Autocar India
SO

Soumil

•1d

I’m on the hunt for a car with a budget of around ₹20 lakh ex-showroom. I’m open to stretching the budget a bit if I find a truly amazing car or one with cutting-edge tech. Right now, I hold a R-Pass booking for the Duster Hybrid. I took the Duster 1.3L DCT for a spin and absolutely loved the driving feel and the engine. The front cabin was also quite nice. However, my family felt the rear was very cramped and congested. I don’t want people sitting in the rear complaining about my car space. It’s usually just my wife and me travelling; my family rarely joins us for long trips. So, we’re still deciding whether to stick with the hybrid or explore other options because of the cramped space at the rear. Also, if they launch it at ₹ 24-25 L, starting it would be overpriced for the quality it offers. I also test-drove a Seltos Diesel Automatic. Everyone enjoyed it equally. The only thing it didn’t quite have was the performance of the VW or Duster 1.3. But overall, it’s a good, stable car with good comfort and a smooth drive, the best overall. I’m a bit worried about the ethanol blending updates without proper planning by the government, and how it will affect our petrol cars, as the maximum supported blending is E20. Diesel feels safer, especially since staying in Mumbai, I can do weekly or bi-weekly highway trips through the Atal-Setu/Palm Beach Road to get the right amount of highway running to avoid DPF issues. I don’t have a home charger for an EV for at least a year until I shift into our new apartment, so I’m not sure if I should consider them. Also, there aren’t any reliable EVs within my budget except for the Hyundai Creta EV. It’s a nice car, but it feels a bit outdated and isn’t rated as safe as a 5-star vehicle. Staying away from Tata cars. Any suggestions welcome

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•23m

Coming to the first part of your question, you mentioned that you loved the driving experience of the Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT, you are planning to skip it because your family wasn't happy with the space at the back. We would strongly advise you to reconsider.

Yes, space is tighter than most rivals in this class, and ingress/egress (for rear passengers) is a bit difficult, but if you're rarely going to have passengers at the back, it shouldn't be a deal-breaker for you. If you really enjoyed the drive experience, it is certainly worth going for. The turbo-DCT isn't very fuel efficient, but keep in mind that the hybrid is likely to command a significant premium over it, so unless your usage is over 1500km per month, it is worth opting for the turbo-petrol DCT.

The Kia Seltos is an excellent all-rounder, when it comes to space, comfort, interior quality and it is one that checks all the right boxes, however unlike the Duster, it lacks that emotional appeal, so it won't tug at your heartstrings. If you go for it, you won't go wrong with it.

Your concern of whether the petrol engine will be capable of handling higher Ethanol blend is valid, so opting for an EV could be an option, but be prepared to pay a premium for an electric powertrain. As far as the Hyundai Creta Electric goes, yes, it does feel a bit old compared to the modern offerings, however it is an excellent car - one that we easily recommend.

Renault Duster

Renault Duster

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More questions on similar cars

VI

Vivek

•1d

I need advice regarding my next car purchase. I am currently confused between the following options: Skoda Kushaq 1.5L DSG Monte Carlo Volkswagen Taigun 1.5L DSG GT Renault Duster 1.3L Iconic DCT I currently drive a 2016 Renault Duster Diesel 110PS AMT. After test-driving all three cars, I found the Kushaq and Taigun to be more engaging and enjoyable to drive. However, they miss out on features like ADAS and adaptive cruise control, which the newer Duster offers.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•17h

The Renault Duster is the only one of the options shortlisted to get Level 2 ADAS, specifically adaptive cruise control. So if these are a must-have for you, then go ahead with the Duster. It is a good option with excellent ride comfort, and a large boot, similar to your outgoing car. The steering now feels lighter, the cabin feels modern, the turbo-petrol engine is strong and the DCT is smooth, with the only downside being fuel efficiency which won't be as good as your outgoing car.

VehicleRenault Duster
SD

Srujanansh Das

•2d

Hello Autocar India Team, I am planning to buy a new family car with a maximum on-road budget of ₹13-14.5 lakh and would love your recommendation. My requirements include strong engine performance, good features, ample cabin space, 5-star safety, good fuel efficiency, comfortable ride quality, and solid build quality. I currently own a Renault Kwid and am looking for a car that would be a significant upgrade in every aspect, including performance, comfort, safety, and overall driving experience. My usage will be approximately 65% on rural roads and 35% in city driving, so ride comfort, ground clearance, and durability are especially important to me. I am particularly interested in the new Renault Duster Techno 1.0 variant and would like to know whether it would be a suitable choice for my needs. If not, please suggest other cars within this budget that you believe offer a better overall package. Thank you for your guidance.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1d

If strong performance is high on your priority list, we would be cautious about the Renault Duster 1.0 Techno. While we have experienced this 1.0 turbo petrol engine in the Magnite, where it feels punchy and capable, the Duster is a significantly larger and heavier SUV, so we do not expect it to feel particularly quick or effortless, especially if you are looking for a meaningful upgrade from a Kwid in outright performance.If your heart is set on the Duster, the smarter move would be to stretch slightly for the 1.3 turbo petrol, which sits only a little above your budget and will feel substantially stronger and more satisfying to drive, especially on rural roads where effortless overtaking and usable performance matter.If you are open to alternatives, the Skoda Kushaq Classic+ 1.0 TSI is a very strong option. The turbo petrol engine feels punchy, the Kushaq is genuinely nice to drive, has good rear seat space, solid build and safety credentials that you are looking for.If fuel efficiency matters more than outright performance, then the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol HTE(O) is worth considering as well. It will not feel as punchy as the turbo petrol options, but it is the most premium feeling of the lot, more efficient in everyday use and a very sorted family SUV overall.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleRenault Duster
VehicleRenault Kwid
VehicleNissan Magnite
KD

Kalpesh dalia

•2d

Hi, I am planning to buy a diesel automatic SUV and am currently confused between the Tata Nexon Fearless Plus PS, Hyundai Creta, and Kia Seltos. My budget is around ₹17 lakh, and my weekly running is approximately 50 km.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•23m

With just 50 km a week, we would strongly advise against a diesel automatic. Your running is simply too low for a modern diesel to make sense, and repeated low usage can create DPF-related headaches over time.Between your options, the Hyundai Creta petrol automatic or Kia Seltos petrol automatic are the much smarter choices. If we had to pick one, we would lean toward the Seltos IVT because it feels slightly more premium inside, and the IVT automatic is exceptionally smooth in daily use. The Creta IVT is equally good mechanically and rides a touch softer, so if comfort is your absolute top priority, it remains a very strong option too.

VehicleHyundai Creta
VehicleKia Seltos

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Popular discussions right now

SS

SS

•1w

My wife and I earn around ₹4.5 lakh per month. We are planning to buy our first car, and we prefer the EMI to be around ₹15,000-₹20,000. What car would you suggest we should buy?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•3d

It really depends on how much down payment you are comfortable putting in, because your EMI target of Rs 15,000 to 20,000 can get you very different cars depending on the loan tenure and upfront payment.That said, for a first car that is easy to drive, safe, comfortable and still feels special, one of the strongest picks today is the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic. Skoda’s official pricing puts the Signature automatic in a range where, with roughly Rs 2.3 down payment and a 7 year loan, your EMI can sit broadly in your target bracket. The turbo petrol engine feels punchy without being intimidating, the torque converter automatic is smooth and fuss free, and the size is just right for a first time buyer.If you want to spend less and prioritise maximum ease of use, the Hyundai i20 IVT is another excellent first car. It is easier to drive than most SUVs, the IVT automatic is extremely smooth in traffic, and ownership is straightforward. You give up the higher seating position of an SUV, but for urban use, it is arguably an even easier first car.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
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NS

Nirmil Shah

•3d

I am interested in the BYD Seal, but I’m concerned about its low ground clearance of the car. Is this a serious issue on Indian roads, speed breakers, and basement ramps?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•2d

The low ground clearance of BYD Seal is something you can live with, especially if you're used to driving sedans. Its nose sits low and the distance between the wheels is long, so tall, badly built breakers and sharp ramp crests can make it touch, especially with four or five people and luggage. However on regular speed breakers, it is likely to clear if you slow right down, and you don't necessarily need to take them at a slight angle.The underbody and battery are protected, so even if it scrapes a few times, it should not be a cause of concern, however, it will feel gut-wrenching to hear the underbody scrape over the unscientifically-built speed humps.Before finalizing, if your daily route has extra-tall breakers or a tricky ramp, take a test drive on that exact path. If it clears there, you’ll be fine in regular use.

VehicleBYD Seal
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Amithab

•3d

Hi, my budget is ₹15 lakh on-road, and I’m confused between buying an EV or a petrol car. My usage will mostly be in the city, with only occasional highway trips.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•2d

For your usage, we would lean towards the Tata Punch EV Long Range. With mostly city driving and only rare highway use, an EV makes more sense than a petrol car because you will benefit from the low running costs, quiet and effortless driving experience, and minimal maintenance. The updated Punch EV Long Range offers substantially more usable range than you are likely to need day to day, which also gives you a comfort buffer for occasional outstation trips rather than locking you into a strict city only use case. The reason to specifically pick the Long Range even if your current use does not demand it is flexibility. You may not need the extra battery every day, but if your usage changes or you decide to do the occasional road trip, having that headroom makes EV ownership much easier and less stressful.

VehicleTata Punch EV

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Posted on: 21 May 2026