Renault Duster SUV VS Maruti Ertiga LUV– Which Is Better?

Renault Duster is creating a lot of excitement in the Indian market ever since its launch on 4th July 2012 in India. The Renault Duster has been launched at Rs. 7.19 Lakhs ex-showroom Delhi introductory price which may go up in a couple of months depending on the demand for the car. Renault India is betting big on Duster and it maybe a game changer product for Renault in India as it does have the best attributes of an SUV, Sedan and a hatchback which make it a very unique offering creating a segment of its own. While it has interior space and feel of an SUV (for 5 adults max), it has handling of a sedan and fuel economy like a hatchback. Light weight, monocoque construction, frugal diesel engines and intelligent designing have together made this possible in one product.

Another very successful launch in recent times is the Maruti Ertiga LUV (or MPV) which is creating huge demand in India and Indonesia with its compact exterior size, seating capacity for 7 adults, great handling of successful Swift platform and pricing of a sedan. To big extent, Ertiga and Duster both offer excellent value as an alternative to sedans in India, so in continuation to our car comparison series, we will compared Renault Duster Vs Maruti Ertiga to find out which is a better alternative for you.

Exteriors Comparison

Renault Duster Dimensions

Length: 4315mm
Width: 1822mm
Height: 1695mm
Wheel base: 2673mm

The exterior appeal of the Duster compact SUV is very masculine with bold wheel arches, chunky headlamps, large grille and air-dams, sporty roof rails and smart looking dual tone bumpers with sporty side profile. For SUV aspirants who would like to own an SUV at affordable price, Duster seems to be a very lucrative package.

Maruti Ertiga LUV Dimensions

Length: 4265mm
Width: 1695 mm
Height 1685 mm
Wheel Base: 2740 mm

Ertiga is also designed very intelligently by giving it an overall sleek shape. The front of the car seems like a small car while the side profile only reveals the actual size of the car. The Ertiga looks sleek because of its lower width when compared to Duster. The Ertiga does not look that sporty, but for a 7 seater MPV, it does look pretty decent. In terms of absolute comparison of looks, Duster is my pick.

Interiors Comparison

Interior of the duster are nice and comfortable with good quality of materials, impressive design and lots of features. The quality of the Duster interiors seems better than the Ertiga, but the design if comparatively plain and simple when compared to the Ertiga.

Ertiga borrows the front dashboard design from new Swift or Dzire which is quite sporty and the quality of materials as well as design are good. In terms of space, Ertiga is longer but less in width when compared to Duster. Ertiga can seat up to 5 adults in 3 rows while the Duster has space for only 5 adults with large luggage compartment of 475 litres while Ertiga has very small boot space when 7 passengers are seated, but with 5 passengers and last row of seats folded flat, Ertiga can handle similar luggage as Duster with ease.

While Duster has more width and elbow room, the Ertiga is more attractive design on the interiors. In terms of this comparison, I would call it a tie.

Engine Comparison

Renault Duster Engine Options

Petrol Engine

Displacement: 1598 cc
Power: 103 BHP @ 5850 RPM
Torque: 145 Nm @ 3750 RPM
Transmission: 5 speed manual transmission
Fuel Efficiency: 13.24 KMPL
Kerb Weight of about 1318 Kg
Power to weight ratio of 78 BHP per 1000 Kg

Diesel Engine 85 PS

Displacement: 1461 cc
Power: 84 BHP @ 4750 RPM
Torque: 200 Nm @ 1900 RPM
Transmission: 5 speed manual transmission
Fuel Efficiency: 20.46 KMPL
Kerb Weight of about 1335 Kg
Power to weight ratio of 64 BHP per 1000 Kg

Diesel Engine 110 PS

Displacement: 1461 cc
Power: 109 BHP @ 3900 RPM
Torque: 228 Nm @ 2250 RPM
Transmission: 6 speed manual transmission
Fuel Efficiency: 19.01 KMPL
Kerb Weight of about 1355 Kg
Power to weight ratio of 81 BHP per 1000 Kg

Maruti Ertiga Engine Options

Ertiga Petrol Engine

1.4 Litre MPFI Petrol Engine
K14 Petrol Engine With VVTI Technology
Peak Power of 94 BHP @ 6000 RPM
Peak Torque of 130 Nm @ 4000 RPM
ARAI Tested Mileage of 16.02 KMPL !
5 Speed Manual transmission
Kerb Weight of 1175 Kg
Power to weight ratio of 80 BHP per 1000 Kg

Ertiga Diesel engine

1.3 litre turbocharged DDIS engine
Max power of 90 BHP @ 4000 RPM
Max torque of 200 Nm @ 1750 RPM
ARAI certified mileage of 20.77 KMPL
5 speed manual transmission
Kerb weight of 1240 Kg for Ertiga Diesel
Power to weight ratio of 72 BHP per 1000 kg

Duster comes in 3 engine options :1 petrol and 2 diesel while the Ertiga comes with 2 options: 1 petrol and 1 diesel. Talking of the petrol engine variants, the Duster delivers a power of 103 BHP while the Ertiga delivers 90 BHP, but in real world conditions, due to more kerb weight of Duster compared to Ertiga, both feel equally agile. On the plus side, the Ertiga delivers a claimed mileage of 16 KMPL while the Duster delivers 13.24 KMPL. For Petrol, the Ertiga engine seems more frugal.

In Diesel engine options, the 85 PS engine of Duster seems a bit underpowered against the 90 BHP Ertiga engine, but since both Ertiga and Duster deliver same level of torque, the real world difference is not too considerable. Also the higher power 110PS engine with about 15% extra power and torque compared to the Ertiga’s diesel engine, Duster 110 PS engine seems more attractive with almost same fuel economy rating as Ertiga.

Handling and Performance

In terms of performance and handling, Duster is quite rugged because of its monocoque chassis and sporty suspension. With 210 mm of ground clearance, it does negotiate bad roads with ease. It is also a very well-behaved car at higher speeds with sharp handling characteristics.

Ertiga on the other hand is also built on a well acclaimed sporty platform of Swift (extended swift platform) and does have good driving dynamics. With lower ground clearance of 185mm compared to Duster, it can not go on as bad roads as Duster can take. For an MPV, it handles excellently but when compared to the fun and sportiness of a mini SUV it does seem less exciting.

Price & Features

Renault Duster Official Price for different variants ex-showroom Delhi is as follows:

Renault Duster RXE 1.6 Petrol is priced at Rs. 7.19 Lakhs
Renault Duster RXL 1.6 Petrol is priced at Rs. 8.19 Lakhs
Renault Duster RXE 1.5 Diesel 85 PS is priced at Rs. 7.99 Lakhs
Renault Duster RXL 1.5 Diesel 85 PS is priced at Rs. 8.99 Lakhs
Renault Duster RXL 1.5 Diesel Option Pack 85 PS is priced at Rs. 9.99 Lakhs
Renault Duster RXL 1.5 Diesel 110 PS is priced at Rs. 9.99 Lakhs
Renault Duster RXZ 1.5 Diesel 110 PS is priced at Rs. 10.99 Lakhs
Renault Duster RXZ 1.5 Diesel Leather Pack 110 PS is priced at Rs. 11.29 Lakhs

Duster starts at Rs. 7.19 Lakhs for base petrol variant and goes up to Rs. 8.19 Lakhs for the top end petrol. The diesel variants of Duster are priced between 7.99 Lakhs and goes up to Rs. 11.29 Lakhs.

The entry level RxE variants on both petrol and diesel miss out on safety features like ABS and EBD, Airbags, rear washer and wipers, fog lamps, reverse parking sensors etc. It also misses out on the Integrated audio system.

In the mid end RxL variant adds some optional features in the 85 PS diesel model which includes airbags, ABS, alloy wheels, beige interiors etc. while some other features which come standard in mid variant includes integrated audio system with phone support, rear defogger, rear-wash and wiper, front fog lamps, front and rear reading lamps etc. The interiors also get some more metallic treatment.

The top end RxZ trim which comes only with the 110 PS Diesel engine gets all safety features as standard, more chrome on the exteriors, rear AC vent, leather and chrome treatments on the interior etc. to name a few.

The official price list of Maruti Ertiga LUV ex-showroom Delhi is as follows:

Maruti Ertiga LUV Petrol LXi is priced at Rs. 5.89 Lakhs
Maruti Ertiga LUV Petrol VXi is priced at Rs. 6.60 Lakhs
Maruti Ertiga LUV Petrol ZXi is priced at Rs.7.40 Lakhs
Maruti Ertiga LUV Diesel LDi is priced at Rs. 7.30 Lakhs
Maruti Ertiga LUV Diesel VDi is priced at Rs. 7.96 Lakhs
Maruti Ertiga LUV Diesel ZDi is priced at Rs. 8.60 Lakhs

Ertiga petrol starts from Rs. 5.89 Lakhs and foes up to Rs. 7.40 Lakhs. The diesel range is priced between Rs. 7.30 Lakhs and goes up to 8.60 lakhs.

The base variant Lxi misses out on ABS, security alarm system, tachometer, rear ac vents, integrated audio system, power windows, central locking and keyless entry, alloy wheels, fog lamps etc. In short, the base variant in petrol come with no frills which helps to keep the price to a minimum. The base Diesel Ldi has same features as that of Lxi except for the ABD and EBD which starts from the base variant in Diesel lineup.

The mid level variants Vxi and Vdi add ABS which is optional for petrol but standard for Diesel, security alarm system, rear AC vents, Integrated audio system with speakers, 4 door power windows, central locking, keyless entry, electrically adjustable ORVMs, front and rear fog lamps etc.

The top end variant Zxi and Zdi additionally add ABS and Airbags as standard, steering mounted audio control, driver seat height adjust, alloy wheels, rear defogger, rear window washer and wiper etc.

Renault Duster & Maruti Ertiga Video Reviews

video –Renault Duster Video Walk around review

video –Maruti Ertiga Video Walk around review

Car Blog India verdict – Renault Duster Vs Maruti Ertiga

Talking in terms of value for money and mileage, the Ertiga is a better choice with seating for 7 adults. Another factor which goes in favour of Ertiga is the huge sales and service network of Maruti Suzuki. But if you are willing to spend some more money to get ability to off-road and experience better handling and fun of driving Duster is a better alternative for you, Ertiga will be a more economical choice while Duster will be a much more fun to drive experience. If you are still not clear, we suggest you take both the cars for a good test drive and see for yourself which appeals you more.

Updated on 12 July 2012

Renault Duster now comes with 7 seats option, so if you were planning to skip the Duster just because of the seating capacity, you can think again.

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