•6w

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?

•5w

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.

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•2d

I own a 2017 Hyundai i20 Asta (O) with around 60,000 km on the odometer. I am planning to upgrade with a budget of Rs. 20 lakh. My priorities are an automatic transmission, ADAS, a sunroof and a powered tailgate. I have shortlisted the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Renault Duster. Which of these would be the best long-term choice, and why?

•1d

Pick the Hyundai Creta. It is the smoothest step-up from your i20 and the most complete long-term choice here, with a calm CVT automatic for city traffic, a comfortable ride, and Hyundai’s wider service reach and resale backing you over 8-10 years.The Creta gets ADAS on the top automatic trims, and you still get the big sunroof and all the tech you’d want. However, it does miss out on a powered tailgate, which the Duster gets. If you're okay with not having that feature, the Creta represents the best option here.

Hyundai Creta

Renault Duster

•2d

Wanted to buy an automatic car within a budget of Rs. 15 lakh on-road, with an additional Rs. 1.5 lakh available from my old car exchange. I have shortlisted the Honda Elevate VX CVT and the Renault Duster Revolution 1.3 CVT. My monthly usage includes 1,000-1,200 km of city driving and around 500 km of outstation travel. Please suggest which one I should choose, or recommend any other car in the same category and budget. My priorities are good headroom and a comfortable rear seat.

•1d

Pick the Honda Elevate VX CVT. With your heavy city running, its smooth CVT automatic, lighter controls and great visibility make everyday driving easier and calmer, and the cabin is spacious with a comfortable rear bench for two adults. It also rides well enough for your monthly 500 km outstation trips and should be more fuel efficient and easier to maintain than the Duster.The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT only makes sense if you really value the strong punch from its turbo engine and the robust suspension on rough roads. It is quicker and feels tougher on bad patches, but expect lower city mileage and a rear seat that is not as spacious as the Honda's.If you want one more to check in the same bracket, look at the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 automatic. It has a comfy back seat, it's easy to drive, has decent mileage and will be stress-free to live with.

Honda Elevate

Renault Duster

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•3d

Hi, my car-buying parameters are these: a 4.3-metre SUV, 5-star safety, an affordable turbo-petrol engine with good highway performance, an automatic transmission for convenience, great ground clearance for Bangalore's bad roads, a large boot for travel, a decent cabin that feels acceptable and at least a little modern, and good stability, ride quality and comfort. I have narrowed it down to two cars: the Kia Seltos HTK/HTK(O) CVT and the Renault Duster Evolution DCT. But now I'm stuck in a vicious circle of confusion because I feel the Duster Evolution's interior, at around Rs 18.8 lakh on-road, is too basic compared to similarly priced Seltos variants like the HTK or HTK(O). I know Renault is offering a terrific engine, a great ride and a stable car, but I can't convince myself that manual AC knobs, no start-stop system and no auto-dimming IRVM are acceptable in 2026. I genuinely love the Duster, and it feels perfect for my family and me. It will mostly be my wife and me, and occasionally my parents and brother, travelling on long weekend journeys. Should I sacrifice the engine and performance and go for the nicer interiors of the Kia, or should I choose the more utilitarian Duster and accept that the cabin is relatively bare? I can't stretch my budget to the Seltos HTK(O) DCT or the Duster Techno DCT. Please help, I'm heavily confused.

•1d

Pick the Renault Duster Evolution DCT. Your use is long highway runs with family and Bangalore’s rough roads, and here the Duster’s 1.3 turbo and suspension make life easier and calmer. It overtakes cleanly even with four adults and luggage, rides over broken patches without slowing to a crawl, and feels very stable at speed. The Kia Seltos HTK/HTK(O) CVT is nicer inside, yes, but that 1.5 petrol with the automatic will feel flat when the car is loaded, and you hit inclines or need quick passes.Your worry about the Duster’s basic feature set with the Evolution trim is fair, but that’s the compromise that buys you the better drive for your highway trips. If most of your driving were city commutes, the Kia’s cabin and convenience would win. For your weekend highway touring, the Duster’s strengths will matter every single time.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

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•3d

I am planning to buy an SUV and prefer the German twins Škoda and Volkswagen. Which one is better? Also, how significant is the DSG issue in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NCR region? This will be my fourth car, so I want to try a German brand.

•2d

Between the German twins, the choice largely comes down to personal preference, as they share the same engines, gearboxes and underpinnings. We slightly prefer the Kushaq for its cleaner design, excellent ride and handling balance and overall value proposition.As for the DSG, it isn't as big a concern as it once was. The current DSGs are far more robust than the earlier units, but if your driving is predominantly in bumper-to-bumper NCR traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the smoother and more relaxed option over the long term. If you want to stay with a German SUV but avoid the DSG altogether, the 1.0 TSI automatic in the Kushaq and Taigun now comes with an 8-speed Aisin torque-converter, which is smooth, refined and better suited to heavy city traffic.Coming from the S-Cross Petrol, you'll notice a significant step up in performance, cabin quality, safety and driving dynamics with either car.

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•1w

Hi, I have a budget of Rs. 40 lakh and am confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O), and the Toyota Fortuner Petrol. I am 28 years old and want a car that is fun to drive but also comfortable for my family. My driving will be split 80:20 between on-road and off-road use.

•4d

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

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•3d

I have a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, and I am extremely satisfied with its mileage (900-1000 km from 45 liters). However, I am losing the joy of driving. I migrated to this car after owning a Swift Dzire Diesel and an XL6. The mismatch between engine revs and acceleration is becoming unpleasant. Overtaking feels riskier, and even the brakes feel spongy. I have experienced a few unpleasant situations because of this. As a result, I have reduced my overall speed, making the safety of my family a bigger priority. But the driver in me is unhappy. Should I upgrade to the Duster Hybrid, the Hycross Hybrid, or the newly launched Sierra EV? Also, do diesel engines still make sense today?

•3d

From what you've described, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has impressed you with its efficiency but left you wanting more from behind the wheel. If driving enjoyment is back on your priority list, the Duster Hybrid looks like the most natural upgrade. It is expected to offer a much more engaging driving experience while retaining the fuel efficiency benefits of a strong hybrid.The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid will certainly improve on comfort, refinement and performance, but it won't fundamentally change the character you're looking for. It is still geared towards relaxed family motoring rather than enthusiastic driving.The Tata Sierra EV is an interesting option and has now been launched. It promises strong performance, a premium cabin and a spacious interior. However, if the "driver in you" misses the involvement and confidence of your earlier diesel cars, we'd still wait to experience how the Duster Hybrid drives before making a decision.As for diesels, we don't think they should be ruled out altogether. With the right usage, they continue to make sense. However, given your appreciation for the fuel economy of your Grand Vitara and the direction the market is heading, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid rather than going back to diesel.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Innova HyCross

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Posted on: 25 May 2026