Renault cars in India (7)

Autocar India

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The new Duster DCT Evolution is actually a strong city plus highway package, and the fact that it uses a wet clutch DCT is a key advantage. Unlike dry clutch DCTs, wet clutch systems run the clutches in oil for cooling, which makes them smoother at crawling speeds, better at handling heat and generally more tolerant of heavy stop go traffic. So if your concern is city usability, this is far less worrying than older dry clutch DCTs.That said, it still will not be as seamless at very low speeds as a good torque converter or CVT. On the highway, though, the Duster should feel right at home because the turbo petrol and DCT combination suits open road driving very well, and the Duster has the ingredients to be an engaging driver’s SUV.Long term, the bigger question mark is not the wet clutch gearbox itself, but the fact that this is a brand new product with no long term Indian ownership data yet. Wet clutch DCTs are generally more robust than dry clutch units, but they are still mechanically complex systems, so if something does go wrong out of warranty, repairs will not be cheap. Renault’s service reach and ownership ecosystem also are not as confidence inspiring as some established rivals.If you want a more proven alternative in the same budget, the Kia Seltos HTK IVT is worth serious consideration. It falls in a similar price bracket, uses a naturally aspirated petrol with an IVT automatic that is far smoother in city traffic, and offers a much more proven long term ownership proposition. You will give up some outright performance and driver engagement compared to the Duster turbo DCT, but if reliability and fuss free city use matter more, the Seltos is the safer pick.

Renault Duster

Autocar India

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The Renault Duster certainly rides and handles better, and has a bigger boot too. However, its rear seat space is tight compared to a Tata Sierra, which is much more spacious in comparison. And besides a roomier cabin, the Sierra's seats (front and rear) are comfier, its cabin feels more inviting than the Duster's, and the turbo-petrol is a strong performer too.Overall, as a family car, the Sierra fits the brief better. Yes, it doesn't have a good reputation as far as reliability and after-sales service go, so we'd recommend you opt for the longest warranty coverage on the car.

Renault Duster

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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Your mostly city use with a Rs. 13-14 lakh cap points you to the Renault Kiger Turbo CVT RXZ. The CVT automatic is smooth enough for city traffic, and the car is small and easy to park. It will also handle your once-or-twice-a-month highway runs without stress, cruising steadily and feeling easy to place on the road. The Kiger will also likely land a little cheaper too, leaving room for insurance and add-ons inside your budget.Two things to note on the Kiger: the back seat is fine for two but feels tight for three adults, and the cabin feels basic in places. If your family often uses the rear seat, this matters.If you care more about punch on the highway and a roomier back seat, the Mahindra XUV 3XO Turbo AX5 makes sense. It feels stronger when you want quick overtakes and rides well over broken roads. Just check if the AX5 with an automatic transmission fits your budget in your city; if not, the manual will be heavier to live with in traffic.For your mostly city use, the Kiger Turbo CVT RXZ fits best.

Renault Kiger

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

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If you want the more rugged and driver focused SUV, pick the Renault Duster. It is likely to feel more engaging from behind the wheel, with a smoother dual clutch automatic and a tougher, more no nonsense character that should appeal if driving feel matters to you.The Tata Sierra, on the other hand, is the better choice if your priorities are comfort, premium cabin feel and family use. It feels more modern, more desirable and likely to offer a richer overall cabin experience, with a comfortable ride and strong road presence.The real difference comes down to character. The Duster feels like the more rugged, enthusiast friendly choice, while the Sierra is the more polished and premium family SUV.

Renault Duster

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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The Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo-petrol with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) is the one that fits your brief best. The DCT changes gears very quickly once you are moving, so city drives feel easy and highway trips feel strong and smooth. The Seltos also rides well for daily use, the seats are supportive, and the cabin looks and feels upmarket. For safety and build, it gives you a solid-feeling body, a long list of safety features, and on higher trims even driver assist tech; plus it received a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating.A couple of things to note for your use: like most dual-clutch gearboxes, there can be a small pause at very low speeds, and if you spend hours in slow traffic every day it is best to drive gently. From your list, the Mahindra Thar Roxx 2.0 petrol automatic is the one to pick if you mainly want a tough, go-anywhere machine and love the stance, but for daily comfort and ease it is not as relaxed as the Seltos, and it has very poor fuel economy. The suspension isn't as absorbent and the controls aren't as light. The Duster and Sierra come much closer, the Renault imparting a tougher feel while still remaining comfortable, and the Sierra feeling large and more comfortable. However, overall, for mixed city-highway use and your priorities, the Seltos turbo DCT lines up best.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Renault Duster

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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For your requirements, we recommend the Nissan Magnite 1.0 petrol Tekna - and while it is available with a manual gearbox, we recommend trying the AMT, which will make life easier in traffic. The Magnite feels easy to place, the seat is set a bit higher so you see the road well, and the cabin has enough room for four adults without feeling tight. It also did well in crash tests - scoring a 5-star Global NCAP rating - which should give you peace of mind, and the 1.0 naturally aspirated petrol engine is light on fuel in daily use, so running costs stay low.A couple of things to know. An AMT can feel a little slow and give a slight jerk at very low speeds, especially when you stop and go often. Also, if you often drive on highways with full luggage, the engine will feel just okay rather than strong. Nissan’s service network is not as wide as Maruti or Hyundai in smaller towns, so make sure that there is a workshop close to where you live.Other options include the smaller Tata Punch, which feels tough but is not as efficient, the Renault Triber which gives even more space but at the cost of some features and that tough SUV-like look, and the Hyundai Exter, which is smooth but not as spacious.

Nissan Magnite

Tata Punch

Renault Triber

Hyundai Exter

Autocar India

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The Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo automatic (the DCT that changes gears on its own) fits you best. It lines up with what you value and what you felt in your test drives.As you mentioned, the Seltos' seat is the most comfortable; the 1.5 turbo is quick, feels strong and has that oomph that you're looking for. Also, being the newest car, its interior quality is a step up compared to the other options listed.Of course, being a taller car, its stability and handling prowess aren't as good as the Hyundai Verna 1.5 turbo DCT, which will give you a relatively sportier driving experience due to its low-set seating.We would advise you against the Mahindra BE 6, especially when you're currently residing in a rented flat with no assured socket at your parking, and even though Bengaluru has many public chargers, you can't solely rely on public charging. You could also check out the new Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo before finalising the Seltos.

Kia Seltos

Renault Duster

Autocar India

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Go for the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga if your priority is comfortably accommodating all six family members while still keeping ownership easy and stress-free within your budget. Coming from a Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, the Ertiga will feel like a major upgrade with a much more spacious cabin, comfortable ride and easy drivability in the city. While still being efficient and inexpensive to maintain over the long term. It is also comfortable enough for occasional hill drives and highway trips with the entire family, which makes it the most rounded option for your usage.If you want something smaller and easier to drive in tight city conditions, you could also consider waiting for the turbo petrol version of the Renault Triber, which is expected later this year. The Triber already offers impressive space for its size and is very practical for family use. Also, a turbo petrol engine would make it far better suited for highway and hill driving than the current naturally aspirated motor.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Renault Triber

Autocar India

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You should not read too much into Renault excluding clutch components from the Duster’s warranty, because clutch packs in DCTs are generally treated as wear and tear items by most manufacturers, including Kia. Even Kia’s warranty excludes clutch discs and facing components under normal wear and tear clauses. That does not mean the entire DCT gearbox is uncovered. Major transmission or mechatronic issues are still typically covered under standard warranty terms unless the failure is linked directly to clutch wear or misuse. Renault’s wording looks more worrying, mainly because they have explicitly listed exclusions in detail for the additional warranty package.So buy the one that suits your priorities better. The Kia Seltos feels more premium, more spacious and more feature-rich, while the Renault Duster has a more rugged character and is likely to feel more involving to drive. Although both use dual-clutch automatic transmissions, the Duster uses a wet clutch setup while the Seltos uses a dry clutch unit. In the real world, this usually means the Renault’s gearbox should feel smoother and cope better with heavy traffic and heat. On the other hand, the Kia’s DCT feels quicker and sportier during fast driving, but can feel slightly jerkier at low speeds.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

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If you're looking to replace the Honda Elevate CVT with a Renault Duster, make sure you opt for the hybrid version. The Duster's 1.3-litre turbo-petrol-DCT combination isn't likely to deliver respectable fuel efficiency, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic; hence, your fuel stops are likely to be as frequent, if not more so. A hybrid, on the other hand, will remain in EV mode while idling or at low speeds, which will significantly reduce fuel consumption. While Renault provides a puncture repair kit, a spare tyre will certainly come in hand in the event of a sidewall cut, which is a possibility on long drives and unfamiliar roads. Hence, you could purchase an extra tyre and place it in the boot, however that is likely to compromise luggage space.Alternatively, you could consider retaining your Honda Elevate. It is a very sensible, no-nonsense car. Also, keep in mind that because it isn't a popular model, resale value is likely to be on the lower side, hence you will have to add a fair bit from your pocket, to make the new purchase.

Renault Duster

Honda Elevate