The model had every chance of appearing in Russia, but in 2022 Renault left our market, and we never saw the Kardian. The new product debuted in Brazil, where its production will be established. Kardian is a B-class urban crossover based on a new modular platform. In the hierarchy of crossovers of the French brand Kardian, a place is allocated between the Kwid and Duster.
Kardian “grew up” from the Dacia Sandero Stepway, but the model will not be sold on the European market – it is focused primarily on Latin America and Africa, and later it may appear in Southeast Asia. Renault excluded Russia from its plans, although initially they planned to not only sell Kardian, but also assemble it in our country at AvtoVAZ facilities – but it is not a fact that under that name.
Renault Kardian
RenaultRenault Kardian
Renault
Renault Kardian
Renault
Renault Kardian
Renault
Renault Kardian
Renault
Renault Kardian
Renault
Renault Kardian
Renault
In an official release, the French automaker states that the new crossover is based on a new modular platform, but it could be a modernized CMF-B trolley. Kardian turned out to be slightly larger than the “off-road” Sandero – it is longer and taller, but narrower, and the distance between the axles of both crossovers is the same and is 2.6 meters. The Kardian has more ground clearance – 209 millimeters versus 201 millimeters for the Dacia cross-hatchback. The trunk is also larger – 410 liters versus 328.
Specifications for the Brazilian market have been revealed for now. There, the new product will be offered with a 1.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 125 horsepower. Gasoline and ethanol versions will be available. The gearbox is a six-speed robot with two clutches, front-wheel drive only.
The interior design of Kardian and Sandero Stepway is similar: the same eight-inch multimedia system screen and climate control pucks. But there are also differences – the Renault crossover has an original steering wheel, a different architecture of the central tunnel and a gearbox selector. The equipment list includes a seven-inch diagonal digital instrument panel, six airbags, adaptive cruise control, all-round cameras and blind spot monitoring. Sandero Stepway, even in its maximum configuration, is more modestly equipped.
The start of Renault Kardian sales in Brazil is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024. The next country for the new crossover will be Morocco.
Crossovers are not for us
