New Renault Duster launched at Rs 10.29 lakh: Should Creta, Seltos be worried?

Renault India today finally launched the new 2026 Renault Duster SUV in the Indian market, with prices starting at Rs 10.29 lakh (ex-showroom). Pre-booking of the new Duster is already going on. Interested customers can book the SUV online or at their nearest dealership. The new Duster has already reached several showrooms across India and is currently on display. Deliveries are expected to begin soon. The SUV will compete with the likes of Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Maruti Victoris, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hayrider, Honda Elevate and others in the highly competitive midsize SUV segment.

The SUV is offered in five variants – Authentic, Evolution, Techno, Techno Plus and Iconic, with prices ranging from Rs 10.29 lakh to Rs 18.09 lakh (both prices ex-showroom). The starting price of Rs 10.29 lakh is applicable for customers who pre-book their cars till March 2026, after which the standard price starts at Rs 10.49 lakh (ex-showroom).powertrainTalking about the engine options first, it is offered with three engine options – a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 100 PS of power and 160 Nm of torque paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The second engine is a 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol with 163 PS of power and 280 Nm of torque paired with a 6-speed DCT or a 6-speed manual. It also has a larger 1.8-litre strong hybrid petrol engine with 109 hp, a 49 hp electric motor and a 20 hp hybrid starter generator (HSG), paired with a 1.4 kWh (280 V) battery. Together, this configuration delivers a combined system output of 160hp and 172Nm.

design Design-wise, Renault has introduced India-specific design changes to the new generation Duster while retaining the overall silhouette of the third-generation global model. The India-spec SUV gets redesigned headlamps with eyebrow-shaped LED daytime running lights that also function as turn indicators. It features a revised grille with prominent Duster badging replacing the Renault logo, as well as a front bumper that uses raised silver surrounds and pixel-style fog lamps.

From the side, the Duster gets black cladding on the wheel arches and lower body, C-pillar-mounted rear door handles and functional roof rails. At the rear, triangular tail-lamps are joined by an LED light bar which is not seen on the global variant. Additional changes include a roof-mounted spoiler, textured license plate housing and a black rear bumper with silver inserts.Interior, Features and SafetyMoving inside, the Duster’s interior has been extensively redesigned for the Indian market. The India-spec version features a completely new dashboard design with a dual-screen layout, soft-touch surfaces and revised trim elements. The cabin makes use of silver accents and contrasting green stitching, a dedicated button panel on the center console, slide-adjustable front armrest with storage and more. Features include a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, a wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, 6-way powered and ventilated front seats, 48-color ambient lighting, keyless entry with push-button start/stop, multi-drive Mods and more.Safety features include six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchorages, 360-degree camera, electric parking brake, disc brakes on all four wheels and Level 2 ADAS features.