After being revealed on January 26, Renault India has finally confirmed that the new-gen Duster will launch on March 17, 2026, in India, marking the mid-size SUV’s comeback after being discontinued in 2022. The brand has big hopes for the new Duster as it aims to strengthen Renault’s presence in the highly mid-size SUV segment.
2026 Renault Duster – Engine Options
- Renault will offer the Duster with three powertrain options, comprising two turbocharged petrol and one strong-hybrid unit.
- The turbocharged units include a 100PS 1-litre unit from the Kige and the segment’s most powerful 163PS 1.3-litre unit. While a 6-speed manual gearbox will be standard, the bigger displacement mill will also benefit from a 6-speed DCT automatic transmission.
- The third engine option will abe 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine mated to an E-tech strong-hybrid system featuring two motors – a 49hp electric motor and a 20hp hybrid starter generator, powered by a 1.4kWh (280V) battery. The combined system output is rated at 160PS.
| Specification | 1-litre Turbo Petrol | 1.3-litre Turbo-petrol | 1.8-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol with E-tech strong-hybrid system |
| No of Cylinders | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Max Power | 100PS | 163PS | 162PS (Combined) |
| Peak Torque | 160Nm | 280Nm | 172Nm (Combined) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual and 6-speed DCT | 8-speed DHT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD |
*DCT: Dual-clutch transmission, DHT: Dedicated Hybrid Transmission
Worth Reading: Don’t Book 2026 Renault Duster Before Checking These Details
Renault Duster – Design and Features
The Indian-spec Renault Duster looks largely similar to the version sold in international markets, albeit with some minor design tweaks and a host of additional features that are not offered in the European version. These include: –
- Differently designed alloys
- Connected tail lamps setup
- Powered tailgate
- Panoramic sunroof
- Differently designed interior layout with twin-connected displays
- 10.25-inch digital driver’s display
- 6-way powered front seats with ventilation function
- Auto-dimming IRVM
The other notable features include roof rails with 50kg load-bearing capacity, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, 10.1-inch touchscreen with Google OS integration, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charger, dual-zone climate control, rear AC vents, powered tailgate, six airbags, 360-degree camera, front & rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitor, electronic parking brakes with auto-hold and level-2 ADAS suite.
Renault Duster – Dimensions
Riding on up to 18-inch alloy wheels, the new Renault Duster boasts a strong 212mm ground clearance, along with an approach angle of 26.9 degrees and a departure angle of 34.7 degrees, making it capable of handling the rough terrains and steep inclines with ease. It also has the segment’s best boot space of 700 litres.
Price, Bookings and Competition Check
Bookings for the new Duster are already underway, while deliveries will start in April 2026. We expect it to be priced between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom), positioning it against the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Victoris & Grand Vitara, Tata Sierra, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun, MG Astor and Honda Elevate.
