Renault India has finally revealed the new Duster, one of the most important models for the brand here. The next-generation midsize SUV gets new powertrains, several feature upgrades and design changes, and upon launch, it will take on the likes of popular nameplates such as the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder and Tata Sierra. Below, we’ve rounded up and answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the Renault Duster from our readers.
When will the new Renault Duster launch in India?
Price announcement by mid-March
The prices for the Duster will be revealed by mid-March, followed by the commencement of deliveries of turbo variants in mid-April. The wait for hybrid variants will be longer as deliveries will start only around Diwali. Those making pre-bookings, which began on January 26, 2026, for a token amount of Rs 21,000, will benefit from a special introductory price and priority delivery.
Has a diesel engine option been reintroduced with the new Renault Duster?
Turbo-petrol and hybrid choices only
Renault discontinued the previous Duster’s 1.5-litre K9K diesel engine in 2020, when stricter BS6 emission norms kicked in, leaving it with just the naturally aspirated and turbo-petrol choices until the end of production in 2022. While a diesel and a naturally aspirated petrol option are still missing from the line-up, a strong-hybrid powertrain has been provided for the first time with the Duster here. This makes the new Duster the fourth midsize SUV after the Maruti Grand Vitara, Maruti Victoris and Toyota Hyryder to offer a hybrid powertrain.
How does the E-Tech hybrid system of the Renault Duster work?
Series-parallel setup
The 2026 Duster’s E-Tech series parallel hybrid system features an Atkinson cycle-based naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 49hp electric motor and a 20hp integrated starter generator (ISG), sourcing power from a 1.4kWh battery. It uses an 8-speed multi-mode automatic transmission with fixed gear ratios, capable of shifting between them. Four of these modes include:
• Dynamic hybrid: Internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric drive combined.
• Electric motion: The electric motor drives the wheels, while the ICE charges the battery.
• ICE: The petrol engine alone drives the wheels.
• Energy recovery: The e-motor regenerates the battery during deceleration.
The E-Tech system is already offered on models such as the Captur, Symbioz and the new Clio in international markets.
Does the 2026 Renault Duster get all-wheel drive?
FWD only
The first-generation Duster got an all-wheel-drive option with the diesel engine, which, as mentioned earlier, hasn’t been reintroduced. In its current form, it is available with two turbo-petrol options – a 100hp, 160Nm 1-litre 3-cylinder and a 160hp, 280Nm 1.3-litre 4-cylinder – as well as a 160hp, 172Nm petrol-hybrid powertrain. A 6-speed manual gearbox is common to both turbocharged engines, but the more powerful unit can also be mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Notably, the India-spec Duster line-up is exclusively available in a front-wheel-drive layout.
What is the Renault Duster’s crash test safety rating?
Platform engineered for 5-star safety rating
While an official Global NCAP/Bharat NCAP crash-test safety assessment rating has yet to be announced, V Vikraman, chief of engineering at Renault India, stated that the Duster’s Renault Group Modular (RGM) platform is engineered for 5-star safety standards. Furthermore, the new Duster is the first Renault car in India to get an ADAS suite.
Are there any differences between India and Europe-spec Dusters?
Design changes
To suit local tastes, Renault has made slight changes to the Indian model. These include redesigned headlights with eyebrow-shaped LED daytime running lamps (DRLs) that double as turn indicators. The front bumper gets a slightly tweaked silver surround, Himalayan motifs on the front fenders, and a yellow strip on the door cladding reading ‘Iconic’. At the rear, triangular tail-lights are joined by an LED light bar (absent on the global model), and the bumper design is also new. The India-spec Duster also gets a different dashboard and a driver-focused screen setup.
How much is the Renault Duster’s boot space?
518-700 litres
Renault quotes boot capacities of 518 litres (up to the parcel shelf) and 700 litres (up to the roof) for the Duster. It can be increased to 1,789 litres upon folding the 60-40 split rear seats.