Renault Duster 110ps vs XUV5OO W6

[Anandv267]

Hi all,
My dad has finally decided to buy a bigger car for the highway travels and is confused between the xuv and duster. Having read through various ownership reports of both the below is my summary of both. Please correct if i am wrong. I have also mentioned our requirements at the end of the post

XUV 5OO
+Looks. I personally love the front looks
+Road presence
+7 seats
+bigger engine and good dynamics for a suv
-fit and finish not so good
-electricals not very reliable
-waiting period(are booking open now?)
-drivability in city due to the size
-BRAKES!!!! (have to test drive to confirm on this)


DUSTER
+Reliable engine
+no fancy electronics which can go wrong
+ride quality
+good mileage
+good luggage space
-service and long term reliability still not proven wrt renault india
-only 5 seats
-puny engine(I doubt whether it has the grunt required for highways)
-Does not look intimidating(people wont be scared when they see a duster in the rearvierw mirror)
-adding bullbars and hella's does not improve the street cred of the car

OUR REQUIREMENTS
*diesel engine
*spacious for 2 6 footers to sit behind one another for 600 kms non stop
*driving is 60% city and 40 % highways
*90% of the highway driving will be done on NH's . Rest will be done on completely horrible roads
*Should be stable at speeds of 120kmph without strain. That is the max we will go when family is on board. Mostly the carr will be at 100-110kmph
*Should be able to take abuse from me when needed. During times i do chennai-theni in 6 hours flat. I know it is not safe but i am the lone driver at such times so i take some risks.
*Should not be too cumbersome to drive in the city
*Should look good when bull bars and hella's are added (Along with the big flag post attached to the bull bar- No flag will be attached. I am not directly connected to any political party as of now and neither is dad)



Please help me decide. The max budget we have set is 15 lakhs. Dad does not want to spend too much on a car right now.

Other cars which also satisfy the above criteria will also be considered if strong positives are given to dad. Min criteria for seating is should seat 5(2 6footers and 3 5feet8 people). Bull bar fantasay can be sacrificed if the car meets majority of the criteria! (After all there is a safari purchase happening next may for sure!)

And above all- should be atleast a lil fun to drive! If not up to the levels of the ford classic atleast like my ritz with upgraded and upsized tyres

Please pour in your suggestions

[DevilsCry]

If not up to the levels of the ford classic

Why not wait for Ford Ecosport?

-Does not look intimidating

Good point! I was once a bit scared when I saw an XUV staring at me so close in my rear view mirror

-puny engine

Are you sure? 110BHP for a light Duster might be a good highway performer, aided by its car like handling and SUV like pothole eater

[Anandv267]

Why not wait for Ford Ecosport?

The launch date is still not confirmed. So not willing to wait. Waited too long for this purchase.

Good point! I was once a bit scared when I saw an XUV staring at me so close in my rear view mirror

Exactly!!! Now imagine a white XUV with a big bull bar and two powerfull hella/light force auxillary units in your rear view when you are hogging the right lane on a NH at 80kmph!! (I dont mean you. I mean generally. Please dont take it in the wrong way )

Are you sure? 110BHP for a light Duster might be a good highway performer, aided by its car like handling and SUV like pothole eater

That is a very big plus for the duster. But still the duster doesnt look or feel special (Duster owners please dont get offended. The duster is an excellent vehicle. It is just that i have a soft spot for big mean cars!)

[Metalspree]

This requirement "spacious for 2 6 footers to sit behind one another for 600 kms non stop"of yours will be met only in a XUV. I feel duster is only a 4 seater, 5th person will kill the other 2 if seated in center .

[Anandv267]

Metalspree Is the duster that bad for the 5th passenger?

I have booked a test drive of both the xuv and the duster on wed. Will check into the space .

[Metalspree]

I am 6ft 2" and my friend is 6 ft . When we tried the duster neither one of us was comfortable. Transmission hump and rear AC vents make it impossible for 5th passenger to sit comfortably. One has to put legs on either sides on transmission hump and sit .

I would say take your family along and TD both the cars.

[Anandv267]

Metalspree thanks ji!! Will definitely do so.

[Lvramanan]

Anandv267 For your requirements, XUV stands best fit. Accomodating 2 6 foot persons would be a plum job for XUV. Don't go for Bull Bars. Even for XUV W6, there's 2 airbags whose functionality will be in question if the front bull bars are installed. Bull bars transfer the impact on to the chasis directly & the crumple zones on the front need to take the impact for the air bags to properly deploy. You're talking about 120 kms on the highway with proper handling ? Dude I recently did 180kmph on a inter state highway & the XUV was capable of even more with absolute discipline ! No dramas or body roll like Scorpio ! It was a pleasure. Driving the XUV in city needs confidence that's it. One confident driver can even drive a volvo Just kidding, XUV is city driveable as well. But as I said earlier, its real potential ought to be tested on the Highway ! Have a test drive & your hopes will not be let down... Looks is really subjective. If you like it go for it. Cos different people have their opinions. Hear what the people got to say about pros & cons of a vehicle in terms of engine, brakes, safety features, etc. as there will be a lot of first hand experience from people like us. Then go by what you feel with test drive. That will help you take a lot more sensible decision.

[shishirbn]

The max budget we have set is 15 lakhs

Why not Safari 2.2VTT

(are booking open now?)

XUV booking are closed as of now

drivability in city due to the size

Very easy to drive in city. I have driven that and it is awesome.

If you are not looking for Safari, then gofor XUV. Forget others which doon't even come near this one IMO

[Metalspree]

XUV bookings closed , never knew this.