Renault Duster unveiled in India, pre-bookings open

Renault Duster has made a comeback in India. The midsize SUV was first launched in the country back in 2012 and discontinued a decade down the line. Four years later, the SUV is back with a bang, ready to compete in a cutthroat market with its 3 engine options. Renault has started accepting pre-bookings for a token amount of Rs 21,000. Prices will be announced in March 2026.

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Renault Duster: Everything you need to know

The 2026 Renault Duster stands at dimensions of 4,343mm x 1,813mm x 1,659mm and has a 2,657mm wheelbase. The India-spec model of the SUV features sleek LED headlamps integrated with eyebrow-shaped LED DRLs. The grille connecting the two headlamps contains the ‘DUSTER’ lettering instead of the Renault logo. The bumper has a silver frame which is flanked on either side by vertically-stacked fog lamps.

The profile of the SUV reveals black cladding along the wheel arches and the bottom section. The 18-inch alloy wheels have an all-black look. The rear door handles are positioned on the C pillar. The roof rails have a black finish. At the back, the LED tail lamps are connected by a light bar. This light bar is not present on the international model. The spoiler is mounted on the roof. The number plate has a textured finish.

The 2026 Duster comes in 6 paint shades – Jade Mountain Green, Pearl White, Moonlight Silver, Stealth Black, Sunset Red and River Blue. The Jade Mountain Green variant is inspired by the Himalayan forest and comes with special motifs on the front fenders and yellow inserts on the lower body cladding.

Inside, the India-spec Duster flaunts a completely new dashboard layout. The soft-touch materials and premium trims elevate the cabin feel of the SUV. The twin display setup on the dashboard comprises a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. There is support for wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other features include dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, ventilated front seats, and more.

On the safety front, the Duster packs features like 6 airbags, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and more. It is equipped with a Level 2 ADAS package, becoming the first Renault car in India to offer this feature.

At the time of launch, the Renault Duster will be made available with 2 engine options. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine generates a maximum power output of 100hp and 160Nm of torque. It can be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission only. The 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 163hp and 280Nm. It can be linked to a 6-speed manual or DCT gearbox.

By Diwali, Renault will introduce a strong hybrid 109hp 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine linked to a 49hp electric motor and a 20hp HSG. There will be a 1.4kWh (280V) battery onboard. The total engine output will be 160hp and 172Nm.

Stéphane Deblaise, CEO, Renault India, said, “In India, Renault Duster is far more than just a name – it is a true legend. A symbol of adventure, reliability, and innovation, its return reflects our commitment to the Indian market and our intention to offer vehicles designed and engineered to meet our customers’ needs. New Renault Duster builds on its iconic legacy while embracing modern design, advanced technology, and enhanced performance.”

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Final Thoughts

As mentioned earlier, Renault will announce the variant list and prices for the Duster in March 2026. We expect its prices to start at Rs 10 lakh. The delivery rollout will commence in April. Upon launch, the Duster will rival the Tata Sierra, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser HyRyder, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq, and Honda Elevate in India.