Comparison: Ford EcoSport vs Renault Duster vs Tata Nexon

Ford EcoSport vs Renault Duster vs Tata Nexon Comparison

Tata Nexon is the newest offering in the compact SUV arena and at the threat of sounding biased, we would like to say that it looks like a concept that jumped out of the drawing board. Nevertheless, aesthetics would be a parameter on which we would pit these cars against one another. Let’s take a look at how the new kid on the block- Tata Nexon takes on the Veterans which are Renault Duster and Ford Ecosport.

Dimension Comparison

In terms of the overall length both Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport ties out around the vicinity of 4000 mm and Renault Duster takes the title of being the longest compact SUV of the three. Renault Duster also happens to be the tallest of the three and Nexon with its slanting roof line is the shortest

With SUVs, compact or otherwise one of the most vital dimension has always been the ground clearance. The latest offering from Tata must be commended on the fact that at 209 mm it manages to offer the highest ground clearance of the three, followed by Duster and final Ford EcoSport.

Engine Comparison

Petrol Engine Comparison:

Ford EcoSport has the most powerful petrol powerplant of the three and surpassing the crowd favourite Duster is the all-new Tata Nexon with 108.5 bhp. Even though Nexon’s torquey Reventoq mill with its 170 Nm of peak torque is quite impressive, the lack of an automatic variant is very evident when compared to the other two compact SUVs.

Not only is Ford EcoSport the most powerful contender in this segment but also the most frugal. With 17kmpl (ARAI claimed) fuel economy stats, it takes on Nexon and Duster, quite easily.

Diesel Engine Comparison

Renault Duster, with its 110 bhp Sandstorm offering is the most powerful diesel of the three. Tata Nexon manages to impress by coming in at a close second, in terms of power output with 108.5 bhp and a whopping 260 Nm of torque which blows the competition out of the water by offering around 25% more torque as compared to either of the SUVs.

Ford EcoSport manages to stand fast against the competition by offering the highest ARAI acclaimed fuel economy of 23 kmpl and a respectable power output of 98.6 bhp.

It must be noted that of all the three offerings only Renault Duster is offed with an option of All-Wheel Drive variant, whereas both Nexon and Ford EcoSport are only offered in Front-Wheel drive layouts.

Prices Comparison

Tata’s new compact SUV is offered with one of the most competitive price tags yet. At Rs. 5.85 lakh it is nearly Rs 1 lakh cheaper than the 2017 Ford EcoSport and around Rs. 1.5 lakh cheaper than as compared to Duster.

It is also worth noticing that even though Nexon is a brand-new offering from the Indian automaker, both Duster and Ecosport have received recent updates and are the only models which are offered with an option of Automatic transmission.

Tata Nexon’s competitive pricing and impressive specifications clearly make it the ideal “cheap and cheerful choice”. One might argue that Duster’s 110bhp diesel CVT petrol variant, still manage to keep it in the running, but one quick look at EcoSports stats and things become as clear as day and night.

Speaking of automatic transmissions which is something one might seriously want to consider if the primary use of the car will be concentrated around city driving. Ford Ecosport’s Trend At variant is priced at Rs. 9.55 lakh (Ex-Showroom, New Delhi), whereas Duster’s RXS CVT model comes at 10.14 lakh (Ex-Showroom, New Delhi). This in tandem with the fact that Ford EcoSport is the most powerful and most frugal petrol SUV of the three, makes it a clear winner as far as automatic transmission options are concerned.

Ford Ecosport takes the title of ‘the most frugal diesel” as well. his leaves the dated Renault Duster with only its All-Wheel Drive layout and popularity amongst masses, as its saving grace.