The mid-size SUV segment is about to get a serious shake-up. With the 2026 Renault Duster gearing up for its return, buyers now have more choices than ever, from proven bestsellers like the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta to fresh contenders such as the Tata Sierra.
On paper, the new Duster looks ready to punch above its weight, offering standout ground clearance, the biggest boot in the class, and a segment-leading turbo-petrol engine. Add aggressive expected pricing into the mix, and the Duster could well redefine what value means in this fiercely competitive space.
Also Read: The Wait Is Over: 6 Things About The 2026 Renault Duster That You Must Know
2026 Renault Duster vs. Competition: Key Specifications
| 2026 Renault Duster | 2026 Skoda Kushaq | 2026 Tata Sierra | 2026 Kia Seltos | Maruti Suzuki Victoris | Hyundai Creta | |
| Dimensions | 4346 x 1815 x 1656 mm | 4225 x 1760 x 1612 mm | 4340 x 1814 x 1715 mm | 4460 x 1830 x 1635 mm | 4360 x 1795 x 1655 mm | 4330 x 1790 x 1635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2657 mm | 2651 mm | 2730 mm | 2690 mm | 2600 mm | 2610 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 212 mm | 188 mm | 205 mm | 200 mm | 210 mm | 190 mm |
| Boot Capacity | ~ 500L | 491L (till roof) | 450L | 447L | 439L | 433L |
| Petrol Engine (NA) | – | – | 1.5L 4-Cyl (1498 cc); 106 PS, 145 Nm | 1.5L 4-Cyl (1497cc): 115 PS / 144 Nm | 1.5L 4-Cyl (1462cc); 102 bhp, 139 Nm | 1.5L 4-Cyl (1497cc); 115 hp, 144 Nm |
| Petrol Strong Hybrid | 1.8L 4-Cyl (1789cc); 160 bhp | – | – | – | 1.5L 4-Cyl (1490cc); 114 bhp, 122 Nm | – |
| Petrol Engine (1.0L Turbo) | 1.0L TCe 3-Cyl (999cc); 99 bhp, 160 Nm | 1.0L TSI 3-Cyl (999cc); 115 hp, 178 Nm | – | – | – | – |
| Petrol Engine (Turbo) | 1.3L TCe 4-Cyl (1333cc); 161 bhp, 280 Nm | 1.5L TSI 4-Cyl (1498cc); 150 hp, 250 Nm | 1.5-litre (4-Cyl, TGDi); 160 PS, 255 Nm | 1.5L 4-Cyl (1482cc); 160 hp, 253 Nm | – | 1.5L 4-Cyl (1482cc); 160 hp, 253 Nm |
| Diesel Engine | – | – | 1.5-litre (4-Cyl); 118 PS, 260 Nm (M) / 280 Nm (A) | 1.5L 4-Cyl (1493cc); 116 hp, 250 Nm | – | 1.5L 4-Cyl (1493cc); 116 hp, 250 Nm |
| CNG Engine | – | – | – | – | 1.5L 4-Cyl (1462cc); 87 bhp, 121.5 Nm | – |
| Transmission Options | 1.0L:6-speed manual 1.5L: 6-speed manual, 6-speed DCT Strong Hybrid: 8-step automatic | 1.0L:6-speed manual, 8-speed TC 1.5L: 7-speed DSG | 1.5L NA: 6-speed (M), 7-speed (DCA) 1.5L Turbo: 6-speed TC 1.5L Diesel: 6-speed (M), 6-speed (TC) | 1.5L NA: 6-speed (M), CVT 1.5L Turbo: 6-speed iMT, 7-speed DCT 1.5L Diesel: 6-speed (M), 6-speed (TC) | 1.5L NA: 5-speed (M), 6-speed TC 1.5L Strong Hybrid: e-CVT 1.5L CNG: 5-speed (M) | 1.5L NA: 6-speed (M), CVT 1.5L Turbo: 6-speed iMT, 7-speed DCT 1.5L Diesel: 6-speed (M), 6-speed (TC) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | AWD | FWD |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 50L | 50L | 50L | 50L | 45L | 50L |
| Wheel Size | 215/60 R17, 18-inch | 205/60 R16, 205/55R17 | 215/65 R17, 225/55 R19 | 205/65 R16, 215/60 R17, 215/55 R18 | 215/60 R17 | 205/65 R16, 215/60 R17, 215/55 R18 |
| Airbags | 6 airbags standard | 6 airbags standard | 6 airbags standard | 6 airbags standard | 6 airbags standard | 6 airbags standard |
Also Read: 2026 Skoda Kushaq vs Hyundai Creta: Feature-Rich Challenger Takes on the Segment Leader
2026 Renault Duster vs. Competition: Key Takeaways
Dimensions
- Among all mid-sized SUVs, the 2026 Kia Seltos is the longest (4460 mm), which should result in a larger on-road presence and a more spacious cabin. The Seltos is followed by the Victoris (4360 mm), and then by the Sierra (4340 mm).
- The Seltos is also the widest among competitors (1830 mm), followed by the 2026 Duster (1815 mm) and the Tata Sierra (1814 mm). In other words, you should get the best shoulder room, especially with three passengers in the rear seat, on the Seltos.
- When it comes to height, the Sierra is the tallest vehicle (1715 mm), which should result in quite a lot of headroom. The duster comes in second with 1656 mm, followed by the Victoris at 1655 mm.
- Wheelbase, a dimension that reflects the interior space, especially the legroom for passengers in the second row, is also a key characteristic of a car. Well, it is the Sierra that has the longest wheelbase in this comparison (2730 mm). It is followed by the Seltos (2690 mm) and the Renault Duster (2657 mm).
- The 2026 Duster has the highest ground clearance of the three (212 mm), followed by the Victoris (210 mm) and the Sierra (205 mm).
- Regarding boot space, the Renault Duster offers the largest, around 500 liters, which is larger than the Sierra (450L) and the Seltos (447L).
Also Read: From 110% to 40%: Why European Luxury Cars in India May Soon Cost a Lot Less
Powertrains
- Out of the six cars mentioned here, only four come with a naturally-aspirated petrol engine. Among all, the Seltos and the Creta generate the most power, while the Sierra provides the highest torque (and from a lower RPM range as well).
- Only the Victoris is currently available in a strong hybrid powertrain. Renault will also launch a strong hybrid 1.8L petrol engine later this year (around November 2026), but it isn’t available yet. Hence, for buyers with a higher monthly running (over 2,000 km), the strong hybrid options could make a lot of sense.
- The entry-level Duster comes with a 1.0L turbo petrol engine (99 bhp, 160 Nm), which produces slightly less power and torque than the 1.0L TSI engine (115 hp, 178 Nm) in the 2026 Skoda Kuhshaq.
- However, the Duster’s larger 1.3L turbo petrol engine (161 bhp, 280 Nm) produces more power and torque than all the other 1.5L turbo petrol engines in the segment, including those on the Skoda Kushaq, Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Creta.
- For those who want a diesel powertrain, there’s one on the Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos, and the Hyundai Creta. Among these, the Sierra is the more powerful one.
- Whether it is the NA or the turbo-petrol engine on the base variant, all the cars in this comparison come with a 6-speed manual transmission, except the Victoris, which is still stuck with a 5-speed manual transmission.
- It’s worth noting that the Skoda Kushaq is the only SUV in this segment to offer an 8-speed TC transmission.
- For now, the only AWD option is the Victoris, while all the other competitors are available with a front-wheel-drive drivetrain.
Also Read: 2026 Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella Variants Explained: Which One Should You Buy?
- All the cars have a 50L fuel tank, except for the Victoris, which has a 45L tank (the second aspect where it seems Maruti Suzuki is cutting corners).
- The Sierra comes with the largest 19-inch wheels in the segment, followed by 18-inch wheels on the Duster, Seltos, and Creta. Again, the Victoris offers 17-inch wheels across all its variants.
- Finally, six airbags are standard on all the SUVs.
2026 Renault Duster vs. Competition: Starting Price
| | 2026 Renault Duster | 2026 Skoda Kushaq | 2026 Tata Sierra | 2026 Kia Seltos | Maruti Suzuki Victoris | Hyundai Creta |
| Starting Price | Expected: Rs. 10.25 lakhs (ex-showroom) | Expected: Rs. 10.75 lakhs (ex-showroom) | Rs. 11.49 lakhs (ex-showroom) | Rs. 10.99 lakhs (ex-showroom) | Rs. 10.49 lakhs (ex-showroom) | Rs. 10.79 lakhs (ex-showroom) |
Although Renault hasn’t revealed the pricing for the 2026 Duster, rumors suggest it could start around Rs. 10 lakhs (ex-showroom) for the baseline variant with the 1.0L turbo petrol engine and 6-speed manual transmission.
While we don’t know the exact features the company plans to offer on the base variant, it looks like the Duster could have the most affordable entry point among all the SUVs in the segment.
Renault should reveal the prices in mid-march 2026. Until then, the Victoris remains the most attractive base variant, followed by the Creta, Seltos, and the Sierra (the most expensive baseline trim).
Also Read: Skoda Kushaq vs Tata Sierra vs Kia Seltos: The Most Important Car Comparison Of 2026
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