Renault Duster Hybrid Review – Can It Replace Your Diesel SUV?

Renault India has launched the new Duster Hybrid, taking on strong-hybrid SUVs from Maruti Suzuki and Toyota. With competitive pricing and a new E-Tech powertrain, it promises a compelling alternative for buyers seeking a balance of performance and fuel efficiency.

Prices range from Rs 16.99 lakh to Rs 19.49 lakh (ex-showroom), with three trims on offer – Evolution, Techno and Emotion. We drove the Duster Hybrid in varied conditions during the national media drive in Chennai to find out how its powertrain performs, what it offers and where it falls short.

Renault Duster Hybrid Review

Pricing is one of the Duster Hybrid’s biggest strengths. Starting at Rs 16.99 lakh (ex-showroom), it undercuts the Grand Vitara Hybrid and Toyota Hyryder Hybrid, with only the Victoris Hybrid offering a lower entry price. The top-spec variant, priced at Rs 19.49 lakh, also makes a strong case for value, although its powertrain advantages come with some equipment trade-offs, which we’ll explore below.

In terms of design, Duster Hybrid is the same as Duster and only visual differentiators are illuminated grille with Hybrid (all electrified Renault will have this) along with a big E-Tech Hybrid plaque on front fenders and a smaller E-Tech badge on rear tailgate. On the inside, visual differentiator is the Brown upholstery that lends a more airy and sophisticated feel.

New Hybrid Engine

Called E-Tech 160, Renault Duster Hybrid’s powertrain promises much more than rivals. All three immediate rivals share the same Hybrid powertrain which is based on a 1.5L 3-cylinder engine coupled with a battery (0.6 kWh in Hyryder) and two electric motors. Regulating the power and torque is an eCVT in all three rivals. Engine is rated at 91 bhp and 122 Nm, while the electric motor has 141 Nm of torque.

In comparison, Renault Duster Hybrid is packing a much larger 1.8L engine, which is a much smoother 4-cylinder unit and then the battery is more than twice in capacity at 1.4 kWh. The traction motor has up to 208 Nm of torque and the larger engine also churns out more performance at 108.5 bhp and 172 Nm. Claimed mileage is 29 km/l and claimed acceleration is under 10 seconds, which is better than rivals.

Also, there is a 4-speed gearbox with engine and a 2-speed gearbox with the traction motor for a total of 8 fixed ratios. This Hybrid system has six operating modes – EV Only Mode, Energy Recovery Mode, Series Hybrid Mode, Series-Parallel Hybrid Model, Charging Via Petrol Mode and Petrol-Only Mode. The system cleverly changes between these modes automatically. Users can manually activate E-Save option to reserve charge level in the battery for further use.

Driving Experience

With its more sophisticated powertrain, Duster Hybrid is one-upping the rivals in every way, at least on paper. These claims translate well in real world conditions too and it is immediately evident that Duster Hybrid is packing a vastly superior package than Japanese rivals. The engine is audible inside and a little buzzy, but it is significantly less harsh in comparison.

The Duster Hybrid feels responsive both in electric-only running and with the petrol engine engaged. Acceleration is brisk, with the electric motor’s 208 Nm providing strong initial shove. Shifts from the motor’s two-speed transmission are barely perceptible, while the engine’s four-speed gearbox takes longer to respond. Its more deliberate shifts recall an older torque-converter automatic, although we preferred its stepped delivery to the sustained revs typically associated with an eCVT under hard acceleration.

The system holds on to pure electric drive mode much longer than what rivals can. Gear selector can be shifted to B in the city for more regen and in D for more coasting. There are no paddle shifters and it’s alright. Engine automatically kicks in when vehicle speed touches 80 km/h and takes over from electric drive. Engine start is smooth and seamless as the ISG is quite refined.

Claims vs Real World Experience

Renault promises up to 80% pure electric drive in the city and in real world conditions, it comes close. Interacting with Renault team, they mentioned that close to 10 km of pure electric drive was achieved by them in real world conditions.

Another claim by Renault was up to 1,400 km tank range with Duster Hybrid. When we got the Duster Hybrid in Chennai, the estimated range was 620 km on full tank (50L) and it dropped to 500 km at the end of our drive. The 29 km/l mileage figure is highest among self-charging Hybrids offered in India.

From our first impressions, 29 km/l mileage feels achievable in city driving conditions. However, highway mileage will be much lower than the claimed 29 km/l figure. This is not a limitation of Duster Hybrid, but the limitation of self-charging Hybrid system, in general.

New FDD Suspension, Missing Features

To cope for the extra weight of Duster Hybrid’s electrical systems and its larger engine, Renault has added FDD (Frequency Dependent Dampers) tech to its suspension. Overall, the suspension feels a tad stiffly sprung at lower speeds and with increasing speeds, it becomes planted and absorptive. With a full house, Duster suspension is likely to sag less, owing to its stiff setup.

Renault has cut a few features to achieve a striking price point. On the surface, most notable missing features are Level-2 ADAS, 360-degree cameras and auto-dimming IRVM. But look closer and you’ll see that wireless charger is not of Qi2 standard seen in Duster, front seats don’t get lumbar adjustment in Hybrid and rain-sensing wipers are gone.

Infotainment screen does not have Google Services built-in and the TFT cluster only shows turn-by-turn navigation, instead of full-screen Maps, like in Duster. Interior space is still the same, but the new Brown upholstery lends an airy feel. Boot space is reduced to 544L (loaded till the roof) as the floor is raised to accommodate the battery. Spare wheel is still not offered as standard (just like non-hybrid Duster).

Bye Bye Diesel?

With the Duster Hybrid, Renault is targeting Diesel SUV buyers and has been aggressively marketing it as Diesel replacement. Duster Hybrid is a Diesel replacement, but with an asterisk. We say this because it makes sense as a Diesel replacement if your drive is in the city and slow speeds. If you want to maintain highway speeds, efficiency of Duster drops considerably. We would have liked if Renault offered E-Tech Plug-In Hybrid vehicles in India too.

As the owner of a Renault Captur Platine diesel manual, I fit the Duster Hybrid’s target audience. If my routine involved a 100 km daily commute through a busy city, it would be a compelling option. My own driving, however, includes regular highway journeys between home and my farmhouse, where fuel efficiency at cruising speeds matters more. For that usage, a diesel still deserves consideration.

To sum it up. Is Duster Hybrid for everyone? No. Is Hybrid a Diesel replacement? Only at slow speeds. Is Duster Hybrid the most superior self-charging Hybrids on sale in India? Absolutely.