There is a market where the Renault Duster is much more than just a name: it has the stamp of “true legend”. The words are from the executive director of Renault, in India, where the model now arrives reinvented, a symbol of adventure, reliability and innovation, with a modern design, advanced technology and improved performance.
More than a model, the Renault Duster is a symbol, especially in India. Since its global launch in 2010, it has gained almost two million customers around the world, consolidating Renault in the compact SUV market.
In India, where it was later launched in 2012, the Renault Duster started the compact SUV segment (B+). Today, this segment is one of the most dynamic in the local automobile market, representing 14% of passenger car sales in 2025.
According to Stéphane Deblaise, executive director of Renault India, in fact, the Duster, which we got to know up close, "is much more than just a name - it is a true legend".
In that highly competitive market, the Duster sold over 200,000 units, establishing itself as a symbol of freedom and bold thinking, two qualities that are an integral part of the Indian automotive landscape.
Designed to be robust, affordable and enjoyable to drive, the new Duster now arrives as a fully updated new generation vehicle, an icon reinvented by Renault for India as part of its Renault International Game Plan 2027 strategic plan.
Sophisticated, modern and expressive exterior design
Table of Contents
With the new Renault Duster, the brand is reinventing its iconic multifunctional SUV with a sophisticated and elegant design. According to Renault, the new Duster is based on a simple equation: strong style and real functionality.
The elegant adventurer features a muscular body, with strong shoulder lines and generous ground clearance (21.2 cm), allowing it to tackle all types of terrain.
With specially designed SUV features such as underbody protection, front and rear skid plates, flared wheel arches, roof rails and sculpted bumpers, the new Duster is clearly ready for adventure and action, whilst remaining protective.
The emphasis placed on aerodynamics and the perceived quality of the assembly illustrates the evolution of the new Renault Duster towards greater maturity as an SUV.
The 17 or 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels complete a design thought of in every detail.
The new Renault Duster is 4.35 m long, 1.81 m wide and 1.66 m high, making it compact but with generous interior space thanks to its 2.66 m wheelbase.
Meanwhile, the new Renault Duster will be available in six colors at launch: the new exclusive shade Jade Mountain Green, Pearl White, Moonlight Silver, Stealth Black, Sunset Red and River Blue.
Redesigned cabin for greater comfort
The interior design of the new Renault Duster reflects the change of era, with the cabin having been completely redesigned to provide a modern, comfortable and intuitive driving experience.
Built on the updated electronic/electrical architecture of Groupe Renault's new modular platform, the multimedia system includes Google Automotive Services technology.
Users also have access to a full range of integrated Google services, from Google Maps and Google Assistant to the Google Play application catalog.
The Duster's cleanly designed, one-piece horizontal instrument panel features the OpenR dual display. In front of the driver is a multifunction steering wheel.
Measuring 10.25 inches, or 7 inches in entry-level versions, the digital instrument panel brings together all driving information, while a 10.1-inch central touchscreen, one of the largest in its class, manages multimedia and connected functions.
The elevated center console is inspired by top-of-the-range Renault models, including e-Shifter gear control, electric parking brake, induction charger, two USB-C ports, cup holders and a four-liter storage space with refrigeration function.
In addition to multimedia functions, Renault has included a range of connected services with the My Renault smartphone app:
- Remote locking and unlocking;
- Vehicle location in a parking lot and “Find my car” function;
- Share your position with friends and family;
- Maintenance monitoring;
- Real-time theft and location alerts.
More than that, Google's Artificial Intelligence assistant, Gemini, will replace Google Assistant as part of a future update.
The forecast is that Gemini will be available in all Renault cars with OpenR Link with integrated Google services, including those already in circulation, through an over-the-air update.
Engines: efficiency and performance alongside driving pleasure
Built on the Renault Group's new modular platform, already used in the Kardian and Boreal, the new Renault Duster gains a modern technical base developed to improve driving pleasure, comfort and safety.
It also gives access to new generation equipment, including an electric parking brake, for a comfortable and contemporary driving experience.
The E-Tech 160 hybrid engine leads the range
In line with the brand's international strategic plan to electrify one in every three models outside of Europe by 2027, the new Renault Duster will be available a few months after launch with the 160 hp E-Tech full hybrid engine, already present in other Renault models, such as the Captur, Symbioz and the new Clio.
This particularly efficient E-Tech full hybrid engine offers the best compromise between performance and fuel efficiency, according to Renault.
First, it is based on a 1.8-liter (1789 cm3) four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine, which runs on the Atkinson cycle, with a total power of 160 hp (80 kW) at 5750 rpm and a torque of 172 Nm.
It then runs on two electric motors through an intelligent multi-mode gearbox with 15 modes. Finally, the battery has a capacity of 1.4 kWh, operating at 280 V.
When the car is not running in all-electric mode, the system automatically switches between four other modes via the multi-mode gearbox:
- Dynamic hybrid: the internal combustion engine and electric motors drive the wheels together.
- Electric movement: the electric motor drives the wheels, while the internal combustion engine charges the battery.
- ICE: only the gasoline engine drives the wheels.
- Recovery of energy: the electric motor regenerates the battery during deceleration.
In daily use, the new Renault Duster can be driven in all-electric mode for up to 80% of the time in the city, reducing fuel consumption by up to 40% compared to a classic combustion engine.
With this powertrain, the new Renault Duster has a total range of up to 1000 km.
But gotta powertrains
The new Renault Duster also comes equipped with the Turbo TCe 100, a three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with multipoint injection and a capacity of 999 cm3.
Maximum power is 100 hp (74 kW) at 5000 rpm, with 160 Nm of torque available between 2800 and 3600 rpm. It is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Particularly smooth and pleasant to drive in the city, this engine offers excellent fuel efficiency.
In addition to this, the Turbo TCe 160, a four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with direct injection and a cylinder capacity of 1333 cm3.
Power is 160 hp (119.7 kW) at 5250 rpm. It has a generous torque of 280 Nm from 2000 rpm. This engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed DCT dual-clutch gearbox.
Safe and confident driving
Since safety is a crucial aspect in India, Renault decided to equip the Duster with features that reflect Renault's Human First Program and the real needs of the Indian market.
Packed with technology, the new Renault Duster is equipped with a complete set of 17 driving assistance systems (ADAS), a first for the range.
Organized around three main pillars - driving, parking and safety - this technological line puts the new Renault Duster at the level of the best in the upper segment.
Among the various aids, the following stand out:
-
- Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go;
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) function;
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW) function;
- System with 360° camera with panoramic view, front, rear and side parking sensors, and dynamic 3D view on the central screen;
- Side Protection;
- Automatic emergency braking (AEB);
- Blind Spot Warning (BSW);
- Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR);
- Driver drowsiness and attention monitoring (DDAW).
Each system can be customized from the central screen or the “My Safety Switch” button, allowing drivers to adjust the aids to their preferences. Functions are automatically reactivated upon startup.
Previously reserved for higher-end vehicles, these features make the new Renault Duster a modern and safe SUV.
