Renault Kwid new vs old: Differences and similarities explained

Renault Kwid New vs Old comparison

Renault gave the Kwid a comprehensive facelift back in 2019. Three years later, the hatchback received a few cosmetic tweaks and new paint options. The 2026 Renault Kwid comes with yet another lifecycle update, albeit a minor one. It remains Renault’s most affordable car in India, and its closest rivals are the Maruti Alto K10 and Maruti S-Presso. Let’s now look at what’s new with the 2026 Renault Kwid compared to its predecessor.

Renault Kwid new vs old: Exterior design

There are only a couple of noticeable changes on the outside

2026 Renault Kwid facelift front grille
Old Renault Kwid front grille
 

Compared to the pre-facelift model, the 2026 Kwid’s exterior is more or less unchanged in terms of its overall design and silhouette. The sleek upper LED lighting element and the large bumper-integrated headlamp housing have been carried forward, along with the faux front diffuser. The only difference at the front of the Kwid now is the new Renault logo.

2026 Renault Kwid facelift side
Old Renault Kwid facelift side
 

Along the side, the 2026 Kwid mostly looks the same as the previous model. However, Renault has given it a new two-tone wheel cover design, which also features the brand’s new logo. Other details such as the roof bars, ‘Climber’ lettering (for the top trim) and black lower-body cladding have been carried over from the pre-facelift model. As at the front, a design difference at the rear between the two cars is the new Renault logo. Apart from that, the ‘Kwid’ lettering on the tailgate is new as well. However, the design of the tail lamps, rear static reflectors and bumper are the same as before.

Renault Kwid new vs old: Interior design

There’s only perceivable difference on the inside of the 2026 Kwid

Stepping inside, the biggest change between the old and new Renault Kwid is in the steering wheel. Not only is the design of this wheel new, it also gets the brand’s latest logo that’s found in other Renault models on sale in India. The rest of the interior of the 2026 Kwid is nearly identical to the pre-facelift model. This means that there’s the same 8.0-inch infotainment head unit with a physical knob and button, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a monochrome digital driver’s display, manual AC controls, and a few buttons on the dashboard.

2026 Renault Kwid facelift interior
Old Renault Kwid facelift interior
 

The two-tone gear lever for the top-spec Climber manual variant and the rotary gear selector for the AMT variant remain unchanged. The new Kwid also has the same grey seat upholstery with contrasting yellow highlights as the old car. On the practicality front, things are likely to be similar as well, given that the storage cubbies haven’t been changed in any major way. Space for occupants is also to be identical to the old Kwid as there haven’t been any mechanical modifications with this 2026 update. Similarly, the 279-litre boot of the Kwid remains as is.

Renault Kwid new vs old: Engine and gearbox

There have been no mechanical changes with this update

Under the bonnet, the 2026 Renault Kwid soldiers on with the same 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine as its predecessor. This three-cylinder mill is rated at 69hp and 92.5Nm, and can be had with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). Unlike its predecessor, which was offered in four trim levels, the 2026 Kwid is now available in only two trim levels – Evolution and Climber. Prices range between Rs 4.53 lakh and Rs 5.61 lakh (ex-showroom, India). This means that the 2026 Evolution MT and AMT variants are now cheaper by Rs 13,500 and Rs 10,000, respectively. Meanwhile, the Climber MT and AMT variants have become more affordable by Rs 32,000 and Rs 27,200, respectively.

Also read

3 reasons to buy the Maruti Dzire, and 2 reasons not to

BMW X5 new vs old: Differences and similarities explained

Scooter and bike sales June 2026: Mixed results for different brands

Hero Passion. Honda CB125 Hornet and TVS Ntorq 125

As the scorching summer draws to a close and the monsoon season well and truly sets in, here’s how each of the top six heavyweights in the ICE Indian two-wheeler market performed in the month of June.

Hero: 5,02,890 units

Hero MotoCorp retained its position at the top of this sextet with over 5 lakh units sold last month in the domestic market – usual fare for this powerhouse. In doing so, it actually reported a 6.31 percent decline in comparison to its May 2026 sales number of 5,36,784 units. It was also a similar story when compared to its June 2025 sales (5,25,136 units) wherein it reported a smaller decline of 4.24 percent. It bears mentioning that Hero bundles in the burgeoning sales of its electric arm, Vida, which is now a regular fixture in the top ten bestselling brands in the electric mobility space, into this number.

Last month, Hero updated two of its commuter motorcycles – the Passion+ and the Super Splendor XTEC 2.0. Hero shipped 38,269 units overseas last month, an improvement over the 33,284 units it sent to export markets in May.

Honda: 4,68,956 units

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is in its usual runner-up spot but even so, the company reported a small 2.03 percent increase when compared to its May 2026 sales tally (4,59,611 units). Similarly, HMSI also reported a substantial 20.61 percent increase when compared to its June 2025 sales figure of 3,88,812 units. Honda is gearing up to enter the affordable end of the maxi-scooter game in India, with its ADV160, whose design has already been patented in our country.

The company exported 59,325 units last month, which was more or less on par compared to the 59,166 units it shipped overseas in May of this year.

TVS: 4,11,014 units

TVS Motor Company breached the 4 lakh units mark in the domestic market for the first time ever last month. In doing so, the company reported a noteworthy 6.88 percent increase when compared to its May 2026 sales figure of 3,84,565 units. When compared to its relatively small sales figure for June 2025 (2,81,012 units), the Hosur-based manufacturer reported a huge 46.26 percent increase.

It is worth mentioning that TVS doesn’t bundle the sales of its EVs – shouldered largely by the popular iQube, India’s bestselling electric two-wheeler – into the aforementioned numbers. TVS recently refreshed the popular Ntorq 125 scooter with some fresh new colourways on its entry-level variants. It is also working quite hard to set up its premium two-wheeler dealer network – Paddock – in India and also bringing the quartet of brand-new Norton products to market, both local and international.

The company, which is India’s second-largest exporter of two-wheelers, shipped 1,54,403 units overseas last month which was slightly lower than the 1,58,546 two-wheelers it sent to export markets in May.

Bajaj: 1,66,956 units

Pune-based Bajaj Auto had a slower than usual month in terms of sales in June, reporting a 20.32 percent decline in comparison to its May 2026 sales of 2,09,528 units. That being said, the company reported an 11.81 percent increase in comparison to its June 2025 sales tally of 1,49,317 units. It must be noted that the Chetak electric scooter portfolio and all sub-400cc Triumph and KTM models manufactured by Bajaj are also bundled into the above figures.

Bajaj is gearing up to revamp its entire Classic Pulsar lineup in the coming months, which should bolster its sales numbers in the near term. India’s largest two-wheeler exporter sent 2,22,439 units overseas last month, which was a healthy increase over the 1,83,676 units it shipped abroad in May.

Royal Enfield: 1,02,930

Royal Enfield has again sold over 1 lakh units in a single month in the domestic market, and in the process, it reported a 9.37 percent increase in comparison to its May 2026 sales number of 94,115 units. Even in comparison to its relatively smaller sales tally of 76,957 units in June 2025, it reported a substantial 33.75 percent increase.

Royal Enfield is working on a litany of new launches and refreshes to existing models, which will be spread out over the next few months and it also began deliveries of its first electric bike – the Flying Flea C6 – recently. The marque sent 11,102 units to export markets in June, which was quite a step up over the 9,116 bikes it shipped globally in May.

Suzuki: 91,264 units

Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited (SMIPL)’s sales last month dipped below the usual 1 lakh units it usually averages and thereby the company reported a noticeable 17.05 percent decline in comparison to the 1,10,028 units it sold in May. Even in comparison to its sales in June 2025 (95,244 units), SMIPL reported a small 4.18 percent decrease.

Suzuki shipped 23,766 two-wheelers last month to global markets, a small increment over the 22,216 units it sent overseas in May.

 

June 2026 sales

May 2026 sales

% change

June 2025 sales

% change

Hero

5,02,890

5,36,784

-6.31

5,25,136

-4.24

Honda

4,68,956

4,59,611

2.03

3,88,812

20.61

TVS

4,11,014

3,84,565

6.88

2,81,012

46.26

Bajaj

1,66,956

2,09,528

-20.32

1,49,317 

11.81

Royal Enfield

1,02,930

94,115

9.37

76,957 

33.75

Suzuki

91,264

1,10,028

-17.05

95,244

-4.18

Toyota Camry exterior image gallery

Toyota Camry

The ninth-generation Toyota Camry was launched in December 2024, and it is the carmaker’s sole sedan in India. Under the bonnet lies Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid system. It combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine, an integrated starter motor, the main traction motor and a 1.0kWh lithium-ion battery. This setup has a total output of 230hp, which is about 12hp more than the outgoing model. Fuel efficiency has also improved compared to the outgoing model and is now an ARAI-rated 25.49kpl. Like other hybrids in the family, the Camry uses an eCVT gearbox. The Camry is priced at Rs 47.48 lakh, ex-showroom.

Yamaha R2 likely to launch on August 27

Yamaha R15 front end

Earlier this year, we reported that Yamaha India was working on introducing the R2 in our market around the festive season. The new motorcycle is expected to offer a step up in performance over the hugely successful R15, and a media invite from the company now suggests it is likely to launch on August 27.

  1. Could get a single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine displacing around 200cc
  2. Will be designed, developed and manufactured entirely in India

Yamaha R2: What we know so far

R2 is expected to be sold alongside R15

The Yamaha R2 is expected to be powered by a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine displacing around 200cc, possibly slightly more. The R15 has long established itself as one of the most impressive beginner-friendly supersports on the market, and the R2 is expected to serve as a natural progression for riders looking for more performance without sacrificing everyday usability. The R2 name also follows Yamaha’s established R-series nomenclature and is expected to become the flagship model in the company’s India lineup following the discontinuation of the R3.

For reference, the R15 is powered by a 155cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine producing 18.4hp and 14.2Nm. With a modest increase in displacement, the R2 can be expected to offer a bump in performance while still being quite fuel efficient – a combination that has long been one of the R15’s strongest attributes.

The R15, MT-15 and XSR155 are all expected to continue alongside the R2, and the new model is not expected to replace any existing product in the lineup. It will be designed, developed and manufactured entirely in India at Yamaha’s Chennai facility, with exports to several global markets also planned.

When it arrives next month, the Yamaha R2 is expected to rival the KTM RC 200 (Rs 2.24 lakh) and the Hero Karizma XMR 210 (Rs 1.88 lakh). We also know that Yamaha is working on bringing the NMax 155 maxi-scooter to our market, having filed a design patent for the model just a few days ago. However that scooter is likely to be launched here either at the end of 2026 or in early 2027.

 

Keeway Hypevolt-R launched in India

Keeway Hypevolt-R

Keeway has entered the premium electric scooter segment with the launch of the new Hypevolt-R. Priced at Rs 1.99 lakh (introductory, ex-showroom), this performance-oriented electric scooter gets a claimed IDC range of 180km, a 115kph top speed and a host of rider assistance features.

  1. Bookings open for a token amount of Rs 5,000
  2. Has a claimed IDC range of 180km, top speed of 115kph
  3. Uses a 5-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity and also gets a lot of rider aids

The Hypevolt-R is powered by a mid-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor that produces 12kW of peak power. Keeway claims the scooter can accelerate from a standstill to 40kph in 2.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 115kph. Riders can choose between Eco, Normal and Sport riding modes.

Power comes from a dual 5kWh removable battery setup that is said to deliver an IDC-certified range of 180km. The batteries can be charged either on or off the scooter, while in-vehicle charging takes around 3 hours for a 0 to 80 percent top-up.

Suspension duties are handled by telescopic forks at the front and five-step adjustable rear twin-shock absorbers. The Hypevolt-R rides on 14-inch alloy wheels shod with 100/80 front and 120/70 rear tyres, while ground clearance stands at 130mm.

In terms of features, the Hypevolt-R gets projector LED headlamps, a full-width LED light strip, a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, reverse mode, USB Type-A and Type-C charging ports, and a 27-litre under-seat storage compartment. Seat height is rated at 770mm. The scooter is also equipped with rider aids, including dual-channel ABS, traction control, hill hold control, hill descent control, cruise control, blind spot detection and a rear reverse camera.

Bookings for the Keeway Hypevolt-R are now open through the brand’s official website for a token amount of Rs 5,000. The scooter has quite a unique design and is available in two colour schemes: Crystal White and Platinum Grey.

2026 F1 British GP schedule, India timings

F1 British GP schedule

F1 heads to Silverstone this weekend for Round 9 of the 2026 world championship. The fan-favourite track will be hosting a sprint round for the first time since 2021. 

There’s plenty more action in store for motorsport fans. Silverstone will also host F2 this weekend, while Formula E heads to Shanghai for a double-header round and DTM will race at the Norisring street circuit. Here’s our ultimate guide for when and where to tune in from India. 

F1 British GP schedule

F1 Silverstone schedule IST

Home heroes George Russell and Lewis Hamilton come to Silverstone with momentum on their side, having won the last two races at Austria and Barcelona, respectively. 

Just two rounds ago, Russell was 68 points behind his Mercedes teammate and current F1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli in the standings. But that gap has now shrunk to 40 points, and Russell will be determined to win on home soil for the first time. 
Hamilton, meanwhile, is a Silverstone maestro having won his home race nine times. However, Austria ended up being a tricky race for Ferrari, with the Red Bull Ring only highlighting the team’s power deficit, and Silverstone is yet another power-hungry track. Of course, Austria also saw Red Bull emerge as a genuine victory contender once again. But the Red Bull Ring has traditionally been a strong track for Max Verstappen. So, the British GP should give us a better understanding of where Red Bull stands in the pecking order.

Silverstone will also host a sprint round this weekend, giving drivers just one practice session to fine-tune their set-up.

F1 British GP: Where to watch?

All F1 British GP sessions will be streamed live on the FanCode and F1 TV apps.

2026 F1 British GP schedule IST

Date

Day

Session

Time

July 3

Friday

FP1

5pm

July 3

Friday

Sprint Qualifying

9pm

July 4

Saturday

Sprint

4:30pm

July 4

Saturday

Qualifying

8:30pm

July 5

Sunday

Race

7:30pm

F2 British GP schedule

F2 British GP schedule IST

The F2 title battle continues at Silverstone as well, with just two points separating championship leader Gabriele Mini and Nikola Tsolov. Barcelona sprint winner Kush Maini still holds on to ninth place in the overall standings. But he’s just four points behind Laurens van Hoepen and five points behind Martinius Stenshorne.

F2 British GP: Where to watch?

All F2 British GP sessions will be streamed live on the FanCode and F1 TV apps.

2026 F2 British GP schedule IST

Date

Day

Session

Time

July 3

Friday

Practice

2:30pm

July 3

Friday

Qualifying

7:25pm

July 4

Saturday

Sprint Race

6:15pm

July 5

Sunday

Feature Race

3:45pm

Formula E Shanghai E Prix schedule

Formula E Shanghai schedule IST

The Shanghai International Circuit will host Rounds 12 and 13 of the 2025/26 Formula E World Championship. Since it’s a double header, the first race on Saturday will feature Pit Boost, requiring all drivers to stop for a 30-sec recharge mid-race. 

Mahindra Racing currently stands P3 in both, the drivers’ and teams’ standings. Jaguar’s Mitch Evans holds the overall lead, 19 points from Nissan’s Oliver Rowland. Mahindra’s Edoardo Mortara is six points behind Rowland in third place. As for the teams’ championship, Jaguar leads the standings by 30 points from Porsche and 58 points from Mahindra.

Formula E Shanghai E Prix: Where to watch?

Qualifying sessions and both races will be streamed live on Sony Liv, along with a live broadcast on Sony Sports Ten 5.

2026 Formula E Shanghai E Prix schedule IST

Date

Day

Session

Time

July 3

Friday

FP1

1:30pm

July 4

Saturday

FP2

6am

July 4

Saturday

Qualifying 1

8:10am

July 4

Saturday

Race 1

12:35pm

July 5

Sunday

FP3

6am

July 5

Sunday

Qualifying 2

8:10am

July 5

Sunday

Race 2

12:35pm

DTM Norisring schedule

DTM Norisring schedule IST

For Round 4, DTM heads to Norisring – the only street circuit on the calendar. India’s Arjun Maini collected his largest points haul of the season so far last time out at Lausitzring, even claiming pole position. The HRT Ford Racing driver is optimistic about his chances at Norisring, saying, “It’s my favorite event of the season, and I always enjoy the entire race weekend here. I’m really looking forward to getting back on track. We had our best qualifying result of the year here last season, so I’m excited to see what we can achieve with the current package. Hopefully, we can score some more solid points and continue moving up the championship standings.”

Emil Frey Racing’s Matteo Cairoli currently leads the standings, but he’s just one point ahead of both Mercedes-AMG drivers Maro Engel (Team Ravenol) and Lucas Auer (Team Landgraf). Maini stands P10 overall, 25 points off the lead.

DTM Norisring: Where to watch?

All DTM Norisring sessions will be streamed live on FanCode.

2026 DTM Norisring schedule IST

Date

Day

Session

Time

July 3

Friday

FP1

3pm

July 3

Friday

FP2

7:30pm

July 4

Saturday

Qualifying 1

1:05pm

July 4

Saturday

Race 1

5pm

July 5

Sunday

Qualifying 2

12:40pm

July 5

Sunday

Race 2

5pm

3 reasons to buy the Maruti Dzire, and 2 reasons not to

maruti dzire on beach

Even though sedans face increasingly difficult odds in the Indian car market, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire topped the retail charts in its first year on sale and continues to shift units at a brisk pace. Launched at the end of 2024, the fourth generation of Maruti Suzuki’s beloved compact sedan brings major changes inside and out, which evidently resonate with buyers. If you’re considering purchasing a Dzire, here are three reasons why you should go through with the decision, and two reasons why you may want to think twice.

Pros

Stellar fuel efficiency

Up to 25.71kpl, per ARAI

The Dzire is powered by Maruti’s new 1.2-litre 3-cylinder ‘Z12E’ petrol engine, which is superbly calibrated for fuel efficiency. Couple that with the impressively low 920-960kg kerb weight, and the Dzire turns out quite a frugal machine.

Per ARAI testing, the petrol-powered Dzire claims a mileage of 24.79kpl in 5-speed manual spec and 25.71kpl in 5-speed AMT guise. In our real-world mileage testing of the Dzire, the compact sedan returned an average of 17.25kpl in MT form and 15.41kpl in AMT spec. A CNG version is also on offer in lower-spec Dzire variants, boasting an ARAI mileage of 33.73km/kg.

Great safety credentials

5-star scores from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP

Despite its relatively low kerb weight, the Dzire does not compromise on safety. The Dzire impressively holds a 5-star adult occupant protection rating from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP, which is an accolade achieved by very few cars currently on sale in India.

The Dzire also packs safety kit like 6 airbags, a rear defogger, electronic stability program (ESP), hill hold assist, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchorages, and more as standard. Higher-spec Dzire variants add a 360-degree camera, day/night adjustable IRVM, and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to the mix.

Excellent ride and handling balance

Ground clearance is adequate for clearing speedbreakers

As we noted in our review of the new Dzire, the compact sedan’s ride quality is fantastic. Bump absorption is good at almost any speed, and the Dzire easily gobbles up potholes and ruts. Speaking of which, the Dzire has a 163mm ground clearance, which, combined with its relatively short wheelbase, is adequate for clearing most speedbreakers.

Coming to handling, the Dzire continues to impress. The steering feels smooth and fluid, and the Dzire leans into corners in a progressive and controlled manner with good road grip. While hard cornering reveals some body roll, the Dzire is still a confident handler overall.

Cons

Engine needs more power

Develops 82hp and 112Nm

While the Dzire’s Z12E engine claims brilliant fuel efficiency, it’s down on power compared to its predecessor. The Z12E outputs 82hp and 112Nm, which is 8hp and 1Nm lower than that of the third-gen Dzire’s Z12M engine. While the Z12E’s low-end response is good, it becomes evident that this mill is not peppy or lively as you move up the rev range.

Power delivery is gentle and linear at best, the engine note sounds strained at the top end, and the 6,000rpm redline is around 400rpm lower than that of the Z12M. In our instrumented performance testing, the Dzire AMT took a leisurely 15.21 seconds to finish the 0-100kph run – over two seconds slower than its direct rival, the Honda Amaze.

Tight rear headroom

Sunroof mechanism eats into space

Though the Dzire is 5mm taller than its hatchback sibling, the Swift, rear headroom is a bit insufficient, especially for taller passengers. This is largely due to the space required for the sunroof mechanism between the roof and liner – a feature absent on the Swift. The Dzire’s roof liner is scooped out towards the rear to help the feeling of space, but it does little to help.

Maruti Suzuki inaugurates 800-acre Kharkhoda plant in Haryana

Maruti Suzuki inaugurates 800-acre Kharkhoda plant in Haryana

Maruti Suzuki inaugurated its most advanced vehicle manufacturing facility at IMT Kharkhoda, Haryana, on Thursday. Spanning 800 acres, the company claims the projected total investment at the facility will be Rs 35,000 crore, creating over 21,000 jobs. The plant’s current annual production capacity of 5 lakh units will be scaled up to 10 lakh, making Suzuki one of the largest vehicle manufacturing facilities globally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi jointly inaugurated the facility through video conferencing during the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum.

Maruti Suzuki Kharkhoda plant highlights

The Kharkhoda plant has a strong focus on sustainability. It meets 100 percent of its electricity requirement through renewable energy, using a combination of solar power and green power procurement. The facility currently has an installed solar capacity of 20MWp, which will be increased to 70MWp by 2030. It’s setting up a 10 tonnes-per-day biogas plant and a 1MWh battery energy storage system as well.

The plant operates as a zero liquid discharge facility, ensuring that 100 percent of the water is recycled. Nearly two-thirds of its water requirement is met through recycled water and rainwater harvesting. To reduce congestion and fuel consumption during vehicle transportation, Maruti will also set up an in-plant railway siding. In addition, the facility uses human-aware collaborative robots (COBOTS) to support manufacturing operations.