Renault Duster hybrid vs diesel-AT rivals: Claimed mileage, specs compared

Renault has finally launched the strong-hybrid version of the Duster in India, beckoning midsize SUV buyers to ditch diesel and go for hybrid powertrains instead. The Duster hybrid claims some impressive fuel efficiency figures and is priced aggressively, but how does it compare to the diesel-automatic versions of three of its most formidable rivals, the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Tata Sierra? We examined these four midsize SUVs closely on paper to find out.

Note: While the Tata Curvv diesel-DCT qualifies for this comparison, Tata is yet to publish ARAI mileage figures for the coupe-SUV, which is why we couldn’t include it here.

Renault Duster hybrid vs diesel-AT rivals: Powertrain and mileage

The Duster hybrid is powered by a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a duo of electric motors and a 1.4kWh battery pack. All three diesel SUVs, meanwhile, have smaller 1.5-litre engines that make less power than the Duster hybrid does. However, the upside to diesel is higher torque over petrol engines, and to that end, the Creta, Seltos, and Sierra all beat the Duster hybrid by a hefty margin. The Duster hybrid comes with a dedicated hybrid transmission (two speeds for the motors, four for the engine), while the diesel SUVs offer 6-speed torque converter automatics.

Coming to ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency, though, the Duster hybrid absolutely leapfrogs its diesel-powered opponents. It’s 11.2kpl ahead of the Seltos, 9.9kpl ahead of the Creta, and 9.78kpl ahead of the Sierra. Granted, these are claimed figures and real-world mileage won’t be as high in most scenarios, but even so, the Duster hybrid should deliver impressive results. Renault also claims a 1,400km range and up to 80 percent electric-only driving in urban conditions.

While the Duster hybrid is the second-longest and second-tallest SUV here, its wheelbase and width trail those of the Seltos and Sierra. That said, the Duster hybrid does feature the highest ground clearance here, and also comes fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels as standard – the other SUVs get 18-inch wheels in higher trims, with the Sierra even offering 19-inchers.

Boot space, however, sees a big hit in the Duster hybrid compared to the petrol version. The hybrid system’s battery is packaged underneath the boot floor, eating away 146 litres of luggage capacity – from 518 litres in the petrol Duster to 372 litres in the hybrid. Compared to the Duster hybrid, all three diesel SUVs offer larger boots, with the Sierra possessing the biggest one.

Renault Duster hybrid vs diesel-AT rivals: Prices

As mentioned previously, the Duster hybrid’s pricing is quite aggressive. However, the Duster hybrid is still undercut by its diesel-AT rivals at the base level, particularly the Seltos – the Kia SUV’s entry-level diesel-AT variant is Rs 1.67 lakh cheaper than the equivalent Duster hybrid version. Coming to top-end pricing, the Duster hybrid turns the tables and ends up being the most affordable option here by up to Rs 1.8 lakh.

To sum up, if you’re shopping around in the midsize SUV segment and primarily drive in the city, the Duster hybrid is a no-brainer, despite sporting a more expensive starting price. On the other hand, if you frequently go on highway trips, any of the diesel SUVs will be better, as diesel engines lend themselves well to long-distance cruising.

All prices are ex-showroom, India.