Renault Duster vs Volkswagen Virtus

Autocar India
Renault Duster

Renault Duster

Iconic 1.3 Turbo Petrol DCT

18.49 lakh

Volkswagen Virtus

Volkswagen Virtus

GT Plus Sport AT

19.20 lakh

Engine & Transmission

Max Engine Power

163 hp at 5250 rpm
150hp at 5000-6000 rpm

Max Engine Torque

280 Nm at 2000 - 3500 rpm
250Nm at 1600-3500 rpm

Number of Cylinders

4
4

Fuel Type/ Propulsion

Petrol
Petrol

Engine Type

Turbocharged
Turbocharged

Engine Installation

Front
Front

Engine Displacement

1333 cc
1498 cc

Gearbox Type

DCT
DCT

Number of Gears

6
7

Paddle Shifters for Automatic Gearbox

Drive Layout

Front Wheel Drive
Front Wheel Drive

Pure Electric Driving Mode

–

Lockable Differential/s

–

Sport Mode for Automatic Gearbox

–

Manual Shifts via Gear Lever on Automatic Gearbox

–

Fuel & Performance

Official Fuel Economy

18.45 kmpl
19.62 kmpl

Fuel Supply System

Direct Injection
Direct Injection

Fuel Tank Capacity

50 litres
45 litres

E20 Compatibility

Autocar Tested Mileage

9.97 kmpl
–

Autocar Tested City Mileage

6.47 kmpl
–

Autocar Tested Highway Mileage

13.47 kmpl
–

40-100kph (in fourth gear/ kickdown)

7.6 s
6.3 s

20-80kph (in third gear/ kickdown)

6.07 s
5.95 s

0-100kph

11.33 s
9.68 s

Highway Fuel Economy as Tested

–
15.6 kmpl

City Fuel Economy as Tested

–
9.3 kmpl

Emission Standard

–
Bharat Stage VI

Auto Start/Stop

–

User Reported Mileage

–
17.63 kmpl

Suspension & Steering

Rear Brakes

Disc
Drums

Front Brakes

Disc
Discs

Steering Adjust

Tilt and Telescopic
Tilt and Telescopic

Type of Power Assist

Electric
Electric

Front Suspension Type

MacPherson strut with lower transverse link
Independent, MacPherson Strut

Rear Springs

Coil Springs
Coil Springs

Rear Suspension Type

Semi-independent, torsion beam
Non-independent, Torsion Beam

Ride Height Adjust

Front Springs

Coil Springs
Coil Springs

Front Tyre Size

225/55 R18
205/55 R16

Rear Tyre Size

225/55 R18
205/55 R16

Wheel Size

18 inches
16 inches

Wheels

Alloys
Alloys

4 Wheel Steer

–

Steering Adjust type

–
Manual

Turning Radius

–
5.05 m

Damper Control

–

Spare Wheel

–
Full Size

Dimensions

Ground Clearance

212 mm
179 mm

Width

1815 mm
1752 mm

Wheelbase

2657 mm
2651 mm

Length

4343 mm
4561 mm

Height

1659 mm
1507 mm

Doors

5
4

Boot Capacity

518 litres
521-1050 litres

Chassis Type

Monocoque
Monocoque

Kerb Weight

–
1260 kg

Comfort

Power Windows

Front and Rear
Front and Rear

Remote Locking

Climate Control

2-zone
1-zone

Cooled Storage

Rear Parcel Tray

–

Cruise Control

Cup Holders

Rear AC Vents

Push Button Start

Acoustic Windshield

–

Driver Armrest Storage

Driving Modes

Electric Tailgate Release

Exterior Mirrors Electric Adjust

Keyless Entry

Yes with proximity sensors

Interior Lamps

Hands-free Boot Opening

Vanity Mirror

Yes with Light
Front Passenger Only

Steering Mounted Controls

Audio Only
Audio and Phone

Ambient Lighting

Sunroof

Panoramic
Single Pane

Trunk Light

–

12 Volt Port

–

Cabin Boot Access

–

Door Pockets

–

Digital Instrument Cluster

–
Fully Digital

Bottle Holder in Doors

–

Bluetooth Connectivity

–

Rear Reading Lamp

–

Roof Grab Handles

–

Powered Tailgate

–

Power Windows with One Touch-Down

–
Driver Window Only

Front Seatback Pockets

–

Glove Box

–

Headlight and Ignition on Reminder

–

Sunglass Holder

–

Cooled Glovebox

–

Power Windows with One Touch-Up

–
Driver Window Only

Exterior Mirrors Electric Fold

–
Yes with power folding

Third Row AC Vents

–

Front Passenger Seat Adjust from Rear

–

Rear Window Sun Shades

–

Rear Windscreen Sun Shade

–

Rear Power Outlet

–

Auto Parking

–

Launch Control

–

Dead Pedal

–

Safety

Auto emergency braking (AEB)

–

High Beam Assist

Child Safety Lock

Central Locking

Side Airbag

Speed-Sensing Auto Door Locks

Automatic Wipers

Automatic Headlamps

Rear Washer/Wiper

Anti Theft Alarm

–

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)

Traction Control

Traffic Sign Recognition

–

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

With Display

Airbags

6
6

Adaptive Cruise Control

Driver Attention Warning

–

Hill Start Assist

Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock

–

ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts

Lane Keep Assist

–

Electronic Parking Brake

Yes with Autohold

Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)

Dual Tone Horn

–

BNCAP Rating

5
–

Overspeed Warning

Parking Camera

360 degree
Rear

Parking Sensors

Front, Side and Rear
Rear

Passenger Airbag

Driver Airbag

Pretensioners & Force Limiter Seatbelts

–

Day Night Interior Mirror

Automatic
Automatic

Curtain Airbag

Rear Defogger

Crash Test Rating

–
5

Door Ajar Warning

–

Lane Departure Avoidance

–

Dashcam

–

Speed Sensing Door Lock

–

Rear Seatbelt Reminder

–

Seat Belt Warning

–

Heads Up Display

–

Emergency Brake Light Flashing

–

Front Collision Avoidance

–

Brake Assist (BA)

–

Electronic Stability Control

–

Hill Descent Control

–

Day/Night Interior Mirror

–
Auto

Blind Spot Monitor

–

NCAP Rating

–
5

Exterior

Headlight Type

LED
LED

Roof Rails

Functional
–

Wheel Arch Cladding

–

Front Fog Lamps

Follow Me Home Headlamps

LED DRLs

LED fog lamps

LED headlamps

LED taillights

ORVM turn indicators

Antenna

Shark Fin
Shark Fin

Puddle Lamps

–

Daytime Running Lights

LED
LED

Stop Lamp

–

Spoiler

–

Body Coloured Bumpers

–

Cornering Headlights

–

Scuff Plates

–

Projector Headlamps

–

Headlight Height Adjuster

–

Interior

Speedometer

Digital

Electric Adjust for Driver's Seat

Electric Adjust for Front Passenger's Seat

Seat Material

Leatherette
Leatherette

Seat Count

5
5

Front Seat Armrest

Yes with Storage
Yes with Storage

Adjustable Rear Headrests

Ventilated Seats

Front Only
Front Only

Adjustable Front Headrests

Rear Seat Backrest Fold

Tachometer

–
Digital

Trip Meter

–

Average Fuel Consumption

–

Average Speed

–

Distance to Empty

–

Low Fuel Level Warning

–

Instantaneous Consumption

–

Gear Indicator

–

Shift Indicator

–

Head-up Display

–

Second Row Seat Adjustment

–

Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel

–

Leather-wrapped Gear Knob

–

Driver's Seat Height Adjust

–

Driver's Seat Memory

–

Front Passenger Seat Height Adjust

–

Front Passenger Seat Memory

–

Heated Seats

–

Massage Seats

–

Rear Seat Armrest

–
Yes with Holders

Individual Chairs at Rear

–

Rear Seat Backrest Recline

–

Rear Seat Backrest Split

–
60:40

Third Row Seats

–

Entertainment

USB Input

Steering Phone Controls

Steering Audio Controls

Speakers

6
8

Wireless Phone Charging

Second Row USB port

2 Type C
–

Front USB port

2 Type C
–

Android Auto

Wireless
Wireless

Display

10.1-inch Touchscreen
10-inch Touchscreen

Bluetooth Telephone Function

Bluetooth Audio Streaming

Apple CarPlay

Wireless
Wireless

Audio System

–

CD Player

–

Branded Music System

–

AUX Input

–

MirrorLink

–

Web Browser

–

Video Player

–

Satellite Navigation

–

Voice Commands

–

Gesture Controls

–

Touchpad

–

Rear Entertainment Screens

–

Connected Car Features

Navigation On Instrument Cluster

–

Alexa Compatibility

–

Over the air (OTA) updates

–

Find My Car

–

Emergency Call Button

–

Remote Sunroof Open / Close via App

–

Remote AC On / Off via App

–

Remote Car Lock/Unlock via App

–

Car Light Flashing & Honking via App

–

Check Vehicle Status via App

–

SOS Button

–

Questions you may find useful

•3d

I am looking to upgrade from my current car, a Hyundai Aura 1.2 Petrol, as I find it a little boring to drive. I drive around 8,000 to 10,000 km a year, out of which 1,500 to 2,000 km are road trips. My budget is under Rs 25 lakh. I have shortlisted the Volkswagen Virtus, Honda Elevate, and the Renault Duster. I wanted to know whether I should buy a car now or wait for the E20 fuel-related issues to settle. Also considering the facelifts for the Elevate and Virtus are expected soon, so I am wondering if it would be better to wait for those. One more question is should I buy one of these brand-new cars, or would it be wiser to consider a pre-owned car from a higher segment within the same budget? Thank you!

Verified
•24m

Go for the Volkswagen Virtus GT with the 1.5 TSI engine and DSG gearbox. Since you are upgrading from a Hyundai Aura 1.2 Petrol and find it boring to drive, it's clear that driving experience matters to you. Among your shortlisted cars, the Virtus is the most engaging to drive, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a genuinely enjoyable chassis.It would also be worth waiting a few months for the facelift. It is expected to bring more features, sharper look and an improved air-conditioning system.The Renault Duster is quite engaging too, while offering the practicality and ground clearance of an SUV. However, it is not spacious for its size and nor is it very fuel efficient. The Honda Elevate is the most sensible long-term ownership choice, but it is not as exciting to drive as the Virtus and is due to receive a facelift soon.As for E20 fuel, do not wait. All three cars are E20 compliant, and there is no confirmed official roadmap beyond E20 at the moment. Modern engines are designed to run on E20 fuel, and the impact is limited to lower fuel efficiency, regardless of the model.Regarding a new versus pre-owned car, your budget is sufficient to buy a top-spec Virtus or a well-equipped Duster. There is little reason to compromise on a used car. Moreover, there are not too many engaging options in the segment above that make a compelling used-car buy within your budget. Buying new gives you the full warranty, and an ownership experience that is likely to be more satisfying in the long run.

VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleRenault Duster
VehicleHonda Elevate
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