New Renault Duster Spied in India! Spy Shots Hint at India-Spec Updates
The new Renault Duster is confirmed to return to India in 2026, bringing updated design, added technology and a range of petrol engine options.
By Divyam Dubey
The Renault Duster looks set to make its India return, and for many car fans, this feels like an old favourite warming up for a fresh lap. Renault is expected to reintroduce the Duster with its third-generation model, with a launch planned for January 26, 2026. The SUV has been missing from the Indian line-up for sometime, and recent spy images suggest things are finally moving again. Test mules spotted on Indian roads point towards market-specific changes, rather than a straight global copy.
Also Read: Upcoming Cars in India in 2026: New Kia Seltos, Mahindra XUV 7XO, Renault Duster, and More
Production is slated for Renault’s Oragadam facility near Chennai, which hints at local focus and volume plans. If things go as expected, the Duster could slot back into a space it once knew well.
New Renault Duster: Design
Design-wise, the spy shots give us the clearest picture yet of what the new Duster will look like. The front end shows LED daytime running lamps built into the headlight units, giving the SUV a more modern face. A camera module on the front fascia suggests a 360-degree camera setup, while the bumper features multiple air intake slits below the grille. Vertical grille slats and 17-inch alloy wheels are also visible. Overall, the shape and proportions stay familiar, which should appeal to buyers who liked the Duster’s straightforward SUV stance in the first place.
Beyond design, the hardware seen on test cars hints at a big tech step-up. A radar sensor on the windscreen confirms that Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are on the cards, which would make this the first Renault in India to offer ADAS. Other visible elements include a sunroof, likely panoramic, LED puddle lamps and ORVMs with integrated turn indicators. If these features make it to production, the Duster would finally tick boxes that buyers in this segment now expect as standard.
The side profile remains recognisable, with rear door handles mounted on the C-pillar, roof rails and body cladding around the wheel arches. At the rear, wraparound taillamps connected by an LED strip, a roof spoiler and a rear wiper can be seen on the test vehicles.
Inside, the cabin is expected to follow the international version. Likely highlights include a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch digital driver display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control and ventilated front seats on higher variants.
New Renault Duster: Engine
Under the bonnet, the India-spec Duster is expected to launch with petrol engines. Renault may offer a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol producing 156bhp and a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol unit sourced from the Kiger range. A strong-hybrid version could follow roughly a year later. Gearbox options are likely to include manual, CVT and dual-clutch automatic units.
Pricing is expected to fall between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh, putting it up against rivals such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Tata Sierra, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun.
