Honda Elevate vs MG Astor vs Renault Duster (2026)
The classic midsize suv shortlist, settled with numbers (August 2026):
- Pick the Honda Elevate as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere.
- Pick the MG Astor if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.00 Lakh).
- Pick the Renault Duster if you want the most power (160 bhp), the best claimed efficiency (up to 19.41 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars), the biggest boot (518 L).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Honda Elevate | MG Astor | Renault Duster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹11.99 Lakh – ₹16.86 Lakh | ₹10.00 Lakh – ₹17.50 Lakh | ₹10.49 Lakh – ₹18.69 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.5L i-VTEC petrol | 1.5L petrol / 1.3L turbo-petrol | 1.0L turbo-petrol (TCe 100) / 1.3L turbo-petrol (TCe 160) |
| Max power | 119 bhp | 138 bhp | 160 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Transmissions | Manual, CVT | Manual, CVT, Torque Converter AT | Manual, DCT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 15–17 kmpl | 13.2-14.8 kmpl (ARAI) | 17.75-19.41 kmpl (ARAI, powertrain dependent) |
| Seating | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | Not tested | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Boot space | 458 L | 488 L | 518 L |
Honda Elevate in short
The Elevate is Honda's midsize SUV built on the City's platform, squaring up to the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara. It counters their variant blitz with a simple honest formula: the proven 1.5 i-VTEC, a smooth CVT, 220 mm ground clearance and Honda Sensing ADAS. It trades flash for driving polish and long-term dependability.
Full Elevate prices & variants →MG Astor in short
The MG Astor is the petrol sibling of the ZS EV and takes on the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara in the fiercely contested midsize SUV space. It stands out with Level 2 ADAS, a talking AI assistant on the dashboard and a plush red-leather cabin option. Sharp pricing keeps it relevant against newer rivals.
Full Astor prices & variants →Renault Duster in short
The Duster is back — the nameplate that created India's midsize SUV segment returned in 2026 on the Renault-Nissan CMF-B platform it shares with the Nissan Tekton, with butch third-generation styling, a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and six standard airbags. There is no diesel or AWD this time, but the 160bhp 1.3L turbo-petrol is among the punchiest engines in the class and a 518-litre boot leads it, while a strong-hybrid version is expected around Diwali 2026. It takes on the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara and its own alliance twin, the Tekton.
Full Duster prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Elevate vs Astor vs Duster — which should I buy?
Pick the Honda Elevate as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere. Pick the MG Astor if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.00 Lakh). Pick the Renault Duster if you want the most power (160 bhp), the best claimed efficiency (up to 19.41 kmpl), the best crash-test score (5 stars), the biggest boot (518 L). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Elevate, Astor, Duster?
The MG Astor starts lowest at ₹10.00 Lakh, against ₹10.49 Lakh for the Duster and ₹11.99 Lakh for the Elevate (ex-showroom, August 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Honda Elevate: not yet NCAP-tested; MG Astor: not yet NCAP-tested; Renault Duster: 5 stars.