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Compact Automatic SUV From Renault Arrives With Turbo Engine, Focus On Economy, Competitive Price And Appeal To People With Disabilities. Model Challenges Rivals Fiat And Volkswagen In The Brazilian Market. News In The Equipment List.
Renault Unveils The Kardian Authentic Focusing On Price And Accessibility
Renault Brazil officially presented, in June 2025, a new configuration of the compact SUV Kardian, positioning itself strategically facing the recent launch of the Volkswagen Tera and the update of the Fiat Pulse.
The automaker’s goal is to compete in the entry-level sports utility vehicle market with automatic transmission and turbo engine, as well as to expand access to consumers seeking exemptions and discounts from the program aimed at People with Disabilities (PcD).
The new version, named Kardian Authentic, stands out as the most accessible SUV in the segment equipped with automatic transmission, with a suggested price of R$ 119,990 and a special focus on direct sales to PcD, although it is available to the general public.
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The new Renault Koleos has a screen exclusively for the passenger that is invisible to the driver, heated rear seats, and 29 assistance systems, but its Chinese competitors cost R$ 40,000 less and deliver more power.
The launch places Renault directly in competition with the Fiat Pulse Drive 1.0 Turbo automatic and the newly arrived VW Tera, strengthening the brand’s presence in one of the most competitive segments of the Brazilian automotive market.
Turbo Engine And Automatic Transmission Boost Range
The engine of the Kardian Authentic retains the well-known 1.0 TCe turbo engine, capable of delivering up to 120 horsepower with gasoline and 125 hp with ethanol, along with torque of 20.4 kgfm and 22.4 kgfm, respectively, depending on the fuel used.
According to official data from Renault, the range can approach 900 kilometers in ideal driving conditions and with a full tank, one of the best figures in the segment, reinforcing the economic appeal of the model.
The automatic transmission offered is a dual-clutch automated type, oil-bathed, with six gears, technology already used in the higher versions and praised for its smooth shifting.
The model also offers electric steering, digital air conditioning, LED headlights, a 7-inch digital instrument panel, height-adjustable driver’s seat, and height and depth adjustable steering wheel, features increasingly valued by consumers in the segment.
Design Adjustments And Equipment List
Regarding design and equipment, the Kardian Authentic brings adjustments to keep the price competitive.
The external door handles are not painted in the body color and the internal ones abandon the silver finish.
The hubcaps, now in matte black, replace the diamond-shaped visual that imitates alloy wheels from the more expensive versions.
The safety package includes six airbags (front, side, and curtain), speed control and limiter, in addition to rear parking sensors.
However, items such as adaptive cruise control and more sophisticated finishing details were restricted to higher configurations.
In terms of connectivity, the SUV offers an 8-inch multimedia center compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, meeting the demand for digital integration, especially among urban drivers and families that prioritize practicality and entertainment on board.
The interior space also remains a differential, with 2.60 meters of wheelbase, 4.11 meters in length, and a trunk with a capacity above the average of direct competitors.
Strategy Focused On The PcD Audience And Impact On The Segment
Renault emphasized that the launch of the Kardian Authentic aims to mainly serve the PcD audience, which will be able to benefit from tax exemptions provided by law, making the turbo automatic SUV more accessible within the segment.
The model fully meets the requirements of legislation for inclusion in the program, enhancing its competitiveness against the main rivals in the Brazilian market.
The structure of the Kardian utilizes the RGMP modular platform (Renault Global Modular Platform), the same one that will serve as a base for future launches by the automaker in the country, including a medium SUV named Boral and the Niagara pickup in its final version.
This architecture allows Renault to keep costs under control, without sacrificing current technologies in comfort, safety, and powertrain.
Comparative And Market Positioning
Compared to the old entry-level version equipped with DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission), the new Kardian Authentic retains much of the essential equipment, but simplifies aesthetic details and eliminates comfort items considered superfluous for the target audience profile.
This strategy, adopted in June 2025, follows a trend already established in the automotive sector, where brands seek to offer more accessible versions without compromising the essence of the product, primarily aiming to increase sales volume and market share.
In addition to the six-speed automated transmission, supplied by Horse, the other versions of the Kardian continue to offer options with manual transmission, thereby maintaining diversity of choice according to consumers’ preferences.
All models feature the same turbo engine, reinforcing the Kardian’s identity as a modern, efficient, and competitive compact SUV.
In the 2025 scenario, the competition in the segment of compact automatic SUVs with turbo engines reaches a new level with the advancement of launches and updates from major automakers.
Renault, Fiat, and Volkswagen are leading a true race for innovation and accessibility, focusing on serving diverse audiences, from young urban families to PcD consumers, increasingly valued by brands.
With this launch, Renault reinforces its strategy to democratize turbo technology and automatic transmission in Brazil, creating opportunities for more consumers to access a modern, efficient vehicle adapted to everyday needs, without sacrificing fuel economy, safety, and connectivity.
In light of the changes and the constant search for more accessible, economical, and technological vehicles, a question arises: what criteria weighs more in the choice of Brazilian consumers when opting for a turbo automatic SUV, price, range, or embedded technology?
Esse Kardian nada mais é que o Dacia Stepway europeu, mesma plataforma, mesmo interior, mesmo motor, deram um tiro no próprio pé, pois o consumidor não é cego. Em pensar que desistiram de trazer a nova geração do Sandero que bate recordes de vendas na Europa, é simplesmente estar na direção errada.
Essa carro não tem nada de Dacia, falta de informação amigo, essa nova plataforma foi desenvolvida no Brasil e dará origem a novos projetos além do Kardian, Boral e a Pickup Niágara
Autonomia de 900Km, nunca! Não chega nem a 600Km, muito fakenews a reportagem.
Vc tem um Kardian pra fala q nao chega,
Ou vc nao sabe ler, em condições ideais
Tenho um, trabalho com ele ando 5k por mês, vários tanques rodo mais de 800km
Nao acho difícil de fazer os 900km se tiver paciência pra andar na velocidade da via e sorte pra nao pegar transito…
Não citaram o consumo.