Unfortunately, we will not know the price of the new Renault Duster for at least 6 to 8 weeks. Worse still, Renault has chosen not to offer an automatic gearbox option with the smaller, less powerful 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, even though the same engine is offered with a CVT in the smaller Renault Kiger.However, Renault has been known to undercut rivals in each of the segments it operates in, and there may be a chance that the new Duster with the 1.3-litre turbo petrol and DCT auto could fit in your budget of Rs 12 lakh.If not, you could consider other compact SUVs, such as the Maruti Suzuki Brezza or the Tata Nexon, which are similarly tough SUVs that will get you an automatic at your budget, albeit in a slightly smaller size.

It really depends on what you prefer: a car from a higher segment that is nicer to drive but has fewer features, or a car from a lower segment that offers far more premium features.For daily commutes, the Hyundai i20 IVT (CVT) works beautifully. It is silky smooth, and the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine has enough poke for quick overtakes at lower speeds. Combined with its compact dimensions, it is very easy to drive, which is a big plus for a first-time buyer. It is only on the highway where it can feel a bit underpowered, and this is where the 1.0-litre turbo DCT in the Venue has a clear advantage.The new Venue is spacious enough for a family of four. The 1.0-litre turbo engine with the DCT is smooth in the city, but what makes it more versatile is the fact that it feels far more effortless on open roads compared to the i20 IVT. It is also easy to drive, with good all-around visibility. That said, the most affordable Venue variant with the DCT is the HX5, which is still over ₹12 lakh on road and only offers basic features. With the i20, however, you can get the top Asta (O) variant, which comes loaded with premium features, including a Bose audio system.So, the final choice really comes down to what you value more: driving ease and premium features, or an SUV that offers greater comfort and better highway performance.

There is no real benefit in using high-octane fuel now that E20 petrol has been introduced from April 2025. Ethanol increases octane rating, and with the shift from E10 to E20, the effective octane rating has increased from 91 to 95 across the country.The 2.0 litre TGDI mStallion engine in your XUV700, or the XUV 7XO as it is called post the facelift, has a compression ratio of 9.5:1, which is perfectly suited to 95 octane fuel. Using anything higher offers no tangible advantage and would simply be unnecessary overkill.

Between the Maruti Victoris and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, the choice also comes down to brand preference, as underneath both cars are almost identical, sharing a similar powertrain, chassis and fuel efficiency.That said, as a product, the Victoris feels newer. It has better quality interiors, offers more safety and convenience features, and has also secured a 5-star BNCAP rating. With both cars being similarly priced, the Victoris comes across as a better value overall.If you are willing to wait until Diwali this year, we would also suggest keeping an eye on the new Renault Duster Hybrid. Its hybrid system works differently from the Toyota Maruti setup and is expected to feel more natural to drive, with stronger performance as well.As for the Honda Elevate, we do not expect a hybrid version to be launched. Honda is likely to focus more on its EV plans for India instead.