Renault has officially unveiled the third-generation Duster in India on Republic Day, marking the comeback of one of the country’s most beloved mid-segment SUVs after its discontinuation in 2022. Pre-bookings for the new Duster are now open for Rs 21,000, with official prices to be announced in March 2026. Deliveries of the turbo-petrol variants are scheduled to begin in April, followed by the strong-hybrid model before Diwali later this year.
The India-spec Duster, which is based on the global 3rd Gen Duster, retains the rugged, go-anywhere DNA of its predecessors while adopting a refreshed, modern design tailored to local preferences. It features distinctive eyebrow-shaped LED DRLs that double as turn indicators, a unique grille with the Duster badge, pixel-shaped fog lamps, black body cladding, functional roof rails (rated for 50kg load), 18-inch black alloy wheels, and connected LED taillights with a light bar at the rear.Â
The new Duster’s key dimensions include a 2657mm wheelbase, 1813mm width, 1659mm height, 212mm ground clearance, and 518 litres of boot space (up to the parcel shelf).
2026 Renault Duster powertrain lineup
The new Duster offers three powertrain options, all petrol-based with no diesel or AWD (all-wheel drive) availability in this generation:
– 1.0-litre turbo-petrol (100hp, 160Nm) paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
– 1.3-litre turbo-petrol (163hp, 280Nm) mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT).
– A 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (109hp) combined with a 49hp electric motor and 20hp hybrid starter generator (HSG), supported by a 1.4kWh (280V) battery for improved efficiency and performance.
This hybrid engine setup positions the Duster as a direct rival to strong-hybrid midsize SUVs like Grand Vitara and Victoris from Maruti Suzuki and Toyota’s Urban Cruiser Hyrider.
Renault Duster interiors, features and safety
Inside the Duster, the cabin focuses on a premium feel with leatherette upholstery on seats, dashboard, and door panels, black finish with green accents and stitching, a driver-focused layout, a 3-spoke steering wheel, Y-shaped chrome AC vents, and a slide-adjustable front armrest with storage.
Since the Duster is coming in a highly competitive segment, it gets a 10.1-inch freestanding touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, powered tailgate, and 6-way powered and ventilated front seats.
Safety is a major consideration here too. Renault is offering a package of six airbags as standard, a 360-degree camera, front/rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), electronic parking brake, disc brakes on all wheels, and a Level-2 ADAS suite—the first in any Renault model sold in India.
Renault Duster 2026 India price
While prices of the new Duster will be revealed in March, industry estimates place the 2026 Duster in the Rs 10-20 lakh ex-showroom range, making it a strong contender in the midsize SUV segment against the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, and others.
