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•19w

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?

•19w

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 the hybrid variant of this Renault car 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.

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Renault

Duster

from ₹12.17 Lakh

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•5d

The new Renault Duster seems does not have a wide 2nd row seat to accommodate 3 adults comfortably. Will the upcoming Renault Bigster be better in this aspect?

•4d

Yes, the Renault Bigster will be the better choice if accommodating three adults in the second row is a priority. The Duster is a strong product with excellent ride comfort and driving dynamics, but its rear seat width is not its strongest point. The Bigster is positioned as a larger, more family-oriented three-row SUV, and one of its key advantages is a wider cabin and a more accommodating second row. It is designed to be a more practical family SUV, and that includes better space for three adults at the back. If your primary requirement is rear seat width and comfort for three passengers, the Bigster is the more suitable option but you'll have to wait till the middle of next year

Renault Bigster

Renault Duster

•3d

I am planning to buy a new car under a budget of Rs. 22-23 lakh. I drive a 12-year old Chevrolet Sail diesel now. I really enjoy driving this car, particularly its MultiJet engine with a good mid-range torque. I value driving dynamics and pleasure of driving more than fuel efficiency and features. I prefer sedan over an SUV. My dad owns a 2022 Skoda Slavia 1.0 MT. I really like that car but in city driving, I've felt noticeable turbo lag at low speeds. Other than that, Slavia is a very good car. So I have shortlisted 2026 Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG. But only thing that I worry about is the reliability of a DSG with its dry clutch system, because I tend to keep the car for at least next 7-8 years. Also, I have doubts about its city driving manners. But I live in a tier-2 city and encounter stop and go traffic rarely. I hit the highways often though. So, will the Slavia 1.5 satisfy my needs coming from a good torquey diesel engine? Another SUV that I am interested is the Duster/Tekton, because I have heard that they are the closest to the German twins in driving pleasure and dynamics. Can I go with the Slavia 1.5 DSG or should I go with Duster/Tekton 1.3 DCT?

•3d

Go for the Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG. You will appreciate the 1.5 TSI's strong mid-range punch and the way it pulls on the highway. Since you live in a tier 2 city with minimal stop-and-go traffic and do frequent highway runs, the DSG should not be a major concern over a 7-8 year ownership period. The 1.5 Slavia also offers a more engaging driving experience than the 1.0 TSI, with noticeably stronger performance and less turbo lag once you are on the move.The Renault Duster/Tekton twins are genuinely good to drive, with excellent ride quality and strong dynamics, but they aren't as involving to drive or as agile as the Slavia. The Slavia also benefits from a more premium cabin and a better overall ownership experience. Overall, the Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG is the car that will keep you happiest over the long term.

Skoda Slavia (2022-2026)

Renault Duster

Nissan Tekton

•2d

I currently own a Tata Manza Diesel, and our car has been amazing so far, (clocked in 2L+ km) but we are planning to buy a new one under a budget of Rs. 25 lakh that is a step up from Manza in all areas. We are a family of four, but occasionally 5 passengers travel in the car. So, we want a car with a comfortable 2nd row that fits three occupants. We want a car with 600L+ big boot space (preferably) measured by depth instead of height. Our daily running is mostly within the city, but we like to drive, so occasional highway trips are always going to be on the cards. Between the powertrains, we prefer diesel, but are open to electric as well since we have a parking spot where we can easily install a charging point. Our shortlisted cars so far include XEV 9e and Kia Seltos.

•2d

Between the XEV 9e and Seltos, the XEV 9e is the better fit for your requirements, particularly because you have a dedicated parking spot where a home charger can be installed. It is a much bigger and more substantial upgrade from the Manza, with a spacious cabin, a genuinely comfortable second row that can accommodate three adults, and a 663 liter boot. The rear seat also gets a reclining backrest, and the wide cabin avoids the knees up seating position found in some EVs.The Seltos diesel AT is the more conventional choice and would be preferable if you want to stay with diesel. It has a comfortable rear seat that can accommodate three average sized adults, and the diesel AT is refined and well suited to long distance driving. However, its 447 liter boot is significantly smaller than your preferred 600 liters or more and the boot itself is not very deep.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Kia Seltos

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•1w

I am confused between Creta SX IVT and Elevate CVT for 8000 km of annual running with long trips of 1200 km 3-4 times in a year for a family of 4. Apart from this, day to day usage is less than 100km per month. I am looking for a car for long term ownership and travel comfort.

•1w

The Creta SX IVT is the better fit for your requirement. It offers a quieter, more refined cabin, comfortable rear seats and a smoother CVT, which are particularly valuable when spending several hours on the highway with four people and luggage. Autocar's long term experience with the Creta petrol IVT also found it refined, comfortable and particularly well suited to road trips.The Honda Elevate CVT has advantages of its own. Its 220mm ground clearance, long travel suspension and large 458-litre boot make it particularly good on poor roads, while its naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine and CVT make for a relatively simple powertrain. However, the cabin is noticeably noisier, particularly when accelerating hard, and the CVT can produce the typical rubber band effect.

Honda Elevate (2023-2026)

Hyundai Creta

•5d

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual and automatic. My current ride is a Fluidic Verna diesel manual, which is nearing 15 years of ownership and has clocked nearly 2.5 lakh km. My usage consists of mixed city and highway driving, with around 40km daily and weekend highway runs of about 400km. For long-term ownership, which would be the better choice: the manual or automatic?

•5d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel automatic. The diesel engine is well suited to your high running, and the automatic gearbox is a proven torque converter unit that is reliable and well matched to the engine. This Mahindra car will make your daily city driving far less tiring, while still being smooth and efficient on the highway. Coming from a 15-year-old Hyundai Verna diesel manual, the automatic will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and ease of use, without compromising on long-term reliability. The manual is still a good option if you strongly prefer the engagement, but for your usage and ownership horizon, the automatic is the smarter choice.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Verna

•1w

Hi, I am planning to buy a CNG SUV and am considering the Tata Nexon CNG and Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG. I will be driving around 150km every day for office, so my main concerns are fuel economy and maintenance costs. Many people have suggested the Brezza because of its mileage and lower running costs, but Tata is also a large company and has a wide service network. So, why do buyers generally recommend the Brezza over the Nexon CNG? I personally prefer the Nexon, but I am confused about whether it would be the right choice for my daily usage. Which one would make more sense for my requirements?

•1w

Go with the Tata Nexon CNG if that is your preference. At 150 km daily, CNG is the right fuel choice, and both the Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Brezza are factory CNG cars, so reliability and safety are not a concern. The Nexon CNG is a strong product with good performance, a comfortable ride and a well-equipped cabin. The reason many people suggest the Brezza is Maruti's reputation for low maintenance costs, wide service reach and a long-standing reputation for hassle-free ownership. The Brezza CNG is also a very reliable and efficient package. However, the Nexon CNG is the more modern car and feels more premium inside.At 150 km daily, the key is to choose the car you will enjoy driving every day. The Nexon CNG is a solid choice, and there is no reason to change your decision.

Tata Nexon

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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