model. Its design aligns better with the company’s new design direction. Getting it in India, will make prospective Kwid customers happy. Even the interior feels more premium and desirable.
All these said, it is unlikely that Renault will bring this facelift to our shores anytime soon. The reason to assume so, is the timing. The last update came in July this year. Even 2027 would be too soon for another significant update. More importantly, rolling out a 2027 update will undermine the purpose of the July 2026 facelift! At Rs 4.53 lakh, the Kwid is now one of the least expensive new cars in India.
We think Renault will take a more balanced approach with future Kwid updates. It will likely gauge the consumer demands and preferences here and develop an India-specific version, with a styling that follows Renault’s new-age design direction. The current Kwid is based on the CMF-A small car platform. Future models will move to the heavily-localised RGEP platform. This will have cost benefits and will also have underbody CNG tanks.
There is money in the small car segment. With the right moves, Renault can find success in this space, again.