A new Renault-badged Duster is coming to India with fresh styling updates and a likely hybrid option
The Dacia Duster has quietly become one of Renault Group’s most dependable global plays, expanding well beyond its Romanian roots to gain traction in emerging markets far from Europe. Now, India is set to receive a new Renault-badged version of the rugged SUV, complete with market-specific styling tweaks that set it apart from the global model.
Buyers in India only had access to the first-generation Duster, which remained on sale from 2012 until it was finally phased out in 2022. The new version, officially confirmed in March 2024, is based on the third-generation SUV and will launch alongside the Nissan Tekton, a close sibling built on the same platform.
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Renault has released a short teaser video of the upcoming Indian Duster, revealing a shape that’s easy to recognize but dressed with some new visual signatures. Most notably, the front end trades the global model’s Y-shaped LEDs for slim daytime running lights, although the headlight enclosures appear to remain unchanged.
Earlier teasers had already shown a new front bumper design, including an upsized skid plate that pushes the SUV’s rugged character a bit further. The rear also takes a different path, with a full-width LED light bar linking the taillights, framing a prominent Renault logo.
The profile has not yet been revealed, but it’s widely expected to carry over without any substantial differences.
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Inside, the cabin layout is expected to mirror other versions of the Duster and the closely-related Nissan Tekton, though trim and finish may vary depending on the market.
Higher trims are likely to offer a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, and a panoramic sunroof, a popular item for Indian buyers that’s becoming something of a must-have in this segment.
According to Autocar India, the new Duster will initially be offered with a gasoline engine, with a self-charging hybrid variant slated to join the lineup within the next year. Technical specs are still under wraps, but the drivetrain mix is expected to follow the playbook of the global model.
Unlike the Turkish-built global version, the Indian-market Renault Duster is expected to be assembled locally at the company’s Chennai plant. The official premiere is scheduled for January 26, and early pricing estimates put the SUV in the Rs 10-20 lakh range, or approximately $11,100 to $22,300.
In India’s competitive midsize SUV space, the Duster will go up against well-established names like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Suzuki Grand Vitara (and its Maruti twin, the Victoris), Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, VW Taigun, MG Astor, and the upcoming Tata Sierra. It’s a tight field, but Renault is clearly aiming for a slice of the high-volume middle with an updated take on a familiar formula.
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Beyond India, the Duster continues to carry the Renault badge in regions where Dacia has little brand recognition. That includes markets like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Latin America, Russia, and the Middle East, where the car’s utilitarian appeal matters more than what badge it wears.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio

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