Hyundai Creta vs Renault Duster comparison

There are no two ways about it. If there’s one model the new Hyundai Creta has to better it’s the huge-selling Renault Duster. And it’s for no other reason but just how similar these SUVs are. Both use monocoque construction, can seat five and are roughly 4.3 metres in length. A brochure-to-brochure comparison will also reveal that each can be had with petrol and diesel engine options and that both are available in the Rs 8.5-13.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) price band. Sure, the Hyundai Creta comes with the option of an automatic gearbox and the Renault Duster can be had in all-wheel drive form but for this comparison, we’ve taken the most closely matched forms of both. That is the front-wheel drive and manual gearbox versions of the Creta 1.6 diesel and Duster 110PS 1.5 diesel. Let the scoring begin.

Design and styling

We won’t go too deep into the subjective aspect of looks but a few things are worth mentioning. While the Duster is marginally longer, taller and wider than the Creta, it’s the Hyundai that has the more upright stance. The Duster looks more of a crossover but it’s not lacking in appeal. Design elements like the bulging wheel arches, in particular, give the Renault great presence.

Cabin

Simply put, the Hyundai Creta’s cabin is better turned out than the Duster’s. The dash looks smart and there are many other interesting design elements elsewhere too; the sculpted door pads, for instance, look great. Drivers will also like the rich-looking steering wheel and how clear and easy to read the instruments are. Fit and finish throughout the cabin is of a high standard as well.

Renault has spruced up the Duster’s cabin over the past year with new instrument's binnacle, soft plastics for the dash top and a new three-spoke steering wheel. But it still doesn’t look as special as the Creta’s. The dashboard looks quite plain and bits like the large knobs for the air-con control system seem very old-school. There are some ergonomic anomalies in the Duster’s cabin as well. The electric mirror adjust control is located under the handbrake while the secondary audio controls are positioned on the steering stalk (and hence out of view) rather than on the steering itself.