The Renault Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 is impressing with its fuel efficiency and electric driving characteristics. But there are a few downsides too. Automotive journalist Bunny Punia has shared his thoughts on his recent drive. Read about the practicality of driving the Renault Duster Hybrid in city driving and on the highway – and if it makes financial sense.
Renault Duster Hybrid – Over 20kmpl In City Driving
Owner of car says that with a 1.4kWh battery pack, you’ll be able to drive in electric mode for 70-80% of your time in the city. This means the car drives very smoothly and quietly. In fact, he says you can get over 20kmpl in fuel efficiency too. This means it’s a good option if you do lots of city driving.
However, as soon as the 1.8 litre engine kicks in, it can be quite noisy and cause some vibration. If you’re driving at slow speeds (below 30-40kmph) then you’ll definitely notice the noise inside the cabin.Overall though, the impressive fuel efficiency should be one of the best parts of the car. If you’re doing lots of city driving, then driving on electric will help save fuel.
Highway Driving And Mileage
Bunny says that you’re still getting impressive efficiency from the Renault Duster Hybrid on the highway. He saw a return of 20-22kmpl when driving at 80-90kmph. It also has a much improved suspension setup and driving dynamics. You’ll still get electric mode kicking in during your journey. If your battery is still charged to 50-55% or more then you’ll still get electric mode. In city driving you can get down to around 25% battery charge and still get electric mode.This means the car balances performance with efficiency.
E-Save And B Mode
You’ll also get the E-Save feature. This means that the battery will charge to at least 40% so you can use it later. This can be handy if you’re heading into a busy city area after driving on the highway. However, this really depends on how the system is working. The B mode means you’ll get increased regenerative braking. This can help charge your battery back up in stop start driving. Both of these mean you have more control.
Performance
The car has great responsiveness once moving, but it isn’t that quick from a standing start. The car can feel a bit sluggish from a standing start, but it quickly gets into its stride.
Overall it looks like the car prioritises smooth driving and efficiency. If you’re using the car for regular commuting and relaxing on the motorways then you’ll be fine. However, if you want a sporty response then it may not be that impressive.
How Much Can You Save?
One of the most important things to think about with the Duster Hybrid is how much you can save on running costs. Bunny has done some calculations using the prices of ₹105 per litre for petrol. He used a 12kmpl return from the standard petrol model and 20kmpl from the hybrid. This means you’d be paying around ₹8.75 per km on the petrol automatic, and around ₹5.25 on the hybrid. So you would be saving ₹3.50 per km. If you drive 1500km per month then you’re looking at saving around ₹5250 per month. This means that over 5 years you could save up to ₹63,000. Assuming you’re driving the same amount each month. As the hybrid costs around ₹2.5 lakh more than the equivalent petrol automatic, it looks like you’ll be able to save the extra cost on fuel over time. However, if there are any benefits to registering a hybrid, you’ll get an even better deal. It really depends on how you drive, the amount of traffic you get into, fuel prices, maintenance and how much mileage you get.
Downsides Of The Renault Duster Hybrid
Although it has impressive efficiency, there are some sacrifices to make. The rear seats aren’t that spacious. Even though it has a big boot, families who often use the rear seats should think about if there is enough leg room. It also doesn’t have some of the luxury features. Things like ADAS, automatically dimming rear view mirror and 360 camera may be missing. There is also the resale value to think about. Although the Duster is known in India, the resale value of the hybrid may not be as good as the more well known competitors.
Should You Get The Renault Duster Hybrid?
The Renault Duster Strong Hybrid starts at ₹16.99 lakh. It’s a nice alternative if you want an efficient petrol SUV. With over 20kmpl in city driving, 20-22kmpl on the highway and frequent electric mode, it should appeal to those who drive high mileage. If you’re driving around 1500km per month then you should seriously consider getting it. If you’re driving mostly in the city and are going to keep it for a few years then it should be worth it.
It may not be perfect with the noise and vibration from the petrol engine at low speeds, average space in the rear and lack of luxury features. However, the potential to save on running costs and having a quieter drive with frequent electric mode makes it an attractive option. If you want a fuel efficient car and are going to spend long periods of time behind the wheel, then this new hybrid SUV from Renault could be a good option.