After years of anticipation, Renault is bringing back the SUV that started it all, the Renault Duster. The French automaker has officially announced that the new-generation Duster will make its grand India debut on January 26, Republic Day, marking the revival of an icon that once revolutionised the country’s compact SUV landscape.
When it first arrived in 2012, the Duster reshaped Indian car-buying preferences, giving rise to the compact SUV wave that now dominates almost a quarter of the nation’s passenger vehicle market. Four years after its discontinuation, Renault is ready to re-enter the midsize SUV space with a brand-new Duster – larger, more modern, and designed to take the brand into its next growth phase in India.
Interestingly, the Duster’s comeback also carries strategic importance for Renault. It will be the first product under the company’s “International Game Plan 2027”, a part of its broader ‘Renault. Rethink.’ vision that focuses on building a stronger, India-focused lineup. The SUV has already been showcased overseas and has been spotted testing several times on Indian roads, suggesting that its launch preparations are in full swing.
Renault Duster – Exterior Design
In its latest avatar, the next-generation Renault Duster looks nothing like its predecessor – it’s an all-new SUV from the ground up. The design draws heavy inspiration from the Bigster concept, giving it a more imposing and modern stance. At the front, the Duster sports sleek LED headlamps with a distinctive Y-shaped DRL signature, complemented by large air intakes and fog lamps neatly integrated below. A muscular bonnet with sharp creases and scoops enhances the SUV’s bold look, while a chrome-accented front grille adds a touch of sophistication.
From the side, the transformation is even more apparent. The SUV flaunts squared-off wheel arches, dual-tone alloy wheels, and functional roof rails, reinforcing its rugged appeal. A thick band of body cladding runs along the lower section, adding to its off-road-ready character. The rear design features striking V-shaped LED taillamps that continue the Y-shaped lighting theme, a rear skid plate, and an integrated roof spoiler that rounds off its athletic profile.
Renault Duster – Interior Design
Inside, the cabin has been completely redesigned, introducing a more youthful and purposeful layout. The dashboard sports fresh, geometric design elements, with Y-shaped detailing on the AC vents that echo the exterior lighting signature. At the centre sits a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, paired with a 7-inch fully digital instrument cluster. The SUV also packs in a long list of features – including wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, automatic climate control, an Arkamys-tuned 3D sound system, and even ventilated front seats.
Renault Duster – Safety Features
Safety and technology have also seen a major step up, with the Duster now offering ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). Key highlights include automatic emergency braking, vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcycle detection, traffic sign recognition with speed alerts, lane departure warning, lane assist, and a rear parking assistant, among others.
Renault Duster – Powertrain Options
Globally, Renault offers the new Duster with three engine options – a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol mild-hybrid, a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo bi-fuel unit, and a 1.6-litre strong-hybrid petrol engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.2 kWh battery pack. Off-road enthusiasts will appreciate the 4×4 Terrain Control system, which provides five selectable drive modes: Auto, Snow, Mud/Sand, Off-Road, and Eco.
The 4×4 Renault Duster boast an impressive 217 mm ground clearance, with an approach angle of 31° and a departure angle of 36°. It also features hill descent control (active up to 30 km/h), and all off-road telemetry is displayed directly on the infotainment screen – underscoring the Duster’s dual personality as both a family SUV and a capable adventure companion.
Renault Duster – Market Positioning and Rivals
The upcoming Renault Duster will lock horns with established segment leaders such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun in what is arguably one of the most competitive SUV categories today.
Renault’s technical partner in India, Nissan, recently teased its upcoming mid-size SUV, the “Tekton.” The next-generation Renault Duster will be built on the same platform, sharing its core underpinnings and mechanical architecture with the Tekton.