Renault Duster Techno plus 1.3 Turbo Petrol DCT

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The Renault Duster 1.3 turbo DCT is a good car, with its biggest strength being its ride quality and handling. It feels planted on bad roads, absorbs bumps well and is genuinely enjoyable to drive. The 1.3 turbo petrol is punchy, and the DCT is quick, which makes it fun on open roads. But for your running of 800-900 km a month, mainly in the city, the 1.3 turbo-DCT isn't going to be very efficient.In comparison, the Hyundai Creta is more suited to your needs. Its interior feels airier and brighter, and overall it is a proven product with a stronger ownership track record. Sure, the Duster is the better driver’s car and feels more robust on rough roads, but the Creta will be more fuel efficient and is a better urban SUV, especially in its 1.5 Petrol IVT avatar, which is smooth and very seamless. A new Creta is expected to be launched early next year, so if you can wait, that could be worth getting.

Renault Duster

Hyundai Creta

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The Maruti Suzuki Brezza Turbo ZXi is a sensible upgrade from a 2015 Duster 85 PS diesel, but it will feel different rather than outright better in the areas you care about. The Brezza Turbo’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine produces 110hp and 170Nm, with a very linear power delivery; not the same low-end diesel punch you are used to. Hence, on steep hill climbs, you will need to work the engine and gearbox a bit more, whereas the Duster’s diesel torque made those climbs feel effortless.In terms of driving dynamics, the Brezza is a well-balanced car with predictable handling and a comfortable ride, although the Duster has an edge as far as ruggedness and off-road ability goes. That said, the Brezza is more refined and easier to live with in daily use.Where the Brezza Turbo ZXi is a clear upgrade is in safety, features and overall ownership experience. It is a far more modern car with better safety equipment, a more comfortable cabin and Maruti’s strong service network. It is also a genuinely good car to drive, just with a different character.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Renault Duster

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Given your annual running of 8-9,000 km, a diesel no longer makes financial sense. The payback period is simply too long at this usage level, and modern petrol engines are far more refined and efficient than they were a decade ago. The new Renault Duster petrol is a strong option if you loved your old Duster. It retains the same rugged character and excellent ride quality, and the 1.3 turbo petrol is punchy and enjoyable to drive. Currently, the Duster is offered with two turbo-petrol engines: a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit from the Kiger and a 1.3-litre 4-cylinder direct-injection turbo-petrol engine. The Renault Duster mileage ranges from 17.75kpl to 19.41kpl. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol manual returns 19.41kpl, while the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol delivers 17.75kpl to 18.45kpl, depending on the transmission.The MG Hector price starts at 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), and it is a spacious SUV with a roomy cabin, but this MG car isn't as rewarding to drive as the new Renault Duster. If you are open to hybrid cars, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is worth considering. It offers excellent fuel efficiency and a very smooth driving experience, especially in city traffic. However, it does not have the same rugged SUV feel as the Duster.The key is to move past the old diesel mindset. Modern turbo petrol engines are genuinely enjoyable to drive, and the new Duster is the closest you will get to the car you loved, just with a more sensible fuel choice for your usage.

Renault Duster

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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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 Renault Duster mileage is claimed at 19.41kpl for the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol manual, while the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol delivers 17.75kpl to 18.45kpl, depending on the transmission.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 of hybrid cars far outweigh that drawback.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Renault Duster

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The Renault Duster is larger and has a class-best 518-litre boot. Also, its ride-handling balance is among the best in its segment, which makes it ideal for long drives. Yes, the 1.3 Turbo-petrol with the 6-speed dual-clutch transmission will be a bit pricier than the Mahindra car, but if you enjoy driving, it is certainly worth the stretch. Over the XUV 3XO, you also get ventilated front seats and paddle shifters, among other things. Currently, the Duster is offered with two turbo-petrol engines: a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit from the Kiger and a 1.3-litre 4-cylinder direct-injection turbo-petrol engine. The Renault Duster mileage ranges from 17.75kpl to 19.41kpl. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol manual returns 19.41kpl, while the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol delivers 17.75kpl to 18.45kpl, depending on the transmission.You could also consider the new Nissan Tekton, which is a badge-engineered version of the Duster, with a brighter interior (in top-spec variants).

Renault Duster

Nissan Tekton

Mahindra XUV 3XO