Renault Scala CVT automatic prices announced: Keeping up with competition

Renault has just announced prices for the new Renault Scala CVT automatic. The mid-variant Renault Scala RXL CVT is priced at Rs. 8.99 lakh ex-showroom Delhi, while the top-end RXZ CVT is priced at Rs. 9.89 lakh.

A few days ago we brought you news of the new Renault Scala CVT automatic and followed it up with a detailed road test of the car and a video review. At that point of time we estimated that the Renault Scala would be about Rs. 60,000 more than the manual, but we were wrong! The Renault Scala CVT has been priced a whole Rs. 1.14 lakh more than its manual transmission counterpart, when you compare the RXL petrol manual and CVT variants. Also read: Renault Scala CVT automatic road test and review

The RXZ CVT petrol automatic is now the most expensive variant in the Renault Scala line up, priced about Rs. 32,000 more than the diesel RXZ manual, which was so far the top-end Scala available. Also read: Renault Scala automatic launched in 2 variants

So how does the Renault Scala CVT automatic fare against the competition? Let’s take a look at its pricing vis-à-vis its competitors.

Renault Scala CVT vs Ford Fiesta automatic

When you compare the Renault Scala CVT and the Ford Fiesta automatic variants, the Ford Fiesta is still slightly more expensive than the Renault Scala. The Ford Fiesta Style AT is priced at Rs. 9.23 lakh, about Rs. 24,000 more than the Renault Scala CVT, while the top-end Ford Fiesta Titanium Plus AT is priced at Rs. 9.96 lakh, just Rs. 7000 more than the Renault Scala. However, the Ford Fiesta is much better value for money – with its dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission being a lot more fun to drive than the Scala CVT. The Renault Scala CVT claims to offer more mileage at 17.97 kmpl, compared to 16.97 for the Ford Fiesta AT, but in real world conditions, they would both be in the same range. Also see: Ford Fiesta automatic video review

Renault Scala CVT vs Honda City

If you look at the pricing of the Renault Scala CVT against the Honda City’s automatic variants, the Renault Scala is again pretty competitive. The Honda City S-AT, which is the mid-variant automatic, is priced at Rs. 9.22 lakh ex-showroom Delhi, about Rs. 23,000 more than the mid-variant Renault Scala, while the top-end Honda City V-AT (without sunroof) is priced at Rs. 9.75 lakh, slightly lower than the Scala CVT. The Honda City with sunroof is at Rs. 10.53 lakh, way more than the Renault Scala. Also see: Honda City automatic video review

Renault Scala CVT vs Hyundai Verna

Things get very interesting when you compare the Renault Scala CVT with the Hyundai Verna automatic variants. Hyundai is the only manufacturer to offer a diesel automatic – in two variants, with the Hyundai Verna 1.6 CRDi EX AT priced at Rs. 10.12 lakh and Hyundai Verna 1.6 CRDI SX (O) AT priced at Rs. 11.30 lakh. That makes for an interesting dilemma for buyers as a diesel engine with an automatic is just Rs. 13,000 more than the Renault Scala CVT petrol. Also see: Hyundai Verna video review

If you compare the petrol variant of the Hyundai Verna, the 1.6 SX (O) AT is priced at Rs. 9.96 lakh, at a par with Ford’s Fiesta and slightly more than the Renault Scala. But the Hyundai Verna AT is a four-speed conventional automatic and is not fun to drive, although the car is loaded with features.

Renault Scala CVT vs Skoda Rapid

The Renault Scala CVT doesn’t stand much of a chance when compared with the Skoda Rapid. The Rapid too has a six-speed automatic gearbox, offered in three petrol variants – the Skoda Rapid Ambition 1.6 AT priced at Rs. 8.43 lakh, the Skoda Rapid Ambition AT Plus priced at Rs. 8.74 lakh and the Skoda Rapid Elegance 1.6 AT priced at Rs. 9.38 lakh. The Skoda Rapid automatic is one of the most value-for-money automatics in the mid-size segment, and it is priced lower than the Renault Scala CVT variant for variant. Also read: Pros and cons of Skoda Rapid

So will the Renault Scala CVT shake things up in the market? We don’t think so, because the difference in pricing vis-à-vis its competitors isn’t much, and there’s no big differentiator in terms of performance that would really pull buyers toward the brand. Still, it stands a fighting chance in the small world of automatics! Also see: Renault Scala CVT video review