The number of cars being sold every year is growing exponentially. However, our infrastructure isn’t developing at the same pace. This has lead to endless traffic jams which demand countless gear changes. Here's where automatic transmission comes into the picture as it gives you a clutch-free driving experience.

Another trend, the growing popularity of SUVs/Crossovers in India, could be attributed to the possible lack of well-surfaced roads. If you qualify as such a buyer, who is looking to buy a cheap automatic SUV, we have a new entrant in the segment - the Renault Duster petrol automatic. It was recently launched at a price tag of Rs 10.32 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi. It gets a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol motor that puts out 106PS of power and 142Nm of peak torque. Mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) gearbox, it returns 14.99 kilometres per litre. Not bad, eh? 

Before concluding this is the one to go for, let’s look at its competition in the segment. Priced a little higher than the Duster is Honda’s BR-V petrol automatic and Hyundai’s Creta petrol automatic. How do they fare in this spec comparison? Let’s find out. 

Before jumping right in, let us make it clear that the Honda BR-V is a seven-seat vehicle and other two are five seaters. All three vehicles get a spacious second row of seats and in the case of the BR-V, it can even seat five adults and a couple of kids at the back. The Duster gets the largest wheelbase among the three, which results in good cabin space and a boot capacity of 475 litres. The Honda BR-V can hold 223 litres of luggage with the third row on and a massive 691 litres with the third row folded. On the other hand, the Hyundai Creta’s boot gets a rated boot capacity of 400 litres.

As far as the engines on offer are concerned, all the cars feature 4-cylinder petrol motors, mated to CVT transmissions in the case of the Duster and the BR-V, while the Creta gets a more conventional torque converter automatic unit. The Creta gets the most powerful motor that churns out 123PS, but the most fuel efficient of the lot at 16 kmpl is the Honda BR-V. All cars get good clearance figures to tackle bad roads. Among the lot, the Renault Duster stands tallest at 205mm. All the cars are offered in trim levels below their respective top-end variants and get dual airbags, ABS with EBD. The BR-V automatic offers you the convenience of paddle shifts but misses out on a touchscreen infotainment unit and navigation.

The Renault Duster is the most inexpensive car that you can buy at Rs 10.32 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. Whereas the other cars are dearer by almost two lakhs. That is a considerable premium for someone looking at relatively cheaper options. On paper, for a potential buyer looking for a compact five-seat SUV with an automatic, the Duster petrol CVT looks like good value for money. Stay tuned to Zigwheels for a detailed comparison.

Source: Zigwheels.com