Renault Duster Strong Hybrid vs Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid

Renault India has launched the Duster with Strong Hybrid technology at a starting price of Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom), and its fuel-efficiency numbers have generated a lot of traction online. It takes on the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, the flag-bearer of hybrid SUVs in India, which could see a dip in sales as the Duster Hybrid promises more range, power and mileage. To give a clear picture, we compare the two cars on what each offers, so potential buyers know what to look for.

Renault Duster Strong Hybrid vs Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid: Fuel Efficiency and Range

Renault Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 is the full name of the model, and it is equipped with a 1.8L naturally aspirated Atkinson cycle engine paired with a two-motor and a 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The combined output is 160 PS and 208 Nm of torque, and the claimed fuel efficiency of the Renault Duster Hybrid is 29 kmpl. Plus, Renault claims that, in a one-single tank, it provides a range of 1400+ km.

The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid is powered by a 1.5L 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a 0.76 kWh battery pack, and the claimed fuel efficiency of this car is 27.97 kmpl. The combined power output here is 116 PS and 141 Nm of torque. Moreover, the official website states that, with a full tank, it provides a range of over 1200 km.

Even before we get into the technical details of these cars, one thing is crystal clear: that the Duster Strong Hybrid is ahead in several aspects, and for whoever mileage matters the most, this is the go-to car here. 

Technology Behind The Renault Duster Strong Hybrid

There are five key pillar of Renault Duster Strong Hybrid that works together in order to provide exceptional fuel-efficiency as well as best-in-segment performance. So these are:-

• 1.8 Litre 4-cylinder
• 1.4 kWh & 247V battery
• Starter Generator
• Traction Motor
• Multi-Mode Automatic Gearbox

First and foremost is the 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which makes 110 PS and 175 Nm of torque. Second comes the 1.4 kWh battery pack, the largest among its rivals, which offers up to 80 per cent of city driving in pure electric mode. Then there is a starter generator attached to the engine, which aids engine start and smooth gear shifts and handles battery charging and energy recovery. Third is the core pillar of the traction motor, which is attached to the driveline and lets the car drive in EV mode. 

Beyond that, it does the heavy lifting by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy that is stored in the battery pack, adding more range. Basically, these two motors work like siblings. Lastly, we have a multi-mode automatic gearbox, which is the first of its kind in the segment. It provides two modes for pure EV driving and four petrol modes, and combined, a total of eight combinations for hybrid driving. So, it can manipulate the engine and give the driver more ownership of how the Duster Hybrid behaves. 

Result of these five pillars working together is Renault Duster promising to offer 29 kmpl of fuel-efficieny, 0 to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds, range of 1400+ km, and upto 80 percent of city driving in EV mode. So, as compared to Maruti Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, Duster Hybrid has more power, torque, and an intelligent transmission, that makes the driving feel more engaging and communicative.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid

The Strong Hybrid system of the Grand Vitara also runs on four key pillars: a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine, a 0.74 kWh lithium-ion battery, an electric motor that assists the petrol engine and draws on electricity, and a power control unit that manages between the two. So, if there is enough charge in the battery, this car can run purely on EV mode at slower speeds. When more performance is required, the petrol engine kicks in and takes assistance from electric power. Plus, the overall setup is the same as any other hybrid, in that it charges itself through regenerative braking. The system is paired with an e-CVT gearbox that offers three driving modes: Eco, Normal, and Power. But compared to the Duster Hybrid, everything here is smaller, so the overall performance and even fuel efficiency are lower.

Price Difference between Renault Duster Hybrid and Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid

Renault Duster Strong Hybrid

Evolution - Rs 16.99 Lakh

Techno - Rs 18.99 Lakh

Emotion - Rs 19.49 Lakh

Maruti Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid

Delta + - Rs 16.68 Lakh

Zeta + - Rs 18.12 Lakh

Zeta + (O) - Rs 18.70 Lakh

Alpha + - Rs 19.70 Lakh

Alpha + (O) - Rs 19.77 Lakh

Renault has kept things simple with just three variants, and even there, the pricing is competitive. On the other hand, Maruti Suzuki provides five variants, each with more features, democratising the vehicle, as there is very little difference between the variants.

On the features front, the Duster Strong Hybrid loses out on two features that Renault offers with the standard Duster: Level-2 ADAS and a 360-degree parking camera. Everything else is the same. There is one new addition, though. The Duster lettering on the grille now lights up in LED, and this is not available even on the regular versions. Other features available with the Duster Strong Hybrid include:

• Panoramic Sunroof
• 10.1 inch Infotainment touchscreen
• 10.25 inch Digital Instrument Cluster
• Ventilated Front Seats
• Powered Front Seats
• In-Built Google Maps
• Ambient Lights
• Reverse Parking Camera
• Wireless-Charging Pad
• Powered Tailgate

Now, talking about the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara features, this car also misses on Level-2 ADAS, but 360-parking camera is present. Rest, no difference with the regular variants of Grand Vitara.

• Panoramic sunroof
• Head-up display
• 360-degree camera
• Ventilated front seats
• Digital instrument cluster
• 9-inch touchscreen infotainment

Verdict

Our winner for this comparison is the Renault Duster Hybrid, as it shines in every department, with great mileage, more power and long range. Plus, the pricing is fantastic, with the top-end being Rs 28,000 more affordable than the Grand Vitara’s top variant, and it provides more value for money. Also, in terms of practicality, the Duster Hybrid emerges as the clear winner with 544 litres of boot space with the parcel tray, and if you remove it, it turns out to be a massive 700 litres. In the Maruti Grand Vitara, you only get 265 litres of space. So, in almost every scenario, the better and preferred car is the Duster Strong Hybrid.