Autocar India
DE

Devdutta

1d

I own a 2015 Hyundai i20 Active SX and have clocked around 75,000 km on it. I now want to upgrade to a new petrol-hybrid car, mainly for 90% city use and 10% highway driving. Please suggest suitable options.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
8m

With 90:10 city to highway use and an upgrade from your 2015 Hyundai i20, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong-hybrid automatic is the best fit. In slow city traffic it can move on electric power a lot of the time, so it feels very quiet and smooth and uses less fuel. The automatic makes daily driving easy, the seat is higher than your i20 Active so you see out better, and Maruti's service reach is wide, which helps for long-term peace of mind.

Know the trade-offs: the hybrid’s battery eats into boot space, and when you press hard on the highway the engine can sound loud and you may need a bit more planning for fast overtakes.

If you prefer the Toyota badge, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid gives you the same smooth city drive with a different cabin feel. If you want a sedan, look at the Honda City and pick the hybrid variant if available near you; it is very smooth and efficient in town, but the boot is smaller than the standard City. Overall, for mostly city driving, the Victoris hybrid lines up best.

Renault will be out with the Duster hybrid later this year and that could be an option to consider if you're not in a rush to bring home a new car. 

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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AE

Abhay Elhence

2d

I have been driving a Renault Duster for the past 13 years and have been extremely happy with the overall ownership experience. I am now planning to replace it and am seriously considering the upcoming Renault Duster Hybrid expected around the Diwali launch period. I am essentially looking for a car that offers a strong balance of driving pleasure, safety, comfort, good looks, and sensible fuel efficiency. Would the new 1.8L Renault Duster Hybrid be the right choice for my requirements, or should I also consider other options in the ₹20-30 lakh price bracket that offer a similar experience?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
3h

Since you are a happy Renault Duster owner, the best upgrade for you is the new Duster hybrid. The new-gen Duster really does feel like an upgrade in terms of its interior ambience, features and tech. Age-old Duster traits like the steering shock have been fixed, and in top-spec form, there is a premium vibe to the otherwise rugged package. The only catch is that the space is about the same as your Duster. A larger 7-seat version of the Duster is also due for launch and could bring with it a roomier cabin too.As for the 1.8-litre strong hybrid powertrain, it sure has the makings of a very enticing option. The engine is strong and coupled to electric motors; real-world fuel efficiency should be very good, too. We would definitely wait for Renault's hybrid before finalising any SUV in the Rs 20 lakh plus price band.FYI - The next-gen Hyundai Creta that comes by early 2027 is also expected to launch with a strong hybrid powertrain.

VehicleRenault Duster
SA

sarvajith

4d

Hi, I am planning to upgrade from my 2016 Maruti Suzuki Ignis AMT to an automatic SUV. My budget is Rs. 20-22 lakh. The usage will mostly be in Bangalore city, along with occasional highway trips. My priorities are safety, a fun-to-drive experience, and then comfort. Please suggest suitable options.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

For your priorities, we would suggest the Renault Duster 1.3 turbo DCT. Coming from an Ignis AMT, this will feel like a massive upgrade in every meaningful way. The wet clutch DCT is a big advantage in Bangalore traffic because it is smoother and less prone to overheating than the dry clutch DCT setups used in rivals like the Seltos and Creta, while still delivering quick responses when you want to drive enthusiastically.More importantly, the Duster is genuinely enjoyable from behind the wheel. It feels involving to drive, has strong performance from the 1.3 turbo petrol and the ride quality is very absorbent and comfortable, which matters on Bangalore’s mixed road conditions. The one trade off is rear seat space, which is not as generous as some rivals in this segment.If rear seat space matters more, the new Tata Sierra 1.5 turbo petrol automatic is also worth considering. It is practical, spacious and still nice to drive, though it is not quite as driver focused as the Duster.If your absolute priority is playing it safe from an ownership familiarity perspective, the Kia Seltos turbo DCT is the safer mainstream pick.

VehicleRenault Duster
VehicleTata Sierra
VehicleHyundai Creta
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Ignis
VehicleKia Seltos

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Posted on: 25 May 2026