The all new generation of the Renault Duster is set to be launched in India tomorrow. The SUV marks the return of the Duster nameplate in the Indian market after a gap of four years. The Duster was once a dominant product in the mid size SUV category and played a major role in establishing the segment in India.
The third generation Duster was first unveiled in January 2026. Since then Renault has opened pre bookings for the SUV with an advance amount of ₹21,000. The upcoming launch marks an important step for Renault as the brand aims to strengthen its presence in the competitive SUV market.
Renault Duster – Exterior Design
The third generation Duster features a completely new exterior design which marks a major departure from its predecessor. While the overall styling is fresh, the SUV still retains certain iconic Duster design elements that long time fans will recognize.
The India specification version of the Duster is also visually different from the versions sold in several international markets. At the front the SUV features bold Duster lettering positioned within the grille instead of the traditional Renault diamond logo. The front fascia is equipped with LED headlamps along with eyebrow shaped daytime running lamps. However projector headlamp units are not offered.
The bonnet features strong sculpting with muscular chiselled lines that enhance the SUV character. The front bumper includes chunky body cladding along with a silver finished skid plate which adds to the rugged appearance. In terms of size the new Duster measures 4346 mm in length, 1815 mm in width, and 1703 mm in height. The wheelbase stands at 2657 mm which should contribute to improved cabin space. The SUV also features strong square wheel arches which give it a robust stance.
Another notable design element is the placement of the rear door handles within the C pillar. This design choice gives the side profile a cleaner and more modern appearance. The Duster also offers impressive off road related figures including a ground clearance of 212 mm. The approach angle stands at 26.9 degrees while the departure angle is rated at 34.7 degrees. At the rear the SUV gets a connected tail lamp design along with a two dimensional Renault logo. Duster badging is positioned on the lower section of the boot lid.
Renault Duster – Interior Design and Features
Inside the cabin the third generation Duster offers a significantly more premium environment compared with the earlier model. The dashboard layout appears modern and functional with a focus on practicality. The SUV comes equipped with a 10.1 inch touchscreen infotainment system paired with a 10.25 inch TFT instrument cluster that displays driver information. Despite the digital setup Renault has retained physical buttons for essential vehicle controls as well as heating and ventilation controls.
The steering wheel is leather wrapped and features yellow contrast stitching along with integrated control buttons. The dashboard and door inserts feature jade leather finish along with carbon fibre accents. The Duster also offers six way power adjustable driver and co driver seats along with seat ventilation. Additional comfort features include an electric tailgate, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. The panoramic sunroof is particularly notable because the global specification Duster offers only a single pane sunroof. India becomes the first market to receive the larger panoramic unit.
Other features include a 360 degree camera system, dual zone automatic climate control, a cleaner air display with PM2.5 filter, electronic parking brake with auto hold function, auto dimming IRVM, wireless charging pad, puddle lamps, and a six speaker Arkamys sound system. The SUV also includes Google built in assistant support for voice commands, navigation, and media control along with connected car technology.
Renault Duster – Powertrain Options and Safety Features
The upcoming Duster will be offered with three powertrain options. The entry level engine is a 1 litre turbo petrol unit producing 100 horsepower and 160 Nm of torque. This engine will be paired with a six speed manual transmission. The second option is a 1.3 litre turbo petrol engine that produces 163 horsepower and 280 Nm of torque. This engine will be offered with a six speed automatic transmission.
The top engine option is a 1.8 litre four cylinder petrol engine paired with a hybrid system. The petrol engine produces 109 horsepower while the electric motor provides an additional 49 horsepower. The setup also includes a 20 horsepower hybrid starter generator supported by a 1.4 kWh battery pack.
On the safety front the Duster is equipped with seventeen advanced driver assistance features including adaptive cruise control and hill descent control. It also includes standard safety equipment such as six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
Renault Duster – Expected Price and Rivals
The new Duster is expected to be priced between ₹9 lakh and ₹10 lakh for the base variants. Prices could extend up to around ₹19 lakh or ₹20 lakh for the top hybrid variant. Renault had also confirmed during the January 2026 unveiling that deliveries for the 1 litre and 1.3 litre turbo petrol versions will begin from April 2026. Deliveries for the hybrid variant are expected around the festive season during Diwali 2026.
The company has also introduced the R Pass early customer program which offers benefits such as introductory pricing and priority deliveries. Once launched the Duster will compete with established models such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Tata Sierra, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, Honda Elevate, and Volkswagen Taigun in the highly competitive mid size SUV segment that the Duster originally helped create in India in 2013.