Nissan Tekton Vs Renault Duster— Nissan has launched its new mid-size SUV Tekton in the Indian automobile market at a starting price of ₹ 10.49 lakh (ex-showroom). The direct competition of Nissan Tecton is with the new Renault Duster built on its platform. Despite sharing the same platform and similar engine options, both the vehicles target different buyers in their design, variant list and driving appeal.

Nissan Tekton Vs Renault Duster: Which mid-size SUV is better at a starting price of Rs 10.49 lakh?

Direct competition between design and cabin features

The front design of Nissan Tecton is inspired by the company’s premium SUV Nissan Patrol. It gets full-width LED light bar, C-shaped DRL and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Renault Duster, on the other hand, maintains its traditional muscular and rough-and-tough look.

In terms of cabin and comfort, both the vehicles have been provided with many high-tech features:

• 10.1-inch infotainment system and 10.25-inch digital driver display.
• Level-2 ADAS safety technology and 360-degree camera.
• Panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats and wireless phone charger.
• Over 55 connected car features with built-in Google support.
• 700 liters of boot space (measured up to the roof).

Mathematics of Engine, Power and Mileage

In terms of powertrain, both SUVs are offered with two similar turbo-petrol engine options:

• 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol: This engine generates 99 bhp power and 166 Nm torque. It has a 6-speed manual gearbox. Its ARAI mileage is approximately 19.41 km/l.
• 1.3-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol: This powerful engine produces 161 bhp power and 280 Nm torque. It has a choice of 6-speed manual and 6-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) gearbox.

Opinion of auto experts

“Nissan Tecton and Renault Duster are sisters built on the same platform. The Tecton is a strong choice if you like bold and modern Japanese styling. Whereas the Duster will appeal to buyers looking for the classic rough-and-tough SUV look and the upcoming strong-hybrid option.”
— Automobile Analyst, Citi Auto Expert Group

Which SUV to buy is the right decision for you?

If your budget is between ₹10.49 lakh to ₹18.59 lakh and you want a feature-loaded, modern mid-size SUV with a 5-star Bharat-NCAP safety rating, then both the vehicles are great options for you. The Nissan Tecton is better suited for customers who want spotty-luxury interior trim (Burgundy and dual-tone). At the same time, if you trust the brand name and wide service network of Duster, then Renault Duster will prove to be a safe option.