New Renault Duster vs Tata Sierra Vs Kia Seltos: Top End Trims Compared
The recently-launched Renault Duster has brought more heat into the mid-size SUV segment. The Tata Sierra, second-generation Kia Seltos and the new Duster now challenge the Creta’s dominance in the segment. Here’s a closer look at how the three vehicles compare with each other on various fronts.
Let’s start with the dimensions. The new Seltos is 4,460mm long, 1,830mm wide, 1,635mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,690mm. The Sierra measures 4,340 mm in length, 1,841 mm in width, 1,715 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,730 mm. The new Duster spans 4,346 mm in length, 1,815 mm in width, 1,703 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,657 mm.
The Seltos offers a boot space of 447 litres. The new Sierra has a bigger boot capacity- 622 litres. The new Duster has the biggest boot in its segment- 700 litres.
The new Seltos has a ground clearance of 200mm. The Sierra has 205mm and the Duster has the highest ground clearance among the three- 212mm.
The Duster, Seltos and Sierra have different approaches to exterior styling. Which design to choose would depend completely on the buyer. All three SUVs come with LED lighting and have connected LED tail lamps. Both Duster and Seltos come with 18-inch alloy wheels while the Sierra rides on 19-inch wheels.
Inside, all three SUVs look modern and are tech-packed. The second-generation Seltos gets a four-spoke steering wheel with integrated controls. Other features include dual 12.3-inch screens, a small 5-inch screen for AC display, 8-speaker BOSE premium audio, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, electronic parking brake with auto hold function, 360-degree camera, level 2 ADAS, ventilated seats, wireless charger, dual-zone climate control, digital key, Kia Connect 2.0, rear sunshades, a powered driver seat, ambient lighting and more.
The Sierra is the only SUV in the segment to offer a three-screen setup. It has two 12.3-inch touchscreens, one functioning as the central infotainment system and the other as the front passenger display, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, ventilated seats, a 12-speaker JBL audio system with Dolby Atmos, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ambient lighting, Head Up Display, electronic parking brake, connected car tech, wireless charger, 360-degree camera, rear sunshades, power-adjustable driver’s seat, puddle lamps, and powered tailgate.
The Duster’s feature list includes powered and ventilated front seats, six-speaker Arkamys sound system, 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, built-in Google integration, 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, electronic parking brake, powered tailgate, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, 360-degree camera, 48-colour ambient lighting, wireless charging bay and more.
In short, the Sierra is the only vehicle to offer the three-screen setup and Dolby Atmos. The Duster’s key attraction is the built-in Google integration. It is also the only one to offer power adjustments for both front seats.
The new Seltos is available with three engine options- 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol, 1.5L turbocharged petrol and 1.5L turbocharged diesel. Both manual and automatic transmissions are on offer. The naturally aspirated petrol engine produces 113hp and 144Nm, and can be had with a manual and CVT transmission.
The 1.5L turbocharged petrol engine makes 158 hp & 253 Nm and comes with a seven-speed dual clutch (DCT) automatic and a manual gearbox. The diesel engine has an output of 115hp & 250Nm and can be paired with a manual and a six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The second-generation Seltos is underpinned by the third-generation K3 platform.
Three engine options are offered on the Sierra as well- 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol, 1.5L turbocharged diesel and 1.5L direct injection turbocharged petrol. These make 106 hp & 145 Nm, 118 hp and 260 Nm (280Nm on automatic), 160 hp & 255 Nm, respectively.Both manual and automatic transmissions are offered. Forming the base of the Sierra is Tata’s new ARGOS platform.
The Duster is based on the RGMP platform and comes with two engine options- 1.0L turbocharged petrol and 1.3L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol. The former makes 98hp and 180 while the latter has an output of 160hp and 280Nm. The smaller engine is only available with a manual gearbox. A six-speed DCT automatic transmission is available on the 1.3 turbo-petrol.
Of the three, it is just the Duster that lacks a diesel engine. Interestingly, the previous Duster that was on sale here, used to offer a diesel engine. This time, Renault is betting big on turbo-petrols and hybrids (a 1.8L strong hybrid is expected to join around Diwali).
Let’s now discuss the prices. The Duster is cheaper than both the Sierra and Seltos. Its top-spec Iconic trim is priced in the range of Rs 16.99-18.49 lakh, ex-showroom. The Accomplished+ trim of Sierra has its ex-showroom prices in the Rs Rs 20.99 lakh-Rs 21.29 lakh bracket. The top trim of Seltos (GTX (A), X-Line (A)) sits in the range of Rs 19.49 lakh- Rs 19.99 lakh, ex-showroom. The Renault SUV clearly has a price advantage.