The highly loved Renault Duster has made its comeback to India after a hiatus of nearly 4 years since the French marque stopped selling the first-gen model in India in 2022. The third-gen model, which debuted today, will have prices announced in mid-March, and bookings have already commenced for a token amount of ₹21,000. When the Duster debuted in India in 2012, it marked the advent of one of the most popular segments in India, the midsize SUV and became a force to be reckoned with.
The third-gen Duster made its debut globally towards the end of 2023, and it has taken its own sweet time to come to India. Compared to the global-spec model, the India-spec model is quite different. It gets the same overall boxy silhouette with chunky cladding on the wheel arches for that macho look, new headlamps, new connected taillamps, and plastic cladding on the tailgate. Renault tells us that the new Duster, based on its Renault Group modular platform, which is90 per cent localised.
Inside, the new Duster has a spacious cabin with a large 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with in-built Google, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charger, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a six-speaker audio system, a wireless phone charger, ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, auto headlamps and wipers, dual-zone AC, powered tailgate and more. Renault is aiming for a 5-star crash test rating, and it also comes with 17 ADAS features.
Powering the third-gen Duster is a 1.3-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine with a decent 160 bhp and 28.55 kgm on offer, mated to a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It will also get a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox, as well as a 1.8-litre petrol engine with strong hybrid assist (with a 1.4 kWh battery). However, there was no mention of diesel powertrains.
While the new Duster doesn’t have a dedicated 4×4 system as of now, Renault claims it is still a proper SUV. It comes with 212 mm of ground clearance, which is just 8 mm lower than the segment-leading ground clearance of the Honda Elevate (220 mm). The new Duster also has 34.7 degrees of departure angle and 26.9 degrees approach angle.
The Duster, which started this segment back in 2012, is now facing serious competition from the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, Tata Sierra, Mahindra Thar Roxx and Honda Elevate. Renault is also offering a maximum warranty of 7 years or 1.50 lakh km with the Renault Forever programme.
