I have been using a Renault Duster Diesel 2014 model RXL(O) 85 PS since 2015. I sold my car recently, and I regret. I travel 8-9k per year. I am confused about which car to choose now; my budget is 18-21 lakhs. Looking for the MG Hector or the new Renault Duster, but the fuel option is one thing I am still in a dilemma about, as I personally do not like petrol engines and automatic transmissions. Whether to go for a hybrid or EV, or a large vehicle with a 2L diesel engine.

autocar.india

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If you can charge at home, the MG Windsor EV would be our first choice under your budget. This MG car offers a spacious cabin, excellent ride comfort, and feels like a car from the segment above, making it one of the best value-for-money EVs currently on sale. If home charging isn't practical, we'd recommend a strong hybrid car instead. At this budget, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Strong Hybrid would be our pick. It shares its mechanicals with the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid but offers better value and a more premium cabin. It delivers excellent fuel efficiency without requiring any charging and is easy to live with over the long term.

MG Windsor

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

autocar.india

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Thank you for reading Autocar India and for your question. Your Magnite CVT is E20 compatible, so there is no need to worry about the engine. The drop in mileage you are seeing is normal. E20 petrol has a lower energy content than E10, so fuel efficiency drops by around 5-10%. This is expected and not a sign of a problem with the car.For your new car, your usage is mostly highway and you want good mileage with an automatic within Rs. 17 lakh on-road budget. The best fit is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris mild hybrid automatic. It is a petrol mild hybrid, so it delivers better highway efficiency than a standard petrol, and the automatic is a smooth torque converter unit that is reliable and well suited to long-term ownership. The Victoris is also a comfortable and spacious SUV with a proven ownership record.If you want a more premium feel and a slightly more engaging driving experience, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is a good alternative. It has a new 8-speed gearbox and the car feels more solid and planted on the highway. However, the Victoris will be the more efficient and easier car to own long term.If you are open to diesel, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel automatic is worth considering. It will deliver the best highway efficiency and strong performance, but diesel makes sense only if your annual running is high enough to justify the higher fuel and maintenance costs.Overall, the Victoris mild hybrid automatic is the best fit for your requirements. It delivers good mileage, a smooth automatic and a hassle-free ownership experience.

Nissan Magnite

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kushaq

autocar.india

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Go for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid G Optional. With a Rs 3 lakh discount on ex-showroom, this Toyota car becomes a far more compelling proposition and is the better fit for your usage. Your driving is mostly city with only occasional highway trips, and that is exactly where the Hyryder Hybrid excels. The strong hybrid system allows the car to run on electric power at low speeds, which significantly improves fuel efficiency in stop-and-go traffic and makes the driving experience smoother and quieter. Toyota’s reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs also makes it a sensible long-term ownership choice.The Renault Duster Adventure 1.3 DCT is a very appealing car in its own right, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. However, this Renault car is more of an enthusiast’s car, and its strengths are best appreciated on highways and twisty roads rather than in daily city traffic. The DCT gearbox is also not as well suited to heavy stop-and-go conditions as the Hyryder’s hybrid system.The only caveat with the Hyryder Hybrid is that it is not a particularly quick car and the engine can get a bit noisy when pushed hard. But for your usage pattern, the efficiency, refinement and ownership experience far outweigh that drawback.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Renault Duster