Renault cars in India (7)

You're right, it's difficult to find a car at this price that's suitable for a tall driver. Try the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, which does offer a bit more space than its counterpart, the Maruti Suzuki Swift. Moreover, it uses the older 1.2-litre four-cylinder K12 petrol engine, which is smoother than the three-cylinder Z12 engine in the Swift. 

You could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, in which you can get the option of a punchier 1.0 turbo-petrol engine, although space remains the same as the Baleno. Finally, also consider the Nissan Magnite or Renault Kiger, which could offer a bit more space, and if you don't mind a sedan, there's also the Honda Amaze, which is known for its interior packaging efficiency.

Without knowing any further requirements, or your budget, it's hard to make a definitive recommendation. However, all things considered, the Renault Duster 1.3 turbo petrol MT is the better overall package than the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI MT. For one, just the power alone is considerably higher in the Duster 1.3, and in fact, it's more than even the Kushaq's larger 1.5 TSI has on offer. Thereafter, the two SUVs are closely matched - both have excellent handling, both offer good space and comfort in the front seat, though it's only average in the rear seat, and both are now well equipped. 

However, the Duster edges ahead in two areas - the first being boot space, which is a massive 518 litres, compared to about 385 in the Skoda. And the other is ride comfort - while the Kushaq is good, the Duster is even better, delivering a ride that is comfortable, stable and solid feeling, all at once. Thus, overall, the Duster 1.3 Turbo is the better choice.

Choose the Renault Duster 1.3 Techno MT if you specifically want a tough, manual SUV and like driving.

The new Duster’s suspension is one of its big strengths: it rides beautifully over broken roads, has 212 mm of ground clearance, and feels robust, which really suits Indian conditions and frequent highway use. It has a very large boot and is well-equipped for the price, making it a solid family and touring car.

The 1.3 turbo-petrol is among the most powerful engines in the segment, so performance is strong once the turbo is on boost. However, in the manual, you will feel some turbo lag at low revs, and you do need to downshift to keep it in the meat of the powerband, especially in slow city traffic or on inclines. The gearbox itself is light, with positive shifts, and the clutch effort is friendly enough for daily use.

Consider going for the new Renault Duster 1.3 turbo petrol. The new Duster's 1.3-litre, four-cylinder engine puts out a punchy 160hp/280Nm, and it can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Renault claims a mileage of 17.75kpl for the manual and 18.45kpl for the DCT auto, but expect real-world figures to be around 8-14kpl for both versions, depending on the traffic and your driving style. 

The India-spec Duster is 50mm taller than the overseas one to account for the panoramic sunroof, and as such, you shouldn't have any problem with your 6ft 2inch frame. The Duster also gets a segment-best 518 litre boot, and that, coupled with its composed ride quality make it a great road trip companion.

We would suggest going for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel manual. The biggest reason is that it feels like a proper upgrade in every sense. It is a larger, more spacious car, with a more premium cabin and a very comfortable ride, which you have already experienced in your test drive.

More importantly, the diesel engine suits what you are used to with your Verna. It offers strong low-end torque and relaxed cruising, which makes it feel effortless on highways and more satisfying to drive over long distances. Over a long ownership period, diesel also tends to be more efficient for regular highway use.

The Renault Duster 1.3 turbo petrol, on the other hand, is a good driver’s car. It will feel lighter and easier to drive, especially in tighter city conditions. However, while the turbo petrol is enjoyable, it won’t give you the same sense of punch as the Mahindra larger 2 litre diesel, or the same space and long-distance comfort as the XUV 7XO.

We would still urge you to test drive the new Duster before taking a final call, but as an overall upgrade, the XUV 7XO is the stronger choice.