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The base Yeti (4X2, 110bhp) is a tad quicker than the Duster. It does 0-100 in about 11.76s compared to the duster's 11.88s. This data is from Autocar. And, the turbo-lag is lesser in the Yeti and the roll-on times are better.
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The base Yeti in Britain is the 1.2 TSI petrol. It gives 0-100kph in 11.8 seconds, which is practically identical to the 110 Diesel Duster. But because the Duster is a Diesel the torque is better so in real world driving it is faster. It also saves about £30 a year in road tax. Also, the Duster is more than 10mpg (sorry to mix units) more economical across the board. I don't know about turbo lag, but no Eurpean review I have read has mentioned it in the Duster 110, perhaps the tweaks we have to comply with emission regulations and the fitment of the DPF make for a different torque curve? Anyway, all turbo Diesels have some degree of lag and it can easily be driven around once you get the hang of it.
I know this is comparing petrol with Diesel, but I am talking of the lowest priced Yeti against the top Duster (2x4). In this case the Yeti costs £250 more. Not much, but to get the equivalent base Diesel Yeti 1.6 costs over £4000 more. This is significant. And I don't want a petrol car if I buy in this segment: in a small car, yes
Not many people will buy the petrol Duster in britain because it is thisty and comes only in the very lowest spec car: white only (which I happen to like)
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, no A/C, no radio, no electric windows anywhere, no adjustable drivers seat, no painted bumpers or alloys, which also appeals to me actually, and a single backed rear seatback rather than a split one as in the other models.
I know that india doesn't get a split back seat either, but it does get a central armrest instead. In Europe most people prefer the versatility of the split seat because boot and general load carrying versatility matter here. Most of us prefer luggage space to rear seat room too, which seems to be the opposite of India. In fact here the Duster is considered to have good rear seat room, and that's how I found it too. I'm over six feet tall and I was comfortable sitting 'behind myself', so to speak.
I have read here of people carrying four people on the back seat of the Duster. This would be totally illegal here as it is forbidden to carry more than the number of seatbelts, and passengers must be belted at all times. So the Duster is a five seater: period.
Incidentally, the Yeti has less boot space than the Duster, if this matters. The Duster is definitley more utilitarian than the Yeti but I'll bet it will prove to be just as robust over time. For me the initial price of the Duster, running costs, suspension quality and comfort swing it for me. But the Yeti might be a better drive, I can't say because I haven't driven a Duster yet.
Let's wait and see.
I'd like to have a basic Diesel Duster 110, without alloys, without painted bumpers, without electric rear view mirrors, but with a split rear seat and A/C, oh, and the essential adjustable driving seat. But I can't have that combination in Britain, unfortunately, so to get A/C the top spec Laureate it has to be: pity.
And re the Ecosport. I don't know about the quality of the plastics (they are fine in the Duster as far as I am concerned by the way, nothing squidgy but perfectly serviceable) but it has a hideous overstyled dashboard, wheres the Duster's is rather smart, and the ride is, according to the reviews I have read, awful, and will need sorting before they introduce it to the UK market. Ditto India expect.
Choosing a new car was never easy, and the perfect car just doesn't exist. All we can hope for is the best compromise for our needs.