Autocar India
•1d

Should I consider purchasing Renault duster hybrid as a first time buyer? My primary requirement is decent mileage and long term reliability.

Verified
•3m

The Renault Duster hybrid is an impressive car but the hybrid variant only makes sense if you will be driving a lot more than average. If your annual coverage is over 20,000km and most of it is in the city, then the hybrid variant makes more sense financially. If the Duster is what you like, given its styling and presence, the turbo-petrol version would be better to go for. However, since mileage is a strong priority, we would recommend you to check the Maruti Suzuki Victoris instead. It is the same size as the Duster, but offers better efficiency and comes with the reliability of Maruti. It is hassle-free, easy on the pocket and the vast service network and low part price also makes for a better case. The styling is not as bold as the Duster, but for your needs, the high mileage, easy-to-drive nature and reliability makes it a better choice. 

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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•2d

I’m from Visakhapatnam and am planning to buy a new SUV. I have been using a Honda Amaze diesel since 2013. Before that, I owned a Maruti 800 for 10 years. I am 63 years old and retired, and my annual running will be around 9,000-10,000 km. My driving will mostly involve a mix of city and highway use, and I intend to keep the car for 10-12 years. Mileage is one of my biggest priorities, followed by looks, driving enjoyment and long-term ownership costs. My budget is around Rs 16-17 lakh, and I want an automatic transmission. I also have a home charging facility. Should I consider the Kia Syros EV? My main concern is its boxy styling, which I don't particularly like. I also don't want a panoramic sunroof. Could you suggest which variant would suit my requirements from the following options: Kia Syros EV, Hyundai Bayon, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Grand Vitara, Fronx facelift, Volkswagen Taigun, Honda Elevate and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder?

Verified
•2d

If you can get past the styling of the Kia Syros EV, it is a compelling option for your requirements. It is smooth and powerful; the regenerative braking is beautifully calibrated, and the real-world range is good. Despite being under four metres long, it is surprisingly spacious and has a large boot, making it practical for family use. With home charging available and your intention to keep the car for 10 to 12 years, it is worth serious consideration. Just make sure you are comfortable with the design before committing.If you prefer an ICE vehicle and fuel efficiency is your biggest priority, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid is worth looking at. With current offers, it could come close to your budget, and its biggest advantage is fuel economy, with over 20kpl possible even in city driving.

VehicleKia Syros EV
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Victoris
•3d

I'm looking for a compact SUV that feels well-built and is enjoyable to drive. My driving is split roughly 60:40 between the city and highways in Bengaluru. I was considering the Tata Sierra and Hyundai Creta EV, but after multiple test drives, I realised the Sierra is too boxy for my taste and the Creta EV is too expensive. I hadn't seriously considered the Skoda Kushaq or Volkswagen Taigun before, but I really enjoyed driving them. They feel superbly built, do the basics of being a car very well and put a smile on your face while doing so. However, they lack auto-hold and consume a lot of petrol. I recently moved back to India, and this will be our first car. I hadn't given much thought to range until recently. I've already booked the Renault Duster hybrid without a proper test drive, but I want to test-drive the Duster 1.3-litre DCT and the Kushaq/Taigun 1.5-litre DSG versions as well. I expect to get a chance to test-drive the Duster hybrid in about a week or 10 days. What would your advice be at this stage?

Verified
•9h

With your requirements, the Renault Duster Hybrid would be the ideal choice against the Volkswagen and the Skoda. The Duster is enjoyable to drive, and its hybrid powertrain also offers good fuel efficiency. Since 60% of your driving is in the city, the Duster Hybrid would be idealIt isn't a typical hybrid with a CVT that can whine when you accelerate on the highway. Instead, it has a proper gearbox that feels a lot more adept at triple-digit speeds, making highway drives more enjoyable. Boot space is also quite good for a hybrid, so there isn't much of a compromise in practicality. You miss out on things like a spare wheel as standard and a 360-degree camera, but otherwise, the cabin is well equipped.Back seat space is not exactly class best, but cushioning and support from the seats are rather good. The only other issue might be after-sales service. Check where Renault dealerships are in your area and if it's not a problem then the Duster would be the ideal choice to get for your requirements.

VehicleRenault Duster
•3d

I live in Bangalore and currently, I own a 2008 Swift Dzire. Now, I am looking for a mid-size SUV (around 4.3 m in length due to home parking constraints) under a budget of Rs. 18-20 lakh (+/- Rs. 2 lakh). I cannot opt for an EV or diesel due to my low usage and I cannot opt for a petrol-CNG hybrid, as I feel it is more suited for cabs and then, I will have to wait in very long lines at filling stations since I have observed around 30 cars in queue near my area. I am worried about the uncertainty around ethanol-blending issues, and low mileage of 1.5 litre engine. Petrol-electric hybrid cars are slightly over my budget. I have another year to finalise my new car, which may be my last car purchase, if all goes well. I am not interested in fancy ADAS features. I am confused between Hyryder Hybrid and Creta NA petrol engine. The car will be mostly used for outstation trips. Are there any other cars that you would recommend?

Verified
•23h

Since diesel, EV and CNG are out of contention, a petrol-hybrid actually gives you the best of what you need. The new Renault Duster Hybrid is an ideal choice given your requirements and your budget. It gets a 1.8 L engine that is mated to a battery pack, making it a strong hybrid with very strong efficiency. It is also around 4.3 m in length.It's also a good-looking car with a lot of ground clearance so bad roads will definitely not worry it. Also, despite being a hybrid boot space is actually usable. For your outstation trips you're not going to struggle too much.Between all the options the Duster Hybrid is the best choice. The starting price is Rs. 17 lakhs but given your budget that can stretch slightly above 20 lakhs. You can actually opt for the top spec model as well. It gets a good amount of kit but it does not get ADAS, which you anyways don't want. The only thing that you would find missing is a spare wheel and a 360° camera. You can get the spare wheel as an optional extra and there is space under the boot floor to store that as well.All things considered I think the Duster Hybrid would be a good choice for you.

VehicleRenault Duster

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Posted on: 30 Oct 2026