Renault Kardian SUV global debut, based on Sandero, India launch details

Renault’s all-new compact SUV, christened Kardian, will debut on October 25, 2023, the brand has confirmed. Renault has officially revealed some teaser images of the SUV’s design that’ll initially go on sale in Brazil before making it to other emerging markets. However, a few months ago, patent images of the SUV had surfaced on the internet giving us an early look of the SUV’s looks.

1. Renault Kardian SUV will go on sale in Brazil first
2. Shares platform and powertrain with Dacia Sandero

Renault Kardian SUV: what is it?

The new Kardian SUV, based on the Dacia Sandero Stepway, will be Renault’s smallest SUV in many emerging markets, especially since the Kiger is not available in most such markets outside India. Primarily aimed at South American markets – and the ones where Dacia is not present – the Renault Kardian will take on newly introduced small SUVs from other brands like Fiat’s Pulse. The Kardian will share some body panels, powertrain and its CMF-B platform with the Sandero Stepway, but have an all-new front styling with proper SUV design cues.

Renault Kardian: exterior and interior

Patent images have hinted that the Kardian will feature split headlamps up front with a double-layer grille, a tall bumper (finished in contrasting black elements) and a prominent chin with a faux brushed aluminum skidplate.

In profile, the Kardian will have a coupe-SUV like bodyshell, added ground clearance over the Sandero, and chunky cladding on the wheel arches and running boards to add to its rugged SUV looks. At the back, the tail-lamps will have a C-shaped design that look a lot like the Kiger. Higher variants will feature stylish alloy wheels, roof rails, a shark-fin antenna and added chrome bits.

Fresh teasers of the interior reveal a stylish dashboard design that’s similar to other Renault SUVs, with an 8-inch touchcreen infotainment, a drive mode selector and a four-spoke steering wheel. The interior will have faux brushed aluminum and wood inserts with a mix of piano black, depending on the variant.

Renault Kardian expected powertrain and positioning

The Kardian will be powered by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, but it remains to be seen whether it’s same as the one on the Kiger and Magnite in India. It will be positioned below the second-gen Duster, which is on sale in Brazil currently. The next-gen Duster, which is also in the works, will be based on the CMF-B platform in the future, and be built at the same plant in Brazil alongside the Kardian.

Renault Kardian SUV: will it come to India?

The heavily localised Renault Kiger SUV is the Indian counterpart of the upcoming Kardian, and it’s highly unlikely that the Kardian will come here. The Kiger sold in our market is based on the heavily localised CMF-A Plus platform that also underpins the Triber MPV and the Nissan Magnite SUV.

Renault future SUV plans for India

Renault currently sells the Kiger in the Indian market, with the all-new Duster expected to come to India by Diwali 2025. There’s also a three-row iteration that’s in the works that will join in future. Click here to read more on that.

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