Hyundai Verna CRDI SX Plus AT vs Renault Duster RXZ 4X2 AMT

Hyundai has introduced the all-new Verna in India recently. The C-segment sedan is in its fifth generation now. The Korean sedan had a good reign in its segment, locking horns against the likes of Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, and Volkswagen Vento in its class. You can read its Competition Check here.

With SUVs/crossover being in demand these days, car buyers have multiple options to choose from for a price similar to the new Verna. The closest alternative here is the Renault Duster, which is also your go-to vehicle if you want a practical crossover. Read on to find out how the Duster fares against the new Verna. 

For this exercise, we have selected the diesel automatic variants of both these cars - Verna CRDI SX Plus AT and the Duster RXZ 4X2 AMT. The price difference between them is a mere Rs 29,000 (ex-showroom).

Exterior and Dimensions: 

The new generation Verna takes its design cues from the Elantra. There’s a cascading grille, wrap-around LED tail lights and the characteristic coupe-style sloping roofline. The Verna measures 4,380 mm in length, 1,728 mm in width and stands 1,460 mm tall. The ground clearance is 165 mm, while the wheelbase is 2600 mm. The boot space is an impressive 465 litres. 

In comparison, the boot space in the Duster is even better, at 475 litres. Lengthwise, the Duster is shorter than the sedan at 4315 mm, but it is wider at 1822 mm. Being a high-riding vehicle, the Duster boasts of a ground clearance of 205 mm and its overall height is 1695 mm. The Duster carries typical crossover elements such as all-round body cladding, faux skid plates and roof rails. After its latest update, the headlights and tail lights now sport a funkier LED illumination signature. It rides on 16-inch alloy wheels.

Interior and Features:

The Verna’s cabin was always a fully-loaded one. However, the new Verna gets some additional features. The dashboard now gets seven-inch infotainment system with smartphone integration. There are ventilated seats, climate control, rear air-conditioning vents, and electric ORVMs. There are six airbags and ABS with EBD as well. But the welcome addition is the extra legroom for the rear passengers.

The Duster being one below the top-spec variant gets all the goodies expected in a sub-14 lakh car. The upholstery is new with a soft touch dashboard and door trims. The infotainment screen now comes with navigation, Bluetooth and telephone connectivity. It also packs automatic air-con, cruise control, electric mirrors, dual airbags, ABS with EBD, hill-start assist, and ESP. 

Engine and Transmission:

The diesel Verna SX Plus is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder CRDI engine. The oil burner puts out 126bhp of power at 4000rpm and an impressive torque of 260Nm from as low as 1,500rpm. The Duster’s 1.5 dCI K9K THP diesel engine is available in the two output options. The 110 PS variant belts out 108 bhp at 3,900Nm and the torque is rated at 248Nm from 2,250 rpm. Both the vehicles get a six-speed AMT transmission.

Verdict:

At a similar price point, both these cars are very attractive options for the Indian car buyers. The Hyundai is newer amongst the two and is a proper C-segment offering. The Duster, on the other hand, has been around for some time now and Renault has managed to keep it fresh with regular design tweaks. Both the cars are feature loaded and come at a handsome price range. It all comes down to personal choice in the end — whether it’s a crossover or a sedan that you want for your money. And you won’t regret buying either of the two.