Enlarge / A shiny black panel instead of a front grille, and more aero-efficient wheels are some of the subtle clues that this is a Mercedes-Benz EQB and not a Mercedes-Benz GLB. (credit: Jonathan Gitlin)

Mercedes-Benz provided flights from DC to Stuttgart and back, plus two nights in a hotel so we could drive the EQB and the Vision EQXX . Ars does not accept paid editorial content.

IMMENDINGEN, GERMANY—You have to be very observant to spot the difference between Mercedes-Benz's new EQB electric crossover and its GLB crossover that has been around for a couple of years now. Most obviously, there's that big glossy black panel in place of the traditional grille, now a common feature on all Mercedes EVs, but you'll also note slightly more aerodynamic wheels and the lack of any exhaust pipes, plus the EQ badges on the back, of course. And a look underneath the car reveals a flat underfloor that helps the flow of air around the vehicle in motion.

It's the latest EV from Mercedes-Benz, and it's the cheapest EV on sale to wear a three-pointed star, starting at $54,500.

The biggest difference between the GLB we tested in 2020 and the EQB is the powertrain. Open the hood and you're greeted by a mess of mechanicals, although a closer look reveals this to be the EQB's front electric motor, plus control electronics and HVAC componentry instead of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. For the US, there's a single choice of lithium-ion traction battery with a useable capacity of 66.5 kWh (70.5 kWh gross), operating at 420 V.

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Skoda has been promising its new SUV for India for a while, and finally, today, we got to see the production version. Skoda Kushaq, which borrows its name from Sanskrit, meaning “king,” is a compact SUV.

The car will be launched next month along with bookings and the reveal of final pricing details. In this article, you’ll get the first and exclusive look at this SUV and also learn about its features.

How does Skoda Kushaq look?

The Kushaq bears similarities to the concept we first saw at the 2020 Auto Expo. The design is pure Skoda and similar to the Karoq or the bigger Kodiaq. The Kushaq is based on the MQB A0 IN platform and has been designed in India.

The dimensions are similar to a Creta with a length of 4,221mm and width of 1760mm while it has a fairly good ground clearance of 188mm. Top-end versions get 17-inch alloys while 16 would be standard.

The grille is big and expressive with a thick chrome line while the headlamp is divided into two parts with DRLs and LEDs. Top-end trims have a silver finish skid plate, while there are roof-rails and cladding all around for the typical SUV feel. The rear also gets LED lamps with a Karoq-like look. It is a Skoda and looks nice with some aggression. You can choose from a total of 5 colour options.

What about the interiors?

The interiors seem nice in quality at first glance, with a free-standing 10-inch touchscreen display and a clear but well-made layout. The quality is good and you get a two-spoke steering and a neat bank of buttons below the touch screen.

The AC vents have a nice soft-touch control while there are two cup holders along with two places to keep your smartphones. The Kushaq also gets the virtual cockpit in the top-end with a 10-inch screen which can be modified as well.

The features list is perhaps the most impressive we have seen on a Skoda since you get connected tech, glass sunroof, ventilated leather front seats, Type C USB ports, wireless charging, wireless smartlink with smart phone connectity, Wi-Fi hotspot, cruise control, six airbags, rear ac vents, front and rear parking sensors with rear view camera plus more. The Kushaq also comes with six speakers as standard.

Is Kushaq spacious?

The Kushaq comes with a wheelbase of 2651mm while it has a 385l boot. Kushaq is a 5-seater and the rear seats are decent but not class-leading. However, the thigh support plus width is quite good.

What are engine options?

Skoda is going the petrol way for the Kushaq with two turbocharged engines on offer. The 115hp 1.0 TSI is the range starter and it would be standard with a 6-speed manual while it would also get a brand new 6-speed automatic torque converter too.

The other engine is a 150PS and 250Nm 1.5 TSI, which would come with a 7-speed DSG. We expect drive modes for the DSG while the DSG will also get steering paddles.

What would be the price of Skoda Kushaq?

We expect the Kushaq 1.0 TSI manual to start at about Rs 10 lakh while the top-end would be Rs 16-17 lakh. Kushaq has a high local content level that would help Skoda price it well and give it competitive service packages. The Kushaq seems impressive at first glance and is sure to be a best seller for Skoda. Will Hyundai Creta finally face some competition other than Seltos?? We think so!

The post Skoda Kushaq First Review: See Images, Interior, Features appeared first on Fossbytes .

The Renault Kiger is the most “VFM” SUV that you can buy, but as our review says, there are enough reasons to buy one other than its affordable pricing.

What is the Renault Kiger all about?

Meet the Venue/Sonet rival from Renault; while they may have taken their time, Renault has entered the subcompact SUV space with a bang. Called Kiger, this is based on the same platform as Triber and is also about both affordability and value. Kiger is in-fact priced a step below the other established SUVs in this segment and aims to lure hatchback buyers into upgrading to an SUV but without hurting their wallets too much.

Renault Kiger has been developed with keeping our requirements; with the top-end version well below the Rs 10 lakh price-bracket, Kiger surely has a lot of potential to do well. But is it spacious or feature-packed plus how is the engine in terms of performance? We drove the turbo petrol Kiger to answer just that and more!

Renault Kiger Review

How does it look?

A crucial victory for Renault is the looks of the Kiger as that is half the battle won. It looks different from other subcompact SUVs and has its own style which appeals to us and also a lot of the public judging by the reactions it got on our test drive. Finished in this blue color, the Kiger looks very good and also has a youthful flair along with a sense of style — it is not shy at all. It is, however, less of a proper SUV in terms of lacking the typical boxy appeal. The lines are curvier and it is more like a crossover.

Still, you cannot miss those LED DRLs at the top along with the cluster of LED headlamps below with the grille also being divided. The grille is big and lends the Kiger a lot of presence on the road. You will also see roof-rails along with the equally good-looking 16-inch diamond-cut alloys. It is when seen from the side that the Kiger looks a bit less like an SUV due to the roof which goes downward but it does give it a futuristic look. Renault has also put in cladding at the sides and rear while the roof is black for a dual-tone look.

The rear is again more of a raised hatchback but the edgy tail-lamps are again very well executed and the roof-spoiler is also a nice touch. It certainly aims at the younger crowds, but it’s a design that grabs more attention than some of the other SUVs out there.

What about the interiors?

We have to say that the interior of the Kiger surprised us and it feels better built than the Nissan Magnite, another SUV which is also built on the same platform as the Kiger. The design is suitably premium, and it goes for an all-black look which is again another hint towards its sportiness. The interior shares more with the Triber but compared to that car, the Kiger is more luxurious! There is gloss black on the steering wheel and center console, and there is an 8-inch touch screen and a digital TFT instrument cluster. Some nice touches are the switches for climate control which are well finished!

You will also see a round knob for the drive modes. The instrument cluster is basic though but the design is nice and it gives you the information that you need. Also, the image of Kiger on the digital dials is a nice touch. The touch screen is simple in design too and has lesser options as compared to other cars, for example, a Sonet, but is neatly done and has a decent enough touch response. We would also say that the screen showing the rearview camera is of very good quality. The cabin does not feel built to a price as a whole but the lower half of the dashboard does get some hard plastic and more soft-touch materials could have been used.

What is the technology onboard?

It all starts with the key which is a hands-free access card and it looks cool along with being different (other Renault cars also have this type of key). Other than that, the reconfigurable instrument cluster gets a TFT screen that changes color according to the driving mode selected via the knob on the center console.

Other features include climate control, steering controls, white ambient lighting, wireless charging, rear ac vents, four airbags plus more importantly a PM2.5 Clean Air Filter. The audio system on the Kiger is an Arkamys 3D unit and sounds fairly good while being better than some of the other sub-compact SUVs. There is, however, no sunroof or connected technology.

Is it spacious?

Absolutely! Kiger surprised us how it can squeeze out so much space inside its compact size and it’s all down to the platform it uses. The seats are a bit thin but offer decent comfort but the real deal is the space between them. Renault says that there is a 710-mm Couple Distance between seats while to us the cabin does feel airy. The rear due to the sloping roof feels a bit compact initially but the sheer space inside at the rear seat is very good. Legroom is excellent as is headroom plus you can squeeze in a middle passenger with a flat floor (nearly). The 405l boot is also the biggest! Further on, we liked the center armrest storage which holds 10.5l and the door pockets can hold 1l bottles.

How was our driving experience?

The Kiger is going via the petrol-only route with a pair of 1.0 three-cylinder petrol engines. The base spec engine is the same 1.0 petrol found in the Triber which makes 72PS and 96Nm. The turbo petrol 1.0 makes 100PS and 160Nm. For both engines, you get a standard 5-speed manual, while the 1.0 has an AMT gearbox the turbo petrol gets a CVT automatic. We drove the turbo petrol manual and found this engine likable.

It does not have the best refinement though and some vibrations do creep inside the cabin and overall some noise is there. That aside, the Kiger feels compact and easy to maneuver while the gearbox itself is not heavy along with the clutch. Thanks to the turbo you also do not need to always downshift to lower gears at low speeds as the torque pulls through. That, along with the compact size, makes it an ideal-sized SUV to tackle our cities. The ride at city speeds is also firm but not uncomfortable, however, the 205mm ground clearance makes tackling speed-breakers and potholes an easy task.

Out in the highway, Kiger also felt reasonably powerful and the engine felt quick — no doubt helped by the lightweight nature of the Kiger. The gearing is also correct and you do not feel it is running out of breath or is lacking extra gear. We would say that most of our driving was done with the Sport mode selected for the Kiger as that is where it performs with the most enthusiasm. Normal mode is decent but lacks punch while eco mode, not intolerable at all, has a throttle response that is blunted quite a bit. You will get 12-14kmpl overall in terms of its fuel economy though.

Should you buy Renault Kiger?

There are four trim levels but we say get straight to the top for the turbo petrol manual or CVT since the turbo petrol is much better suited for city or highway driving along with coping with a full load of passengers. The manual top-end turbo petrol is Rs 8.5 lakh and that is great value for the looks, features, and space on offer. Sure the engine is a bit on the noisy side and some features are missing here, but you cannot miss the value for money proposition that Renault brings here. It is a lot cheaper than other subcompact SUVs and makes for a great if you are shopping for your first SUV.

The post Renault Kiger Compact SUV Review — Mileage, Features, And Pictures appeared first on Fossbytes .