Renault Kwid is a popular entry-level hatchback known for its affordability and SUV-style design. However, safety ratings and features are an important consideration for many buyers. Therefore, when buying a Renault Kwid, it is crucial to check whether the car can provide sufficient safety for you and your family.
In this guide, we will explore the NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) safety rating, safety features, and other crucial details regarding the Renault Kwid. Keep reading to learn about the detailed crash test results of the Renault Kwid.
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Renault Kwid NCAP Safety Rating
The Renault Kwid scored low in crash tests by Global NCAP. The Kwid was rated 1 star on the adult occupant protection. The test showed that Kwid’s bodyshell structure was not stable; this could not sustain additional loading, and the footwell area is not stable.
Renault later introduced updated versions of the Kwid with a driver airbag, which slightly improved the rating. In these tests, the Kwid managed one star for adult safety and two stars for child safety.
However, even with the airbag, the structure of the car was rated as unstable, meaning it cannot withstand crash forces effectively.
Renault Kwid Adult Occupant Protection Rating
The Kwid scored 8.28 out of 17 points, which matches 1 star, in the case of the adult passengers. Crash test analysis revealed that the head and neck protection of both the driver and passenger was satisfactory, but there was weak chest protection.
The chest protection of the driver was rated “Poor” (high risk of injury), and the passenger protection was rated “Weak”. The knees and tibias of both occupants were not well defended, but were marginal. In general, the adult protection category of the Kwid was low due to the unstable body shell.
The table below summarises the protection levels:
| Parameter | Level of Protection |
| Head (Front occupants) | Adequate/Good |
| Neck (Front occupants) | Good |
| Driver’s Chest | Poor |
| Passenger’s Chest | Weak |
| Knees (Driver & Co-driver) | Marginal |
| Driver’s Tibia | Adequate |
| Passenger’s Tibia | Adequate |
| Bodyshell Integrity | Unstable |
| Footwell Area | Unstable |
The Kwid’s bodyshell was rated unstable, meaning it may not hold up under more severe impacts.
Renault Kwid Child Occupant Protection Rating
Child safety rating for Renault Kwid was also found to be inadequate. The Kwid was rated at only 2 stars when it comes to child occupant protection. The crash test involved the simulation of a 3-year-old (forward-facing) and an 18-month-old (rearward-facing) passenger in child seats.
Both installations were insufficient to safeguard the child dummies: the dummies had their heads in touch with the interior, and neither chest was well guarded.
Particularly, the head of the 3-year-old child was uncovered with inadequate chest protection, and the head of the 18-month-old child also collided (exposed) with the same inadequate chest protection.
Critically, the test car had no ISOFIX anchors to securely fit child seats, which further worsened the score. The highlights of the child protection results are summarised below:
| Parameter | Level of Protection |
| Head (18-month-old child) | Exposed/Poor |
| Chest (18-month-old child) | Poor |
| Head (3-year-old child) | Exposed |
| Chest (3-year-old child) | Poor |
The child seats in the Kwid allowed too much forward movement; the dummies’ heads touched the car interior; and no ISOFIX attachments were included, leading to a lack of protection.
Renault Kwid Safety Features
The tested Renault Kwid had front seatbelt pretensioners and dual front airbags for the driver and passenger, but lacked side and curtain airbags. Across the lineup, the Kwid includes:
- Airbags
The Renault Kwid is fitted with two front airbags, which provide essential protection for both the driver and front seat passengers in the event of a frontal impact.
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
The ABS with EBD unit in the Renault Kwid is used to control the steering in situations where there is abrupt braking, and to maintain the equal distribution of force when the brake is pressed.
- Brake Assist (BAS)
The Renault Kwid comes with brake assist that identifies an emergency braking scenario and applies more braking pressure to shorten the stopping distance.
- Rear Parking Sensors
The city parking is safer as most versions of the Renault Kwid have rear parking sensors that inform the driver of any obstructions behind the car.
- Reverse Parking Camera
The Renault Kwid comes with a reverse parking camera in higher trims, which also gives a clear rear view to the infotainment camera, enhancing convenience and safety.
- Front Seatbelt Pretensioner
The Renault Kwid has a driver seatbelt pretensioner, which tightens the belt immediately in the event of a crash to limit forward motion.
- Seatbelt Reminder
To promote safe driving, the Kwid has front seatbelt reminders for both occupants.
- Speed Alert and Speed-Sensitive Auto Door Lock
In the Renault Kwid, the speed alert system warns drivers when the car exceeds the desired speed limit, and the doors lock automatically when the car begins to move.
- Central Locking and Engine Immobiliser
The Renault Kwid’s central locking system supports simultaneous door locking, and the engine immobiliser prevents the engine from starting without authorisation.
- Child Safety Door Locks
The Renault Kwid has rear child safety locks to keep children inside the car, not outside, which helps increase vehicle safety.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control
Higher variants of Renault Kwid are supplied with ESC and traction control to ensure vehicle stability and prevent wheel slip on the road in challenging driving situations.
- Hill Start Assist
The Hill Start Assist on the Renault Kwid stops the car from falling back on a steep incline by temporarily keeping the brakes activated.
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The highest-end Kwid Climber model includes TPMS, which tracks tyre pressure and alerts the driver to under-inflation, making the overall driving experience of the Kwid safer.
These features offer basic active safety (ABS, stability control, etc.) and passive safety (airbags, seatbelts) protection. The official specification of the Kwid includes the 16 standard safety features: ABS with EBD, brake assist, seatbelt reminders, ESP, and more.
Variant-wise, the Kwid’s safety kit expands in the higher trims as follows:
| Feature | RXE | RXL | RXT | Climber |
| Rear Seat-belt Reminder | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dual Front Airbags | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic Stability Program (ESP) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | No | No | No | Yes |
| ISOFIX Child-Seat Mounts | No | No | No | Yes |
| Reverse Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Rear View Camera | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Side Airbags (front) | No | No | No | Yes |
| All 3-Point Seat Belts (all seats) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Seatbelt Pretensioner | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control System (TCS) | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EBD with Brake Assist (BAS) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Top-spec Climber models add significant safety equipment (six airbags, ISOFIX anchors, TPMS, ESC) that is not available on lower trims.
Summary
Renault Kwid is still one of the most affordable and stylish hatchbacks in India, yet its weakest aspect is the crash test scores. The car received a 1-star overall rating in Global NCAP tests. It was found to be weak in the frontal impact crash, resulting in inadequate protection, particularly at the chest of the adult occupants.
However, budget-conscious buyers should weigh the trade-off between price and safety. The Kwid can serve as an affordable city car, but families or highway drivers seeking robust crash protection may want to consider safer alternatives.
FAQs about Renault Kwid Safety Rating
Q. What is the safety rating of the Renault Kwid?
The Renault Kwid scores 1-star on Global NCAP crash tests (adult occupant protection). This reflects its poor structural rigidity and limited crash protection features.
Q. Which safety features are standard in all Renault Kwid variants?
All Renault Kwid variants come with two front airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, rear parking sensors, central locking, engine immobiliser, seatbelt reminders, and child safety locks.
These include the basic needs in safety, and advanced functionality can only exist on the higher trims.Q. What extra safety features does the top-end Kwid Climber offer?
The Renault Kwid Climber is upgraded with six airbags, ISOFIX attachments, TPMS, ESC, and rear-view camera, as well as ABS and Brake Assist. However, overall crash safety still depends on its basic structural design.
Q. Does the Renault Kwid come with ADAS features?
No, the Renault Kwid does not have Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as automatic emergency braking or lane-keep assist. Its safety package is centred on basic safety features such as airbags, ABS, ESC, and hill-start assist, rather than high-tech active safety systems.
Q. What is the Kwid’s adult occupant protection score under Global NCAP?
In Global NCAP’s adult occupant assessment, the Kwid scored only 8.28 out of 17 points. This low score (1 star) was mainly due to weak chest protection and an unstable body shell in the crash test.
