Both of these contenders were tech-laden, comfortable and spacious, but in the end the Skoda took a narrow victory. While the Hyundai was slightly more spacious with five people on board, the winning Kodiaq offered a broader engine range and was cheaper, but no less well equipped, than its South Korean rival.
November
Dacia Duster takes on MG ZS Hybrid+
In the battle to be king of the budget SUVs, two newcomers – in the shape of the Dacia Duster and MG ZS Hybrid – fought it out in Issue 1,857. With a starting price of less than £19,000, the Duster had the jump on the MG, but the latter was hybrid-only, and with that considered, its £22,000 starting price was around £2,000 less than the electrified Dacia’s.
While these are budget offerings, they are still well equipped, with kit such as front and rear parking sensors, climate control, wireless phone charging and connectivity, and a digital dash as standard on our picks of their respective ranges.
In terms of performance, the MG won the drag race, with a 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds beating the Dacia’s by 1.4 seconds. There was an EV feel to the ZS at low speeds because it used its electric motor so frequently, but the transition to petrol wasn’t very smooth, which spoiled the car’s responses. In contrast, the Duster delivered a more consistent experience, while a softer ride emphasised its focus on comfort – something that was unheard of with past generations of the Romanian SUV.
The Dacia was more efficient on test, returning over 52mpg, although the ZS Hybrid wasn’t far behind at a touch under 49mpg. A bigger fuel tank meant the Duster could travel up to 575 miles between fills, compared with the MG’s range of around 440 miles.
Both offered space for a family, with similar room in the back seats and boots, although the non-hybrid Duster has more capacity due to not having an extra battery under the floor.
In the end, it was the Duster’s all-round ability, rugged looks and no-nonsense nature that saw it edge ahead of the ZS. The MG is still a strong contender, courtesy of its competitive pricing, kit list and family-friendly practicality, but the Duster really is at the top of its game. We’ll have to see if the Dacia can keep its crown once MG introduces other powertrains to the ZS line-up.
Plenty of cars have battled it out, but which one would you like to drive? Tell us in the comments…