Competition has intensified in the mid-size SUV segment of the Indian automobile market. Renault has introduced its new generation Duster at a starting ex-showroom price of Rs 10.49 lakh. To compete with the already existing Kia Seltos in this segment, the Duster has been given a hybrid engine and 700 liters of boot space.

Renault Duster Vs Kia Seltos: New Duster launched at Rs 10.49 lakh, which SUV is best for you than Kia Seltos?

Powertrain and performance: hybrid vs standard petrol

Renault has provided a 1.8 liter capacity E-Tech strong hybrid engine in the new Duster, which comes with a 1.4 KWh capacity battery. In heavy traffic, this car can run completely on EV mode. Additionally, the Duster also gets a new turbo TCe 160 petrol engine producing 153 PS of power and 280 Nm of torque and another turbo petrol option. The Duster is available with both manual and automatic gearboxes with off-roading capability.

On the other hand, Kia Seltos has a 1.5 liter naturally aspirated petrol engine, which generates 115 PS of power and 144 Nm of torque. It has 6-speed manual, IVT and iMT transmission options.

Cabin and features: Who has the upper hand?

The new Renault Duster has 212 mm ground clearance, 700 liters of boot space, inbuilt Google, Level-2 ADAS, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof and more than 35 safety features.

Kia Seltos has features like 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 8-inch digital instrument cluster, Bose premium sound system, dual-zone AC, 18-inch alloy wheels and 360-degree camera.

price comparison

The ex-showroom price of Renault Duster starts from Rs 10.49 lakh and goes up to Rs 18.69 lakh. At the same time, the starting ex-showroom price of Kia Seltos is Rs 11 lakh, while the price of its top variant has been kept at Rs 21.82 lakh.

Road Test and Ground Report

“If your priorities are better ground clearance, more luggage space (700L boot space) and hybrid mileage, the Duster is a strong choice. For buyers who want a tech-loaded cabin and a premium sound system, the Seltos is a better fit.”
— Auto Expert Tech Desk

Which SUV is right for you?

The low starting price and hybrid technology make the Renault Duster a budget-friendly option for customers looking for hybrid technology. If you pay more attention to luxury interior and infotainment screen, then you can go for Kia Seltos.