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

•1h

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.

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Renault

Duster

from ₹12.43 Lakh

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smruti ranjan senapati

•1w

Is the Renault Duster E85 ready? What does it mean? I have watched a couple of videos on YouTube from Autocar itself and one other creator. Here are the links: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5838JDpbBWw and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUBLwrvlYbA&t=90s. I am confused about whether to buy the Duster, as ethanol blending will increase, but I really like the interior and exterior of the Kia Seltos. So, I am confused about which one to choose.

Autocar India

•1d

The point we’ve made is that Renault has already proven flex-fuel technology in markets like Brazil, where Renault cars routinely run on high-ethanol blends, so it can be introduced here when there’s a clear policy push and E85 fuel availability. For now, the new Duster’s engine for India is calibrated for E20, in line with our fuel roadmap, but the hardware is material-compliant for higher blends, so there’s some headroom built in.So, in short, the current India-spec Renault Duster is not a flex-fuel E85 vehicle and is not designed to run on E85 today. What it means is that when (and if) E85 becomes commercially relevant here, Renault can fairly quickly localise a proper flex-fuel engine for the Duster, rather than starting from scratch, because the tech already exists in its global portfolio.On your Duster vs Seltos dilemma: If you want a daily driver and won’t be doing too many long out-of-town runs, the Kia Seltos is the more complete package right now, with a better-finished cabin, more features and a roomier, more premium overall experience. The Duster will appeal more if you prioritise driving dynamics and rough-road ability, but purely from a comfort, interiors and family-car perspective, the Seltos edges it out.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Raj singh

•4d

I have a base model diesel Kia Seltos manual, which I have been using since October 2019. I have driven it for 1.10 lakh km. I am now thinking of upgrading, and am considering the Tata Sierra, Renault Duster, and Skoda Kushaq. Should I go for a manual or automatic? My usage is mostly in Pune city, around 1,000 km per month, with an occasional 600 km highway trip every 2-3 months. My budget is 20 lakh. Should I consider petrol, diesel, or hybrid? Also, should I look at a second-hand luxury SUV?

Autocar India

•3d

With mostly Pune city use at about 1,000 km a month and an occasional 600 km highway run, the Renault Duster Techno Plus 1.3 Turbo Petrol DCT is the best of all your shortlisted SUVs within Rs. 20 lakh. It suits your mix because an automatic will take the strain out of traffic, the 1.3 turbo petrol feels smooth at city speeds yet punchy when you need it to be, and the Duster feels sturdy and stable on the highway.Coming from a base Kia Seltos diesel manual, you will notice easier driving in stop-and-go traffic, better features, and a more comfortable ride. This version should sit close to your budget. Do check the current on-road prices in Pune. One trade-off to keep in mind is that a petrol will consume more fuel than your current diesel Seltos. However, given your usage pattern, petrol makes more sense than diesel.You could consider the strong hybrid Maruti Suzuki Victoris, or even the new-gen Kia Seltos, which is a big upgrade from your 2019 model, but they won't offer as much bang for your buck in your budget. A second-hand luxury SUV under Rs 20 lakh is tempting, but upkeep and repair costs can be high. Only consider it with a full service history and a strong warranty. Overall, for your city-heavy use and budget, the Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT lines up best.

Renault Duster

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Aakash

•2d

Hello Experts! I have been driving a Honda Brio (manual petrol) for the past 5 years. We are a family of four (occasionally five), and I’m now looking to upgrade. While the Brio has served us well, I often face challenges with its low ground clearance, weak AC performance in hilly areas, and the absence of rear AC vents. My usage is primarily daily office commuting (around 20 km) along with weekend trips ( around 300km). Most of these trips are to hilly regions and the Konkan belt, where bad roads and large speed breakers are common. I’m planning to buy an SUV in Pune with a budget of around ₹12 lakh (slightly stretchable). My key requirements are: strong safety, good rear seat comfort, decent mileage, low maintenance cost, and a good infotainment system. I was initially interested in the Tata Sierra base model, but was disappointed to learn it doesn’t even come with a sound system. The Kia Seltos also looks appealing, but I’m open to exploring other options as well. I’m not in a hurry and can wait for about a year. I’m also open to considering pre-owned SUVs. Please advise. I would also like to know if buying an automatic would make more sense.

Autocar India

•1d

Given your 20 km daily city run and frequent hill-and-Konkan trips with four on board, a mid variant of the Tata Nexon petrol manual, something like the Creative, fits your brief best. It rides over broken roads and big speed breakers without fuss, has rear AC vents that your Brio missed, and it is one of the safest small SUVs on sale with a strong body. The AC is strong, the steering is light in the city, and the cabin and touchscreen feel modern enough for long drives with the family.A few trade-offs to note for you are that Tata service quality can vary by dealer in Pune, so pick a well-rated one. Interior storage and ergonomics are not the best either, and quality isn't as good as some rivals.If you want lower running costs and an easy ownership experience, the Hyundai Venue HX5 1.0 DCT also works well for your use. It rides comfortably on bad roads, has a strong AC, good rear seat space, and Hyundai's service is widespread, and it has a 5-star crash test rating from Bharat NCAP.On automatics: yes, we would recommend it, given that most of your driving is a daily office commute. Just bear in mind that in your budget, the Nexon gets a clunky AMT, and you would have to stretch to a higher variant to get the DCT. The Venue DCT fits in your budget, though.If you want a smoother automatic, you could go for a more premium pre-owned car. A 2-3 year old Seltos/Creta petrol automatic would suit your hills-and-city mix well.

Tata Nexon

Hyundai Venue

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