Delhi

Krishna Yadav

•6w

I am planning to sell my Mahindra XUV700 and switch to the Renault Duster. I would like your expert opinion on whether this would be a good decision.

Autocar India

•6w

On paper and in real-world ownership, these are very different cars, and the Mahindra XUV 7XO sits in a clear segment above. The XUV 700 is a bigger, more complete SUV. It offers more space, better road presence, stronger performance and a far richer overall experience, including the option of a third row and a more premium cabin. It is designed as a proper family SUV and feels more capable on highways and long drives.

The Renault Duster, even in its new form, is a simpler, more driver-focused and lighter SUV. It will likely be easier to drive in the city and feel more rugged and straightforward, but it is still a step down in terms of overall size, features and cabin experience.

So the decision really comes down to intent. If you are moving because you want something more compact, easier to use daily and less feature-heavy, then the Duster can make sense. But if you are expecting it to feel like an upgrade or even equal to the XUV700 in terms of space, comfort and overall experience, it will not.

Renault Duster

Jyotish Suchdev

•6w

I have a 2020 Renault duster with 1.5 L petrol engine running on CNG. It's a wonderful car to drive. The advantage is it's balance of good performance, fuel efficiency, ruggedness, almost no maintenance except for oil & coolant changes. It doesn't require to downshift while driving on highways, while overtaking. The engine takes quick acceleration easily and without feeling stressed. From 1000RPM to 6000 RPM, the engine delivers power very uniformly, silently. Also I noticed that the manoverability is wonderful and I can drive while zigzagging ahed through slower traffic on the highways without any fear.

S C

•6w

I have been using Renault Dister since 11 years. Its a wonderful majestic car. Highway off road experience is good. But the service is hopeless in any service station. The cost of service evey 6 months ranges from 30 k to 50k. . They have no concept og repair, reuse. Only replace. Maintenance is costly affair. I wish they could do somethg about this

•6w

Anything except Tata and Mahindra due to bad service after sales....I had owned both tata and Mahindra and now MG

Gopivallabh

•5w

When is Duster hybrid is launching in India

Gopivallabh

•5w

When is Duster hybrid launching in india

Mahendraprasad

•5w

I am using a XUV 700 AT 5 seater petrol for about 45 months and covered 55000 Km, I am satisfied with the overall performance but I am getting only 7 km in city and about 10 km in highway, wants to shift to EV, please advise, thanks, Mahendran.

Priyesh

•5w

Been in your place and enjoyed driving till 1lakh kilometres. Realised I could buy another car with the cost of fuel i spent already. Switched to a hycross hybrid as still not sure of ev potential in my 3 tier city where frequent power cuts and voltage fluctuations is a rule rather then a exception.

Suresh

•5w

I own 2017 Duster and already clocked 355000 km and still going strong with 21 km mileage.

JOHN SAMPATH

•5w

Is this available?

Kumar

•6w

I have 2017 Renault Kwid RXT has clocked 52K.Planning for a change which car should be opted in equivalent category, any suggestions please.

Usman

•6w

If unr buying a mahindra car be rest assured your AC won't be in order for life and digital things aren't compatible with a brand lien mahindra

Seeme

•6w

I m planning to buy mahindra xuv 7xo , kindly give some suggestions, as I m completely new in this field..

Prem chand

•6w

Duster i am using from2011. Super vehicle wrt performance and manuarability. I too have SUV 700 .big vehicle for big family both arddress different segmentation

Lax

•6w

Renault AMT 2016 model diesel a- excellent on highway drives and can swiftly takeover - good pickup … Don’t feeel tired after driving 600-700 km in a day !!!

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More questions on similar cars

Karan

•1w

Dear Autocar, firstly, thank you for your detailed and honest car reviews. They genuinely help enthusiasts and buyers make informed decisions. I am considering the Jeep Meridian base model, as it fits my budget and requirements for a spacious, comfortable 5-seater with a large boot. My primary use will be highway touring with my parents, and since I enjoy driving myself, good driving dynamics are also important. Currently, I drive a Renault Duster for daily use, while my brother owns a Volkswagen Tiguan. We are now looking for a comfortable long-distance tourer for trips of 1,500 km or more with ample luggage space. My main concern is the Jeep Meridian’s long-term presence in India, especially considering future CAFE norms. Do you think the Meridian is a sensible choice, and is it likely to remain on sale in the Indian market for the next 3-5 years? Thanks again!

Autocar India

•2d

For long highway trips with your parents, lots of luggage, and a driver who enjoys doing the distance, the Jeep Meridian base variant used as a 5-seater fits well. With the last row folded, the boot is huge, and the ride is calm at speed, so your parents stay comfortable. It feels steady and quiet on expressways, and the diesel’s easy pull makes cruising and quick passes simple. Coming from a Duster, you’ll notice a nicer cabin and better noise insulation. The Meridian isn’t as sharp to drive as the VW Tiguan, but the Jeep rides softer, which suits long tours.Know the trade-offs. The third row is only for short hops and eats boot space when up, so keep it folded. The base trim will miss a few nice-to-haves; if the budget stretches, the next trim up adds useful highway bits. On long-term presence, there’s no signal of Jeep pulling the plug on the Meridian. It’s built here alongside the Compass, meets current emission rules, and CAFE is managed at brand level. A 3-5 year sale window looks safe. Even if plans change, parts and support normally continue for many years.

Eldrich

Can you suggest the best value-for-money mid-size SUV for usage in Bangalore city? The car will mainly be used within the city, along with occasional road trips. My budget is Rs. 15-20 lakh.

Autocar India

•2d

In terms of outright value for money, two midsize SUVs stand out above the rest, at your budget, albeit for very different reasons - the Honda Elevate and Citroen Aircross. Both have fully loaded top-spec petrol automatic variants that come well within your budget and though they might not get all the high-tech features or wow factor some newer rivals do, they have all the essentials and then some. The Citroen scores high on space and comfort, even giving you the option of a third row of seats. Its turbo-petrol engine is punchy, its 6-speed AT is smooth and its ride is super comfortable, with fun driving dynamics too. However, quality isn't quite a strong as others, and Citroen's service network is quite small. Honda's, on the other hand, is not, and its products have been known to be reliable and easy on maintenance. Its CVT auto is smooth, as is its naturally aspirated i-VTEC petrol engine. Refinement, however is not great, and while it's competent, it's not particularly exciting to drive. Between the hassle-free Honda and the quirky Citroen, we would recommend the latter, as its turbocharged engine's punch will be appreciated on your occasional road trips. A third option is the newly launched Renault Duster, but you won't get a top-spec variant in your budget.

I am looking for an SUV under Rs. 30 lakh for a monthly running of around 2,500 km, mostly in city conditions. The vehicle will be chauffeur-driven most of the time, with a few long self-driven trips each year. I intend to keep the vehicle for around 5-7 years.

Autocar India

•22m

Pick the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid or its sister model the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara; with 2,500 km a month in city and a chauffeur, it will slash fuel costs and stay smooth and quiet in traffic. In real city use, you can see around 20kpl, the automatic is seamless, and the hybrid system is proven for long, low-hassle ownership over 5-7 years. The back seat is comfy enough for daily commutes, ride quality is calm, and for your few self-driven highway trips it cruises easily and has the range of a petrol without the diesel DPF worries.One point to note: the hybrid’s boot is smaller than some rivals, so two big suitcases plus soft bags is about it. Also, it isn’t the quickest for fast hill overtakes, though it’s perfectly fine at normal speeds. If you need a bigger rear seat and huge boot above all else, MG Hector is roomier, but its city fuel costs will sting. For your use, the Maruti or Toyota Hybrid is the sweet spot under Rs. 30 lakh.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

MG Hector

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Popular discussions right now

Balaji

•1d

I am looking to buy a 6/7-seater EV. My primary usage will be as a 4-seater, with occasional 6-seater use. I will mainly drive it in the city for my daily office commute and undertake long-distance trips of around 500 km once every two months. I have a solar setup at home and can charge the vehicle comfortably. My budget is Rs 30-40 lakh, although I can stretch it slightly if required.

Autocar India

•11h

You should go for the Mahindra XEV 9S. It's a proper three-row EV, and it fits your use case perfectly. With home solar charging, your running costs are very low, and the smooth, quiet drive is just right for city runs as a 4-seater. When you do need six or seven seats, the third row is reasonably spacious, and for your 500 km trip every couple of months, you’ll need just one quick top-up at a highway charger.Do note that with all three rows up, boot space is tight, so your highway trips will require some planning.Alternatively, consider the Kia Carens Clavis EV. It isn't as feature-rich and doesn't have as much range as the XEV 9S, but its third row is more comfortable for adults.

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Zorro

•1w

Hello Experts, I recently test drove the Citroen C5 Aircross, and my primary concern was the price, around 41-42 lakhs for a diesel model. I'd appreciate your expert opinion on whether it's worth the investment.

Autocar India

•6d

The Citroen C5 Aircross diesel automatic is worth it if your top priority is comfort and a calm drive. It rides over broken roads better than almost anything at this price, the seats are soft and supportive, and the diesel is quiet and smooth, so long trips feel easy. Space is good, the back seat is friendly for three, and the boot is big for airport runs or weekend bags.The catch is value. At this price, others give more showy features and tech. Also, the Citroen brand has a small dealer network, so ready service is available only in pockets. Further, the Citroen brand is not very strong at the moment, and this will impact resale value down the road.Also note, the diesel engine is best suited for longer runs. If your daily life includes rough roads and frequent highway trips, pay for the comfort. If you want rich features, badge pull, or mostly city use, the price feels high.

Citroen C5 Aircross

Arun Sharma

•5d

I am looking to buy a new car, preferably an EV or a strong hybrid, mainly for my daily office commute. My monthly running is around 600–700 km, and I rarely take my own car on outstation trips, as I usually prefer to hire a cab or a chauffeur-driven vehicle for long journeys. I currently drive a Maruti Wagon R CNG and want to upgrade to an automatic car for a more premium, comfortable experience. My budget can stretch up to around ₹22-25 lakh, and my main priorities are: Hassle-free long-term ownership for the next 8–10 years Reliability and low maintenance Comfortable automatic driving experience Practical and sensible design without unnecessary gimmicks or flashy features Good efficiency and peace of mind

Autocar India

•5d

Pick the strong-hybrid variants of the Maruti Grand Vitara, Victoris or Toyota Hyryder. The hybrid powertrain is very efficient; it is an automatic, and Toyota’s hybrid tech has a proven track record worldwide, so keeping it for 8-10 years should be stress-free.Since you don't drive out of the station at all, you could also consider the Hyundai Creta Electric with a 42kWh battery. For your daily office commute, it is a smooth, reliable option.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

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Posted on: 19 Apr 2026