I am confused between the Duster Tech Automatic 1.3 litre and the MG Windsor EV. Which should I buy?

Autocar India

•27m

The MG Windsor EV and Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo CVT cater to very different priorities, so your choice really depends on how and where you drive.

If your usage is mostly city-based and your round trips are typically under 280 km, the Windsor EV makes far more sense. It’s quiet, smooth and relaxing to drive, which makes it perfect for daily commutes and stop-start traffic. There are no gearshifts to feel, the accelerator pedal response is instant, and overall refinement is superb compared to a petrol automatic. If you can install a home charger and most of your trips are within the city, ownership is refreshingly simple and economical. All you do is just plug in overnight and wake up to a full battery every morning.

The Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo, on the other hand, is a great all-rounder. It’s far more versatile, comfortable over long distances, and feels reassuringly tough on rough roads. The high ground clearance and rugged build make it ideal for highway runs and weekend getaways. However, its running costs are higher than the EV’s, and the turbo-petrol plus 6-speed DCT combination isn’t quite as seamless in bumper-to-bumper traffic, with some turbo lag and gearshift delay.

In short, for city life and short commutes, the Windsor EV is the smarter, calmer, and cheaper-to-run choice. But if your driving includes frequent long trips or rough-road conditions, the Duster’s durability and range flexibility make it the more practical buy.

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Windsor

from ₹14.96 Lakh

Renault

Duster

from ₹12.43 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Srinivas

•2d

I am looking for a mid-size SUV and am confused between the Duster and the Elevate. Most of my usage will be for long trips, with very little city driving. My mind says Elevate CVT, as it is a no-nonsense car with strong reliability. My heart says Duster DCT, but worried as it is a freshly baked product. I'm worried about the brand’s poor service and the reliability of a DCT, etc. Please guide me.

Autocar India

•22h

If dependability and fuss-free ownership are your top priorities, the Honda Elevate CVT remains the safer choice, backed by Honda’s strong reputation for reliability and longevity. It’s a simple, well-sorted SUV that’s easy to live with, especially for largely urban usage.That said, given your focus on long highway trips, the Renault Duster might actually serve you better on the open road. Its 1.3‑litre turbo‑petrol engine is punchy and well‑suited to highway cruising, and the ride quality is distinctly more mature and composed at higher speeds. Compared to the Elevate, the Duster feels more planted, and cabin insulation is noticeably better, while the Elevate’s CVT can get noisy when driven hard.Your concerns about Renault’s patchy service network and the long‑term reliability of its DCT are valid, but they may not be deal‑breakers if the new Duster delivers on its promise. If Renault manages to reinvigorate its dealer ecosystem, ownership experience could see a marked improvement.

Honda Elevate

Renault Duster

Das

•4d

Hello, I am planning to buy my first car. Looking for a comfortable car for a family of four. Expecting 35-40,000 km drive in a year (90% road and 10% off-road type). I want something smooth, powerful, and fuel-efficient. We do have a small farm, so boot space needs to be considered for farm harvest. My budget is up to ₹18 lakh. Which car would be best? Thanks in advance.

Autocar India

•22h

We would recommend the Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo in the Techno trim. Engine refinement is very good, with no vibrations at idle, and it remains smooth even while driving. Power figures are class-leading at 163hp and 280Nm of torque, offering strong performance. Since you have some off-road driving to your farm, the Duster's generous ground clearance of 212mm will come in handy, and the boot space is also very large at 518 litres. So you should be able to carry some of your farm produce. The only downside is rear space, which is a bit tight, but since you are a family of four, it should not be too much of an issue.We are yet to put the Duster through our full instrumented test cycle, but efficiency should be at par with others in the segment, but certainly not class leading. However, given its other traits that suit your requirements, this is the car we would recommend.If you can stretch your budget to about Rs 20 lakh, you could consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO. While you may not need its seven-seat capacity, folding the third row gives you a very large boot, which is useful for carrying farm produce. The ground clearance is also good, and if your roads are difficult, you could even consider the AWD version, though this would come at a higher price still.

Renault Duster

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Saurab

•5d

I am looking to buy a new SUV and have considered options like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq, Tata Sierra, Tata Harrier, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and the new Renault Duster. I have test-driven all of them and found the Creta to be the most comfortable, though it feels slightly outdated. The Elevate also seems to lack some modern features and feels a bit dated. The Kushaq/Taigun feel slightly small for five occupants, which is a concern. I really enjoyed driving the new Duster, but rear seat comfort seemed to be an issue. This car will be my primary vehicle for weekly Jaipur–Delhi trips and occasional long drives, while city usage will mostly be handled by my secondary car (Volkswagen Polo diesel). Based on this, which SUV should I choose, and which engine option would you recommend?

Autocar India

•1d

If you found the Hyundai Creta the most comfortable but too dated, the obvious answer is the new Kia Seltos. It gives you that same relaxed, easy-going ride but is more spacious than the Creta and feels more modern and upmarket inside, which will make your frequent Jaipur-Delhi runs nicer to live with.Given your usage is mainly highway with the Polo handling city duty, we would strongly recommend the 1.5 turbo-petrol Seltos. It has a strong mid-range punch, plenty of torque for effortless overtakes, and cruises very comfortably, which is exactly what you want for long, fast runs.The new Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and Renault Duster are all very good to drive on the highway and dynamically more engaging, but as you’ve noticed, their rear seats are tighter for three adults across, and that’s a compromise on long trips with family. That’s where the Seltos scores: it strikes the best balance between space, comfort and a properly fresh cabin.

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