Cars

The New Renault Duster: Still Tough, but is That Enough?

The latest Renault Duster is back with a familiar promise, be the SUV that can handle India without fuss. We spent time driving it across everyday roads, broken stretches, and longer runs to see if it still lives up to that reputation.

First Impressions: Back to looking like an SUV

At first glance, the Duster feels like a return to basics, in a good way, retaining the old character. The upright stance, chunky cladding, and squared design give it a proper SUV vibe.

The car doesn’t try too hard to look fancy. Instead, it focuses on looking strong and practical. That works, but it lacks the premium or eye-catching appeal that some rivals now offer.

Cabin: New and Updated

Inside, things are clearly improved. The layout is cleaner and more modern.

Large touchscreen
Digital instrument cluster
Panoramic sunroof

These features bring it up to date. But after spending time inside, the quality feels average. There are a lot of hard plastics with soft-touch materials, and while everything feels solid, the overall quality of the plastics could have been made better.

Ride and Handling: Still its Biggest Strength

On the road, the Duster feels most at home.

We drove it over bad roads, potholes, and uneven surfaces, and it handled them very well. The suspension keeps the car stable and comfortable.

On highways, too, it feels steady and easy to control. It’s not exciting to drive, but it feels safe and predictable, which matters more for most buyers.

Performance: Does the Job

The engine is smooth and easy to use.

Power comes in a steady way
No sudden bursts
Focus is on comfort, not speed

It works well for daily driving. But when pushed, it doesn’t feel very strong or exciting.

Practical Use: Built for Real Life

The Duster still scores well in everyday use.

High ground clearance helps on bad roads

Seats are comfortable for long drives
Cabin space is practical

It feels like a car made for real conditions, not just city use.

Where It Falls Short

There are a few clear drawbacks.

The cabin should have gotten better-quality plastics
The engine feels a bit dull when pushed
Features are good, but not the best in class

We faced a brief tech glitch as the 360-degree camera widget remained stuck on the infotainment screen, obstructing navigation, hopefully a one-time issue.

These negatives don’t ruin the car, but they do hold it back.

Price Check: Where it Stands Among its Rivals

The Duster is priced from around ₹10.49–18.49 lakh (ex-showroom).

That puts it right in the middle of a very competitive space. Rivals like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos start slightly higher, around ₹10.7–11 lakh, and go well past ₹17–20 lakh depending on variants.

Upcoming Hybrid Variant

Renault is also planning a strong hybrid version, expected around the festive season.

This version will pair a 1.8-litre petrol engine with electric motors, producing around 160hp, along with better fuel efficiency and the ability to run in electric mode in city conditions.

The first batch for 2026 is already fully booked, even before prices were announced, showing strong interest in this version.

Verdict: Good at Basics, But Needs More

The new Renault Duster stays true to what it always was: tough, comfortable, and easy to live with. The Duster still makes sense if you want a simple, capable SUV. But to lead the segment again, it needed more polish and a bit more excitement. Overall, the Renault Duster is an excellent package considering the price.

Web Desk