The Renault Duster Hybrid comes with the brand’s E-Tech 160 powertrain.
This consists of a 1.8L 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, as well as two electric motors: a 20hp generator motor and 49hp traction motor. Alongside this is a 1.4kWh battery. This combination gives the Duster Hybrid a total power of 160hp and 208Nm of torque from the traction motor alone.
Unlike the Grand Vitara, Hyryder and Victoris models that come with e-CVT transmissions, the Duster Hybrid features a multi-mode automatic transmission with 4 petrol gears and 2 electric gears. This gives the Duster Hybrid 8 different combinations to offer better performance, refinement and fuel economy.
When driven, the Duster Hybrid feels very punchy. The 0-100km/h sprint has been claimed to take just 9.61 seconds, making it the fastest strong hybrid in its segment. The Duster Hybrid’s electric motor gives it great instant torque through the city, while the petrol engine means there’s plenty of pull in the mid-range when on the highway.
The Duster Hybrid can launch off from EV mode, giving you silent driving at low speeds. Up to 80% of your driving can be done purely on electric power in the city, however the petrol engine does kick in between 40-60km/h. The transitions are smooth and while the complex Hybrid system can become quite busy when driving aggressively.
Fuel Economy & Range
The Duster Hybrid has been claimed to have an ARAI fuel economy of 29kmpl. This means it can give you a range of up to 1,400km on a full tank. This beats the Maruti Victoris Hybrid with 28.65kmpl, as well as the Grand Vitara and Hyryder hybrids with 27.97kmpl.
While your actual fuel economy won’t be that high, early reviews have shown it can do around 18-19kmpl in the city. The Duster Hybrid also has regenerative braking meaning you will get some extra help when driving in stop-start traffic. However, this is still impressive for a 160hp SUV and makes it a good option if you’re looking to move away from diesels.
Design, Interior & Features
The Duster Hybrid continues to give the tough SUV look that we’ve always associated with this model. It sits on 18-inch wheels and 225 section tyres making it look much tougher on the road than some Japanese rivals.
The top trims have a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, as well as a 10.25-inch fully digital dashboard with full screen navigation. The Emotion trim also adds a panoramic glass roof, ventilated front seats, Dune Brown leatherette trim and 6-way electric adjustable drivers seat.
The bottom Evolution trim still has a decent spec. It has a 10.1-inch touchscreen, 7-inch digital driver display, Dual Zone AC, Cruise Control, 6 speakers and auto up/down windows.
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Safety & Practicality
The Duster Hybrid has 6 airbags, Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Rear Parking Sensors and Rear View Camera. It also features all-wheel disc brakes. All nice to see on a car of this price.
However, Renault have had to make some sacrifices to keep the Duster Hybrid affordable. The Hybrid models don’t include a 360 Camera, ADAS, Auto dimming IRVM, Front parking sensors and Spare Wheel that are available on some turbo-petrol Dusters.
The battery underneath the car has also meant the boot space of the Duster Hybrid isn’t as big. It drops from 518L to 372L. This is still enough space but if you often carry heavy loads you’ll notice.
Price & Competition
The Duster Hybrid is available in 3 trims: Evolution (16.99 lakh), Techno (18.99 lakh) and Emotion (19.49 lakh).
Model Price Power Fuel Economy
Renault Duster Hybrid 16.99-19.49 Lakh 160hp 29kmpl
Maruti Victoris Hybrid 16.43-19.99 Lakh 116hp 28.65kmpl
Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid 16.68-19.77 Lakh 116hp 27.97kmpl
Toyota Hyryder Hybrid 17.18-20.31 Lakh 116hp 27.97kmpl
Although the price is higher than the Victoris, the top trim is cheaper than all of the Japanese options. It also has a much larger power difference with nearly 44hp more, a bigger battery with 1.4kWh, 2 electric motors and the best fuel economy in the segment.
Should I buy?
The Renault Duster Hybrid has a lot going for it. It gives you the performance of a turbo-petrol SUV, the fuel economy of a hybrid and the top trims have a very modern feel to them with lots of features. The strong hybrid powertrain is much more advanced than those that use an e-CVT.
The downsides are the smaller boot size, lack of ADAS and 360 camera, as well as the complex multi-mode hybrid gearbox. If you want the full package of safety and boot space, you may still want to go for one of the competitors.
Overall, the Duster Hybrid sets a new benchmark. It doesn’t compromise on performance and fuel economy. It has enough power to give you an enjoyable drive, enough fuel economy to make it a replacement for a diesel for many and is priced very competitively. If you’re looking for a strong hybrid SUV that feels different to the Toyota/Maruți formula, then the Renault Duster Hybrid is now one of the best options in India.
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