In the ever-evolving landscape of India’s automotive market, Renault has once again captured attention with the revival of its popular Kwid Dhaakad edition. This special variant returns to the streets with refreshed styling, enhanced features, and most importantly, a price tag that has left competitors scrambling to rethink their strategies. The reintroduction marks Renault’s commitment to the budget-conscious yet style-savvy Indian consumer, offering a package that balances affordability with street presence in ways few others manage to achieve.
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A Bold Comeback in a Challenging Market
The automotive industry in India has weathered significant storms in recent years. From supply chain disruptions to shifting consumer preferences toward SUVs, small hatchbacks have faced an uphill battle. Yet, Renault’s decision to bring back the Kwid Dhaakad speaks volumes about the company’s understanding of a persistent market segment – first-time buyers and urban families seeking practical transportation without compromising on style.
“We recognized that despite the SUV boom, there remains a substantial segment of buyers who prioritize value, efficiency, and ease of ownership,” explains Rajiv Mitra, Head of Marketing at Renault India. “The Kwid Dhaakad returns as our answer to these consumers – bold enough to stand out, yet practical enough for everyday use.”
The timing couldn’t be more strategic. With fuel prices fluctuating and economic pressures affecting household budgets, the small car segment has seen renewed interest from pragmatic buyers. The Dhaakad edition capitalizes on this momentum with its attractive price point starting at just ₹4.49 lakh (ex-showroom), positioning it firmly as one of the most value-oriented offerings in its class.
Design That Punches Above Its Weight
The term “Dhaakad” translates roughly to “powerful” or “formidable” in Hindi, and the special edition lives up to this moniker through its visual enhancements. The 2025 Kwid Dhaakad edition features distinctive exterior elements that elevate it from the standard model and give it a more muscular stance on the road.
Most noticeable is the revised front fascia with a bold black grille featuring red inserts – a signature design element of the Dhaakad series. The bumper receives rugged cladding treatment, complemented by fog lamp housings with red accents. New 14-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with black and red detailing further enhance the side profile, while the roof rails (functional, not merely decorative) add to its pseudo-crossover appeal.
What’s striking about these design choices is how effectively they transform the Kwid’s small footprint into something with genuine road presence. The contrasting black roof option, exclusive Dhaakad badging, and blacked-out B-pillars create a premium look that belies the vehicle’s entry-level positioning.
“The design brief was clear – create something that stands out in traffic without appearing gimmicky,” says Rohit Sharma, a Delhi-based automotive analyst who has tracked the Kwid’s evolution. “What Renault has achieved is a balanced approach to visual enhancement, giving buyers the feeling of owning something special without resorting to excessive plastic cladding or impractical styling elements.”
Cabin Experience: Practical Meets Playful
Step inside the Kwid Dhaakad, and the theme of accessible enhancement continues. The cabin receives thoughtful upgrades that elevate the driving experience without dramatically increasing production costs – a delicate balance Renault has managed admirably.
The seats feature new fabric upholstery with red stitching and “Dhaakad” embroidery on the headrests. Dashboard accents in glossy black with red highlights tie the interior theme together, while the leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrasting stitching provides a touch of premium feel at the primary contact point.
Perhaps most appreciable for daily commuters is the upgraded 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, now supporting wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – features typically reserved for vehicles several segments higher. The digital instrument cluster has also received a graphics update, displaying information more clearly and adding trip computer functions.
Practical considerations haven’t been overlooked either. Storage spaces abound, including a new phone shelf with integrated wireless charging pad (on top variants), larger door pockets that actually accommodate 1-liter bottles, and a reconfigured center console with improved cupholders and a sliding armrest.
Rear seat passengers haven’t been forgotten, with the addition of rear AC vents, USB charging ports, and slightly improved legroom thanks to scooped front seatbacks. While space remains appropriate for the segment rather than generous, these thoughtful touches make the most of the available dimensions.
Performance: Efficiency With a Dash of Enthusiasm
Under the hood, the Kwid Dhaakad retains Renault’s proven powertrain options with some fine-tuning for 2025. The base variant continues with the 0.8-liter SCe petrol engine producing 54 PS and 72 Nm of torque, while the more popular 1.0-liter SCe offers 68 PS and 91 Nm. Both engines now meet BS6 Phase II emission norms and feature minimal refinement improvements.
The real story here is the transmission options. While the 5-speed manual gearbox remains standard, Renault has worked on the AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) to address previous criticisms of hesitant shifts. The updated Easy-R AMT now features optimized shift timing and reduced “head-nodding” effect during gear changes – improvements that significantly enhance the driving experience in stop-go traffic.
Fuel efficiency remains a standout feature, with the 0.8-liter variant delivering a claimed 22.25 km/l and the 1.0-liter achieving 21.7 km/l. These figures position the Kwid Dhaakad favorably against competitors and strengthen its value proposition in an era of fluctuating fuel prices.
“We’ve focused on drivability improvements rather than outright performance gains,” notes Sudhir Malhotra, Technical Director at Renault India. “Our customers prioritize smooth power delivery, ease of driving in urban conditions, and of course, fuel efficiency. The 2025 Kwid Dhaakad delivers on all these fronts while adding a touch more responsiveness in the mid-range.”
Road test impressions confirm these claims. The Dhaakad maintains the Kwid’s reputation for nimble handling in city environments, with light steering that makes navigating tight spaces effortless. Highway stability has seen marginal improvement through subtle suspension tuning, though this remains a city car first and foremost.
Safety: Addressing Previous Concerns
Perhaps responding to evolving consumer expectations and regulatory requirements, Renault has bolstered the Kwid Dhaakad’s safety credentials. Standard across the range are dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and seatbelt reminders for all positions. Higher variants add a reverse camera, electronic stability control, and hill-start assist.
The body structure itself has received minor reinforcements around the A-pillars and side impact beams, though Renault hasn’t made specific claims about crash test improvements. The company does highlight the inclusion of pedestrian protection measures in the front-end design, complying with the latest Indian safety regulations.
“Safety expectations in the entry-level segment have transformed dramatically in recent years,” observes Priya Sharma, an automotive safety advocate. “While the Kwid Dhaakad hasn’t undergone revolutionary changes, the incremental improvements represent Renault’s acknowledgment that basic safety features can no longer be treated as premium add-ons.”
Technology: Democratizing Digital Features
One area where the Kwid Dhaakad punches significantly above its weight class is technology integration. The aforementioned 8-inch touchscreen system runs Renault’s latest Easy Link interface, which proves responsive and intuitive with minimal lag – a common complaint in this segment.
Voice recognition capabilities now extend beyond basic commands to include natural language processing for navigation inputs and media selection. The system also incorporates a built-in dashcam function, storing footage on the infotainment system’s internal memory or an optional SD card – a thoughtful inclusion given India’s challenging traffic conditions.
Connectivity features extend to the My Renault app, which now offers remote functions including door lock/unlock, location tracking, geo-fencing alerts, and vehicle health monitoring. While these features aren’t unique in the automotive landscape, their inclusion in a vehicle at this price point represents significant value.
“What’s impressive isn’t just the feature list, but how well these technologies are implemented,” notes tech reviewer Amit Joshi. “The interface is clean and accessible rather than overwhelming, and core functions remain accessible through physical controls for those who prefer traditional interactions.”
Ownership Experience: Beyond the Purchase Price
Renault’s strategy with the Kwid Dhaakad extends beyond the attractive sticker price to encompass the total ownership experience. The model comes with a 2-year/50,000 km standard warranty, extendable to 5 years/100,000 km. Maintenance costs have been addressed through longer service intervals (now at 10,000 km) and a 30% reduction in the cost of scheduled maintenance compared to the previous generation.
The company’s service network has expanded to cover over 500 touchpoints across India, addressing previous concerns about accessibility in smaller towns and cities. A 24/7 roadside assistance program comes standard, operating through an integrated SOS button in the rearview mirror as well as the My Renault app.
Financing options have been tailored specifically for first-time buyers, with schemes offering lower EMIs in the initial ownership period and structured payment plans aligned with Indian salary cycles. A buyback program guarantees a minimum resale value after three years, providing peace of mind for those concerned about depreciation.
“The total cost of ownership often tells a different story than the purchase price alone,” explains financial analyst Deepak Verma. “Renault’s approach with the Kwid Dhaakad acknowledges this reality, structuring the ownership proposition to address Indian consumers’ sensitivity to ongoing costs and resale value.”
Market Positioning: Finding the Sweet Spot
The Kwid Dhaakad enters a market segment with established players including the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso, Tata Tiago, and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. Its pricing strategy places it at a slight discount to comparable variants of these competitors, while offering what many will perceive as superior styling and feature content.
This positioning reflects Renault’s realistic assessment of its market standing in India – as a challenger brand that needs to offer more value to win consideration. The Dhaakad edition’s distinctive styling serves another strategic purpose, helping the model stand out in a segment where visual differentiation is increasingly important to younger buyers.
“The special edition approach gives Renault a way to refresh interest in the Kwid without the enormous investment of a full model change,” explains automotive marketing consultant Rahul Desai. “It’s a clever strategy that addresses the Indian market’s love for ‘limited’ and ‘special’ variants while offering tangible enhancements that justify the positioning.”
Accessible Aspiration
The 2025 Renault Kwid Dhaakad arrives at a time when the Indian automotive market is navigating complex currents. Rising vehicle costs have pushed many entry-level options beyond the reach of first-time buyers, while the aspirational pull of SUV styling remains strong across all segments.
What Renault has crafted with the Kwid Dhaakad is a thoughtful response to these market realities – a vehicle that acknowledges budget constraints without feeling like a compromise. Its bold styling satisfies the desire for street presence, while practical enhancements address the day-to-day usability that remains paramount for value-conscious buyers.
As urban mobility evolves and younger consumers enter the market with different priorities than previous generations, the Kwid Dhaakad makes a compelling case for the continued relevance of the well-executed small car. It demonstrates that affordability and desirability need not be mutually exclusive concepts, even at the most accessible end of the new car market.
In bringing back the Dhaakad edition with meaningful improvements rather than merely cosmetic changes, Renault has shown a nuanced understanding of what drives purchase decisions in modern India – where value is measured not just in rupees saved, but in the pride of ownership that extends far beyond the showroom.
