2026 Renault Duster Revealed: Here’s What’s New

Renault India has officially unveiled the third-generation Renault Duster, confirming the return of the SUV to the Indian market after a four-year hiatus. A nameplate that once played a key role in shaping the compact SUV segment, the Renault Duster makes its comeback at a time when the market has evolved significantly in terms of design, technology and buyer expectations.

The new-generation Renault Duster arrives with an entirely fresh exterior design and a reworked platform, while retaining visual and conceptual links to the original model that helped establish its reputation in India. With this latest iteration, Renault aims to combine the familiarity associated with the Duster badge with contemporary styling and updated underpinnings, as it prepares to re-enter one of the most competitive segments in the country. Pre-bookings for the new Duster have opened today, with an advance amount of ₹21,000.

Renault Duster – Exterior Design

The third-generation Renault Duster features an all-new exterior that evolves the design language of the original model, rather than reinventing it entirely. While it retains familiar Duster cues, this version is distinct from the international-spec model, with market-specific styling setting it apart.

At the front, the Renault logo is replaced by bold “Duster” lettering on the grille. The SUV gets LED headlamps with eyebrow-style DRLs, though projector units are not offered. A sculpted bonnet, chunky cladding and a prominent skid plate finished in silver and piano black give the Duster a rugged appearance. In terms of dimension, new Duster also has a length of 4,346 mm, width of 1,815 mm, height of 1,703 mm and wheelbase of 2,657 mm.

In profile, squared-off wheel arches, thick body cladding and rear door handles integrated into the C-pillar contribute to a clean yet muscular look. Roof rails are available, while its SUV credentials are underlined by a 212mm ground clearance, a 26.9 degree approach angle and a 34.7 degree departure angle. At the rear, the Duster features connected LED tail-lamps, Renault’s updated 2D logo, a roof-mounted spoiler and a chunky bumper, completing a design that is more modern while staying true to the Duster name.

Renault Duster – Interior Design and Features

The cabin of the all‑new Renault Duster marks a clear evolution over its predecessor. The dashboard adopts a contemporary layered design, with a driver‑tilted centre console that houses a 10.1 inch touchscreen, paired with a 10.25‑inch digital instrument cluster for driver and vehicle information. Despite the modern touchscreen setup, Renault has retained physical buttons for essential controls.

Comfort‑oriented features take a step up with the inclusion of 6‑way powered adjustment for both the driver and front passenger seats, complete with ventilation. Practicality is further boosted with an electric tailgate. The seats are finished in a leatherette material with yellow stitching and perforations, while the dashboard and door inserts are wrapped in Jade leatherette with carbon accents. Audio duties are handled by a 6 speaker Arkamys sound system.

Renault has also incorporated a built‑in Google Assistant voice feature, enabling intuitive voice control for navigation, media and connected functions. The new Renault Duster also comes with a panoramic sunroof, additionally the Duster also is equipped with a 360 degree camera system. Other notable features include automatic dual-zone air conditioning, a clean air AQI display with PM2.5 filter, electric parking brake with auto-hold, auto-dimming IRVM, wireless charging and puddle lamps.

Renault Duster – Powertrain 

The third-generation Renault Duster offers a lineup of three engines to cater to different buyer preferences. At the forefront is a strong-hybrid petrol powertrain, this setup combines a 109hp 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 49hp electric motor and a 20hp hybrid starter generator (HSG), supported by a 1.4kWh battery.

For those seeking more conventional options, the Duster will also offer a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 163hp and 280Nm, paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), as well as a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine delivering 100hp and 160Nm paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. All variants will be front-wheel drive in India, with no confirmation yet on an all-wheel-drive version, unlike the international-spec Duster which does offer AWD.

Renault Duster – Safety Features 

Renault has equipped the third-generation Duster with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies. The SUV comes with 17 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) features, designed to assist drivers in various road and traffic conditions. It also includes Hill Descent Control for stability on steep slopes. In addition, the Duster comes equipped with all regulation-mandated safety features, including 6 airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, ABS with EBD, and electronic stability control.

Renault Duster – Market Positioning and Rivals 

The new Renault Duster will compete in the mid-size SUV segment, going up against rivals such as the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra, Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun. With the new Renault Duster, the brand aims to reclaim its position in a highly competitive segment that has grown significantly in terms of design, features, and customer expectations over the past few years.

Pre-bookings for the new Duster have opened today with an advance of ₹21,000 under Renault’s R-Pass scheme, allowing customers to secure the SUV ahead of its showroom debut. The car is expected to reach showrooms in March 2026, when official prices will be announced, while deliveries of the turbo petrol variants are slated to begin in April 2026 and the hybrid variants are expected in time for Diwali 2026. Customers who pre-book under the R-Pass scheme will benefit from introductory pricing, priority delivery as well as other brand incentives.