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Renault has unveiled the 2026 Duster for the Indian market — a bolder, more premium take on the familiar crossover that adds a hybrid powertrain, upgraded cabin and several India-specific styling tweaks. It’s designed to stand out in a crowded compact-SUV segment while leaning on local production and parts sourcing.
Exterior tweaks give the Duster a tougher stance
At first glance the new Duster keeps the silhouette you know, but details have been reworked to suit Indian tastes. The Y-shaped lighting in global models has been replaced by a cleaner LED layout. A prominent DUSTER badge sprawls across the grille, and the front bumper now sports a large aluminium skid plate and wider air intakes for a more aggressive look.
Along the sides, Renault replaced the plain plastic door cladding with stylized flaps featuring the Renault logo and added a vertical slot to the D-pillar for a distinctive profile cue. The rear keeps the triangular taillight shape but adds smoked lenses and a new LED strip on the tailgate for a modern finish.
A cabin lifted to near-premium levels
While the outside feels like a focused facelift, the interior is largely new. Renault remodeled the dashboard with higher-quality materials and a cleaner center console. Soft-touch faux leather, ambient lighting and redesigned air vents all contribute to a more upscale ambience.
On the tech front, the Duster gets a 10.1" touchscreen and a 10.25" digital instrument cluster, both neatly integrated into the dash. The infotainment supports Google services, voice control and native navigation — features buyers now expect. Comfort items include a panoramic sunroof, Arkamys audio, ventilated power seats and an electric tailgate.
Powertrain lineup: three FWD choices, including a hybrid
Built on Renault’s CMF-B platform, the Indian-market Duster arrives with three front-wheel-drive powertrains:
- 1.0-liter turbo three-cylinder — 99 hp, 6-speed manual (base).
- 1.3-liter turbo four-cylinder — 158 hp, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic.
- Hybrid system — a 1.8-liter petrol engine paired with two electric motors, combining for 158 hp.
Notably absent is all-wheel drive: unlike some European variants, the India-spec Duster will be FWD-only, which could temper its appeal for off-road enthusiasts.
Safety, pricing and production details
Safety comes up big: six airbags and a full suite of driver-assist systems are standard, marking a significant step up from lower-tier Dacia-derived models. Renault has opened pre-sales, but official pricing has not yet been announced.
The new Duster is manufactured at Renault’s Chennai plant, and the company says roughly 90% of parts are sourced locally — a move that should help cost control and parts availability in India.
Who’s the competition?
In India the refreshed Duster will square off against the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Volkswagen Taigun — all strong contenders in the compact-SUV class. Renault’s strategy appears to be combining a rugged look with richer materials and a hybrid option to carve out space among these popular rivals.
Want comfort and tech with a dose of hybrid efficiency? The 2026 Duster looks like Renault’s attempt to answer that demand — provided buyers accept the FWD-only drivetrain. Pre-sales are live; expect full pricing soon.
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