So the new Renault Duster has finally been unveiled, marking the comeback of the car that started the C-segment SUV trend in India. The 2026 Renault Duster comes on the back of a lot of hype, with initial rumours of the car dating back more than a year ago. With a grand unveil in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on Republic Day, Renault India has bet big on its most popular car in India ever. We were fortunate enough to be invited to the launch even in Chennai and got to experience the new Renault Duster first-hand.
Now, the car has come in the most competitive segment in India, where the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, and the likes dominate the market. However, the Renault Duster brings a fresh and probably the most rugged design in the segment so far. And while the new Duster is based on the global version of the Renault Duster, the French carmaker has updated the new Duster for India specifically. Given that we got to witness the unveiling and experience the Renault Duster in person, here is what I think about the Renault Duster:
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Renault Duster 2026 First Impressions – Design and Styling
Starting with how the Renault Duster looks, the design is more on the rugged side, yet has some modern and compact elements to it. The dimensions are same as the global variant, but we are getting some elements that are specific to India, like the connected tail lamps, the eyebrow-shaped DRLs (global variant has a Y-shaped URL), and slight adjustments to the claddings. The Renault Duster looks good. You may argue that it is smaller than its competitor, but it is easily the most rugged-looking C-segment SUV in the country.
The side profile and the front part of the Renault Duster reminds me a little bit of the new Jeep Avenger, but with more modern and styling elements. I like the big “Duster” lettering in the front which has neon green highlights to it, but the green highlights I believe will only be available in specific variants. Even the side profile is proper off-road SUV like, with the thick claddings and high ground clearance give the new Duster its own distinctive look. I like how the car looks from the side, but the side profile is also what makes the Duster look a bit compact as well.
On the back, things are similar to the global variant, but with touches that would speak to the Indian buyer. The most prominent change here are the connected LED tail lights, which have been added specifically in the Indian version. We are getting the similar C-shaped tail lights, but they are connected with an LED strip here. Here also, the bumper has thick claddings and we are getting the Duster badging with the same neon green highlights. The rear of the car also looks quite aggressive and rugged, but doesn’t appear as appealing or wide as the front of the Renault Duster.
Overall, the design is very good. We are getting something different from the soft roader SUVs in the C-segment. The Duster looks rugged yet modern and compact. It has got the right approach and departure angles, and the ground clearance is good enough to take on the Indian roads pretty easily.
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Renault Duster 2026 – Engine and Powertrain
Now Renault has launched the Duster in two engine options – with a third one coming later this year around Diwali. The two engine available from launch will be a 1.0L turbo turbo petrol engine, and a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine. The 1.3 litre turbo engine will be the most powerful in the segment, producing 163 BHP of power and 280 Nm of torque. This will be mated to either a manual transmission or a 6-speed DCT automatic with wet clutch and e-shift technology.
The strong hybrid option of the Renault Duster will be launched with a 1.8 litre petrol engine supported by an electric motor. This will come with an 8-speed DHT automatic transmission and will have two electric motors that will allow the new Renault Duster to run on pure EV mode for 80% of usage.
The 1.0 litre 3 cylinder engine’s power figures were not disclosed during the launch, but it will be a 3 cylinder turbo charged petrol motor which will come with both – a manual and an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
Renault Duster 2026 – Features and Tech
Coming to the features and tech, this is the one part where the Renault Duster in India offers more than the Renault Duster that is available in the global markets. First and foremost, we are getting a dual-screen setup with a 10.1-inch infotainment display, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Here, the infotainment display comes with built-in Android, which allows users to access Google Maps directly from the infotainment system without plugging in their phone via Android Auto/ Apple CarPlay. The infotainment display is slightly tilted towards the driver, in order to make it easier for them to glance at this display and it can also be shut down with a button on top of the screen.
The instrument cluster, on the other hand, is also very good quality and has some of the smoothest animations and layout in this segment, according to me. The display is big and immersive, and is easy to read and configure. I like how Google Maps looks on this massive display – very immersive and accurate. The digital instrument shows all the necessary information for the driver – speed, drive mode, fuel and range, music, maps, drive modes, ADAS alerts, and more.
Other features on the Renault Duster are level 2 ADAS with 360-degree camera. While the inclusion of the 360-degree camera is most welcome, the quality of it isn’t the best in segment. At least in the cars that were on display during the launch. The Renault Duster will also come with ventilated and electronically adjustable front seats, automatic climate control, electronic parking brakes, a panoramic sunroof, and more such comfort and convenience features.
While there are enough features for all kinds of users, what I really liked about the Duster is that touch controls are only limited to the infotainment display. Everything on the center console is controlled with physical buttons and tactile toggle switches, making this one of the best cabin spaces in this segment.
Renault Duster 2026 – Interiors and Comfort
Inside, the Renault Duster is a nice place to be in. The materials used are really good quality and the fit and finish of everything is really good. This is a nice cabin to be inside. There is a good mix of soft touch and hard plastic panels, like the center console has mostly soft-touch materials but the top of the dashboard or the top door panels are all hard plastic, making it easier to clean and maintain.
The seats are also made of nice materials and feel snug enough to hold you in place while also being super comfortable. The front seats have enough space for even big drivers and have sufficient thigh and lumbar support. The rear seats are also comfortable and are made of good quality materials with sufficient cushioning, but the at the back, the space felt a little less. Yes, the leg room is also not the best in segment, and the back seats are not wide enough to sit three passengers comfortably.
As said above, I like the materials and finish of everything in the cabin. One design detail I really liked was the neon green stitching on leather panels in the doors and the dashboard – gives a nice premium detail to the new Renault Duster. The drive selector also gets a knob-like shape, and the cup holders in the center console are tucked neatly under a sliding cover. Even the steering wheel looks nice – it’s a rounder hexagonal shape, which is different from the competition, but I’m not sure if I like it or not. Here also, we are getting the stitch detailing like on the door and dashboard panels.
Overall, the interiors of the Renault Duster are on the better side of the whole segment. The quality of materials, the fit and finish, and the layout of things is really good and everything falls into place. As mentioned, I like the minimal use of touch controls, but one thing I didn’t like about the cabin is the space in the back seat. The legroom and head room both look tight for taller passengers. Apart from the space in the back, this is a very good interior.
Renault Duster 2026 First Impressions – What We Think
So the Renault Duster is a recipe for success. My first impressions of this car are that it offers something a level above the soft-roaders that are available in the C-segment, but it’s still no off-road car. However, it does look like one. I like the rugged and butch styling the Renault has gone with – it not only stays true to the Duster brand, but also will appeal to buyers who demand something more rugged in this segment.
There are a few things that I didn’t like – for example, the rear of the Renault Duster doesn’t look as appealing as it looks from the front, and the space in the back seats is a little scarce.
But what impact will the Duster have on the most competitive segment in the Indian market? It will definitely have an impact and will gather a lot of attention from potential buyers, especially those who know their cars but at the same time want something practical and city-friendly. The Renault Duster will fill that gap and attract many preivous buyers also at the same time. Even the strong hybrid engine will give people a third (or second) option in this segment over the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. All of this, however, will depend on the pricing. If Renault is able to keep the starting price of the Renault Duster at around 10 lakh and the starting price of the hybrid version under 20 lakh, this is a sure shot recipe for success. As far as rumours go, there is a school of thought that says Renualt might price the Duster starting at under ₹10 lakh. Over to the price announcement.
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