The Renault Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid are both strong contenders for buyers searching for an electrified SUV option in India. Both vehicles combine a petrol engine plus electric motor assistance, in order to improve fuel efficiency, reduce fuel consumption in city traffic and offer a more refined feel than a traditional petrol-powered SUV.
The two SUVs have different hybrid technologies fitted, and their petrol engine plus electric motor combination offer varying amounts of power. The Renault Duster Strong Hybrid has more variants on offer and a higher starting price, but the Grand Vitara starts at a lower price and offers more variants. Each buyer will consider the different engines, electric motor assistance and the overall fuel consumption figures.
Renault Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 vs Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid: Price Comparison
The Renault Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 offers three variants: Evolution, Techno and Emotion. The Evolution costs Rs 16.99 lakh, and the Techno is priced at Rs 18.99 lakh. The Emotion, which costs Rs 19.49 lakh, would be Rs 2.50 lakh more expensive than the entry-level variant.
The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has five variants: Delta+, Zeta+, Zeta+ (O), Alpha+ and Alpha+ (O). The entry-level Delta+ costs Rs 16.68 lakh, whereas the Alpha+ (O) will cost Rs 19.62 lakh.
The Grand Vitara starts Rs 31,000 cheaper than the Renault Duster. However, the Emotion variant is Rs 13,000 cheaper than the top-spec Alpha+ (O).
The difference becomes more apparent when comparing variants: the Duster Evolution costs Rs 16.99 lakh and the Grand Vitara Delta+ starts at Rs 16.68 lakh. The Duster Emotion will cost Rs 19.49 lakh, and the Grand Vitara Alpha+ (O) would cost Rs 19.62 lakh, compared to Rs 19.55 lakh for the Grand Vitara Alpha+.
The figures shown above are ex-showroom prices, which means that the registration, insurance, road-tax and any other applicable costs should also be taken into consideration. The buyer should also consider what the equipment includes in each variant.
Renault Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160: Engine and Performance
The Renault Duster Strong Hybrid combines a 1.8-litre petrol engine with two electric motors and a 1.4 kWh battery. This hybrid system claims to deliver up to 160 hp.
Renault’s E-Tech technology will allow the driver to take full advantage of the assistance provided by the electric motors. The SUV will be able to run on electricity in specific circumstances, and the petrol engine will be required only when the assistance from the electric motor is no longer available.
The E-Tech hybrid system can be utilised in any driving conditions without the need for the driver to invest in a home charging station. The battery is charged through the engine and brakes, and the car can be driven exactly like an automatic petrol SUV.
The strong-hybrid system would be ideal for families that spend a considerable amount of time in city traffic, but require the flexibility of using a petrol engine on the motorway. The 160 hp provided by the system will offer a balance between everyday fuel efficiency and dynamic performance. This is not an outright power-focused petrol SUV, nor is it a pure electric vehicle with a small petrol engine for range.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid: Engine and Performance
The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, combined with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. This system provides a combined 116 hp and uses an e-CVT transmission.
The strong-hybrid system on the Grand Vitara can run on electricity alone during certain circumstances. The petrol engine and battery will provide propulsion during harder acceleration efforts. The battery is charged through the engine and the brakes, and does not require a separate charging point.
Strong-hybrid vehicles such as the Grand Vitara are focused on reducing fuel consumption in town traffic, where frequent acceleration and deceleration can waste a large amount of energy. The e-CVT drivetrain is designed to provide smooth power delivery, as opposed to a traditional automatic transmission with set gears.
Compared to the Duster’s system, the Grand Vitara offers less overall power. However, families who put fuel efficiency and smooth urban driving as a priority will enjoy the advantages of this hybrid drivetrain.
Hybrid Technology and Electric Driving Compared
The key difference between the two SUVs is the hybrid technology fitted in each vehicle. The Duster uses Renault’s E-Tech system, whereas the Grand Vitara uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine, an electric motor and an e-CVT gearbox.
Both systems can run on electricity alone for a limited time, depending on the charge, speed, accelerator input and other conditions. Neither vehicle needs to be plugged in to charge the battery.
The larger 1.8-litre engine and the higher combined power of the Duster suggest an emphasis on performance, whereas the Grand Vitara’s smaller engine and lower combined system power indicates a priority on fuel efficiency. In the real world, the fuel efficiency and power delivery characteristics will depend on how hard the accelerator is pressed, the amount of traffic and the road conditions.
It is worth noting the difference between a strong-hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. Strong-hybrids, such as the Grand Vitara and the Duster, charge the battery through the engine and brakes, and cannot be plugged in to charge. Plug-in hybrids can be plugged in to charge the battery, and can run on electricity alone for the majority of the journey.
Features, Comfort and Practicality
The Renault Duster Strong Hybrid’s variants will be chosen based on equipment: the infotainment, the digital displays, the air-conditioning, the driver-assistance systems, the rear-view camera, seat adjustment and the technology available should all be considered.
The same applies to the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid. Families who want more equipment will have to choose a higher-spec variant. Details on what equipment is available in each variant should be cross-referenced with the current variant-specific brochure.
For families, comfort and practicality are equally important as the powertrain. The Duster and Grand Vitara offer different cabin characteristics, with different seating positions and luggage space. Taking the family for a test drive will show which SUV provides the most comfort.
Equipment such as airbags, stability control, the brakes, rear parking sensors and driver-assistance systems should also be compared from variant to variant. The equipment offered in each variant can change depending on the model year and the territory.
Which Hybrid SUV Offers Better Value for Money?
The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has a slight advantage in terms of entry-level pricing and the number of variants on offer. Its strong-hybrid system will be ideal for families that spend a lot of time in city traffic, without being forced to change their refuelling habits.
The Renault Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 is higher-priced and offers fewer variants, but its hybrid system provides more power. Families that want a high level of performance, combined with fuel efficiency in town traffic, will find the Duster more appealing. The difference in the variants becomes less of an issue when the buyer selects a preferred spec.
The costs involved in the running costs of each SUV will also dictate the choice of many families. More powerful hybrid vehicles are not necessarily less fuel-efficient than their lower-powered counterparts. Neither will a lower-powered hybrid system always offer the lowest fuel consumption in every situation.
conclusion
The Renault Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid target buyers that want the convenience of a petrol engine and the assistance of an electric motor. The Grand Vitara starts at Rs 16.68 lakh and offers five variants with a strong-hybrid powertrain. It is ideal for families that want to reduce fuel consumption and use electric assistance.
The Duster Strong Hybrid starts at a higher price of Rs 16.99 lakh, but the E-Tech hybrid technology offers up to 160 hp. Families that want a more powerful hybrid SUV will find the Duster more appealing. However, the Grand Vitara offers more variants and a lower starting price. The overall choice depends on the variant-specific equipment, the safety technology and the overall fuel efficiency figures offered by each vehicle.