Volkswagen Taigun vs Renault Duster

Autocar India
Volkswagen Taigun

Volkswagen Taigun

GT Plus Sport 1.5 TSI DCT

19.47 lakh

Renault Duster

Renault Duster

Hybrid Emotion 1.8 Petrol AT

19.49 lakh

Engine & Transmission

Engine Displacement

1498 cc
1789 cc

Number of Cylinders

4
4

Engine Installation

Front
Front

Fuel Type/ Propulsion

Petrol
Petrol-Electric Hybrid

Gearbox Type

DCT
AT

Number of Gears

7
6

Paddle Shifters for Automatic Gearbox

Drive Layout

Front Wheel Drive
Front Wheel Drive

Lockable Differential/s

Max Engine Power

150 hp at 5000 - 6000 rpm
110hp at 5300-5800 rpm

Max Engine Torque

250 Nm at 1600 - 3500 rpm
175Nm at 3000 rpm

Engine Type

–
Strong Hybrid

Number of Motors

–
2

Pure Electric Driving Mode

–

Manual Shifts via Gear Lever on Automatic Gearbox

–

Sport Mode for Automatic Gearbox

–

Combined Max Power

–
160hp

Max Motor Power

–
50hp at 5000-7000

Max Motor Torque

–
208Nm

Fuel & Performance

User Reported Mileage

13 kmpl
–

Fuel Supply System

Direct Injection
MPFI

Emission Standard

Bharat Stage VI
Bharat Stage VI

Official Fuel Economy

18.85 kmpl
None kmpl

E20 Compatibility

–

Terrain Modes

–

Auto Start/Stop

–

Battery Capacity

–
1.4

Fuel Tank Capacity

–
50 litres

Suspension & Steering

Front Suspension Type

McPherson suspension and stabiliser bar
MacPherson strut

Front Springs

Coil Springs
Coil Springs

Rear Suspension Type

Twist beam axle
Twist Beam Suspension

Rear Springs

Coil Springs
Coil Springs

Type of Power Assist

Electric
Electric

Turning Radius

5.05
–

Front Brakes

Disc
Disc

Rear Brakes

Disc
Disc

Wheel Size

17 inches
18 inches

Front Tyre Size

205/55 R17
225/55 R18

Rear Tyre Size

205/55 R17
225/55 R18

Wheels

Alloys
Machine finished alloys

Damper Control

–

Ride Height Adjust

–

Steering Adjust type

–
Manual

Steering Adjust

–
Tilt and Telescopic

4 Wheel Steer

–

Spare Wheel

–

Dimensions

Length

4221 mm
4346 mm

Width

1760 mm
1815 mm

Height

1612 mm
1694 mm

Wheelbase

2651 mm
2657 mm

Kerb Weight

1320 kg
–

Chassis Type

Monocoque
Monocoque

Boot Capacity

385 - 1405 litres
372 litres

Doors

5
5

Ground Clearance

–
212 mm

Comfort

Ambient Lighting

Front Seatback Pockets

Exterior Mirrors Electric Fold

Yes with power folding

Exterior Mirrors Electric Adjust

Driver Armrest Storage

Power Windows with One Touch-Down

Driver Window Only
All

Power Windows with One Touch-Up

Driver Window Only
All

Push Button Start

Digital Instrument Cluster

Fully Digital
Fully Digital

Dead Pedal

Rear AC Vents

Rear Parcel Tray

Roof Grab Handles

Cooled Glovebox

Climate Control

1-zone
2-zone

Vanity Mirror

Yes with Light

UV Cut Glass

–

Trunk Light

Sunroof

Panoramic
Panoramic

Steering Mounted Controls

Audio and Phone
Audio and Phone

Bluetooth Connectivity

Bottle Holder in Doors

Remote Locking

–

Rear Windscreen Sun Shade

–

Rear Power Outlet

–

Driving Modes

–

Launch Control

–

Hands-free Boot Opening

–

Power Windows

–
Front and Rear

Keyless Entry

–

Rear Window Sun Shades

–

Front Passenger Seat Adjust from Rear

–

Cruise Control

–

Auto Parking

–

Powered Tailgate

–

Acoustic Windshield

–

Headlight and Ignition on Reminder

–

Cabin Boot Access

–

Foldable Seatback Table

–

Accessory Power Outlet

–

Rear Reading Lamp

–
LED

Voice Assisted Sunroof

–

Glove Box

–

Interior Lamps

–

Heated ORVM

–

Comfort Headrest

–

Door Pockets

–

Cup Holders

–

Utility Recess On Dashboard

–

Sunglass Holder

–

Powered Backseat Recline Adjustment

–

Cooled Storage

–

Electric Tailgate Release

–

Flat Bottom Steering Wheel

–

Cooled Cup Holders

–

12 Volt Port

–

12 Volt Port Boot

–

Safety

BNCAP Rating

5
–

Curtain Airbag

Central Locking

Seat Belt Warning

Brake Disc Wiping

Side Airbag

Brake Assist (BA)

Automatic Wipers

Automatic Headlamps

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

Warning Only
With Display

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)

Airbags

6
6

Parking Sensors

Front & Rear
Rear

Hill Start Assist

Electronic Stability Control

ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts

Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)

Overspeed Warning

Parking Camera

Rear
Rear

Passenger Airbag

Driver Airbag

Rear Defogger

Day Night Interior Mirror

Automatic
Manual

Rear Washer/Wiper

Traction Control

–

Anti-Pinch Power Windows

–
All

Hill Descent Control

–

Speed-Sensing Auto Door Locks

–

Child Safety Lock

–

Blind Spot Monitor

–

Adaptive Cruise Control

–

Electronic Parking Brake

–
Yes with Autohold

Auto emergency braking (AEB)

–

Heads Up Display

–

Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock

–

Anti Theft Alarm

–

Dual Tone Horn

–

Boot Open Warning

–

Height Adjustable Seat Belt

–

Video Recording

–

Dashcam

–

Speed Sensing Door Lock

–

Door Ajar Warning

–

Pretensioners & Force Limiter Seatbelts

–

Emergency Brake Light Flashing

–

Driver Attention Warning

–

Rear Cross Traffic Alert

–

Traffic Sign Recognition

–

Oncoming Lane Mitigation

–

Speed Assist System

–

Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist

–

Lane Keep Assist

–

Road Departure Mitigation System

–

Rear Seatbelt Reminder

–
With Load Sensor

Exterior

Sequential Turn Indicators

Scuff Plates

–

Roof Rails

Functional

ORVM turn indicators

LED taillights

LED headlamps

LED DRLs

Illuminated Logo

Rub Strips

Headlight Type

LED
LED

Welcome and Goodbye Animation

Antenna

Shark Fin
Shark Fin

Connected LED

Daytime Running Lights

LED

Door Handle Finish

Body Coloured
Body Coloured

Body Coloured Bumpers

–

Projector Headlamps

–

Front Fog Lamps

–

Integrated Washer Jets with Wiper

–

Outside rear view mirror (ORVM)

–

Spoiler

–

Cornering Headlights

–

Headlight Height Adjuster

–

Puddle Lamps

–

Cornering Foglamps

–

Stop Lamp

–

Follow Me Home Headlamps

–

Wheel Arch Cladding

–

Interior

Front Seat Armrest

Yes with Storage
Yes with Storage

Seat Material

Leatherette
Leatherette

Seat Count

5
5

Driver's Seat Height Adjust

Electric Adjust for Driver's Seat

Electric Adjust for Front Passenger's Seat

Rear Seat Armrest

Yes with Holders

Ventilated Seats

Front Only
Front Only

Rear Seat Backrest Split

60:40
60:40

Speedometer

–
Digital

Tachometer

–
Digital

Trip Meter

–

Average Fuel Consumption

–

Average Speed

–

Distance to Empty

–

Gear Indicator

–

Head-up Display

–

Low Fuel Level Warning

–

Instantaneous Consumption

–

Shift Indicator

–

Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel

–

Driver's Seat Memory

–

Front Passenger Seat Height Adjust

–

Front Passenger Seat Memory

–

Adjustable Front Headrests

–

Adjustable Rear Headrests

–

Individual Chairs at Rear

–

Rear Seat Backrest Recline

–

Rear Seat Backrest Fold

–

Third Row Seats

–

Massage Seats

–

Heated Seats

–

Second Row Seat Adjustment

–

Ottoman Seats

–

Soft Touch Dashboard

–

Soft Touch Door Trim

–

Entertainment

Voice Commands

Android Auto

Wireless
Wireless

Apple CarPlay

Wireless
Wireless

Speakers

6
6

Display

10.09-inch Touchscreen
10.1-inch Touchscreen

Audio System

–

CD Player

–

USB Input

–

AUX Input

–

Bluetooth Audio Streaming

–

Bluetooth Telephone Function

–

Steering Audio Controls

–

Steering Phone Controls

–

Wireless Phone Charging

–

MirrorLink

–

Web Browser

–

Video Player

–

Gesture Controls

–

Touchpad

–

Rear Entertainment Screens

–

Satellite Navigation

–
On-board

Front USB port

–
2 Type C

Second Row USB port

–
2 Type C

Inbuilt Music App

–

Front Passenger Screen

–

Rear Seat Infotainment Controls

–

Connected Car Features

SOS Button

Driving Analytics

Vehicle Tracking Via App

Geo Fence

Emergency Call Button

–

Find My Car

–

Anti Theft Immobilisation

–

App Details

–

Tow Away Alert

–

Auto Crash Alert

–

Live Traffic Updates On App

–

Smart Drive Information

–

Breakdown Assistance Call Button

–

Phone App

–

Find and Book Parking Slot

–

Location Based Services

–

In Car Payment

–

Check Vehicle Status via App

–

Service Reminder Via App

–

Live Location Sharing

–

Remote Car Lock/Unlock via App

–

Remote AC On / Off via App

–

Car Light Flashing & Honking via App

–

Over the air (OTA) updates

–

Alexa Compatibility

–

Home to Car Connectivity

–

Low Battery Warning

–

Navigation On Instrument Cluster

–

Google/Alexa connectivity

–

Summon Mode

–

Questions you may find useful

•3d

I am planning to buy the first car for our family, with a budget of Rs 20-25 lakh. After researching and test-driving several cars, including the Renault Duster 1.3 turbo manual, Nissan Tekton 1.3 manual and AMT, Volkswagen Taigun 1.5, Skoda Kushaq 1.5 and 1.0, Tata Sierra diesel manual and AMT, and Mahindra XUV 3XO, I have narrowed down my choices. I mostly prefer a top-end manual variant. I am now confused between the Nissan Tekton 1.3 manual, Renault Duster 1.3 manual, Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq 1.0 and 1.5. My priorities are performance, safety, rear passenger comfort and an engaging driving experience. Which car would you recommend from these options? If there are any other cars in this segment that I should consider, please let me know.

•6d

Hi, I’m planning to buy a new car, and it will be the first car in our family. I’m looking for safety, a strong and refined engine, and good comfort for rear-seat passengers, since my family members are about 5 ft 5 in tall on average. After multiple test drives, I’m confused between the Nissan Tekton 1.3 manual, the Renault Duster 1.3 manual, the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 and 1.0, and the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 and 1.0. I’m mainly looking at the top-end variants. Which one would you suggest? If none of these, which car should I consider?

•1w

I'm looking for a compact SUV that feels well-built and is enjoyable to drive. My driving is split roughly 60:40 between the city and highways in Bengaluru. I was considering the Tata Sierra and Hyundai Creta EV, but after multiple test drives, I realised the Sierra is too boxy for my taste and the Creta EV is too expensive. I hadn't seriously considered the Skoda Kushaq or Volkswagen Taigun before, but I really enjoyed driving them. They feel superbly built, do the basics of being a car very well and put a smile on your face while doing so. However, they lack auto-hold and consume a lot of petrol. I recently moved back to India, and this will be our first car. I hadn't given much thought to range until recently. I've already booked the Renault Duster hybrid without a proper test drive, but I want to test-drive the Duster 1.3-litre DCT and the Kushaq/Taigun 1.5-litre DSG versions as well. I expect to get a chance to test-drive the Duster hybrid in about a week or 10 days. What would your advice be at this stage?

•1w

Dear Autocar team, I have just returned to India and am looking to purchase a compact SUV just for the two of us for 60-40% city and highway split. I want a car that feels lovely to drive and is engineered well. I am not into "features" for the sake of it. I almost bought the Sierra/Creta EVs, then realized that I don't want to spend so much, and haven't seriously thought about highway charging. I've tried the Kushaq/Taigun and really loved their built and handling. This is when I realized that I really care about the feel of driving. Only issues are firmer suspension and fuel economy. I've also booked the Duster hybrid which should solve these two problems, but I haven't test driven the petrol Duster long enough to know if I get a similar feeling on the drive. What I did feel was a cramped cabin on the duster as my left knee was on the center console and right knee was on the door. This was not a concern with the Kushaq and Taigun. I'll try the Duster petrol again, and then also the hybrid. But I wonder if I should just get the Skoda/Volkswagen since I love them. I should perhaps think about resale, maintenance etc.

•2w

I’m planning to buy the new VW Taigun Topline MT as my first car. I’m a first-time buyer with no driving experience, but I’m genuinely interested in learning to drive and want a manual transmission rather than an automatic. My annual usage will be around 5,000–7,000km, mostly a mix of city and highway driving, and I intend to keep the car for 10–12 years. Safety is one of my biggest priorities, followed by looks, driving enjoyment and long-term ownership costs. Would you recommend the Taigun Topline MT over alternatives like the Hyundai Creta SX MT, Kia Seltos HTX MT or Duster Adventure? I’m choosing the Taigun because I like its looks, features and driving experience, but I want an honest assessment rather than a recommendation based solely on performance or enthusiast appeal. Would you go ahead with this choice in my situation?