The new Renault Duster is set to return to India in a new-generation form by 2025
The third-generation Renault Duster has been unveiled globally as part of French automaker Dacia’s budget-oriented brand. The all-new Duster is based on the CMF-B platform and comes with an updated design, interior, and various powertrain options, including mild-hybrid and strong hybrid configurations.
Renault Duster was phased out in India in early 2022 after a decade-long presence in the country. While we await the reentry of the Duster in India, let’s compare the new-gen SUV with the previous Renault Duster model that was last available in India.
Front
The new-generation Renault Duster boasts a sleeker and bolder front appearance compared to its predecessor. It features an all-new grille, slimmer headlights with Y-shaped LED DRLs, and a larger air dam. In contrast, the old Duster has a larger grille and broader headlights, with a less prominent air dam.
The new Duster also includes a thick skid plate around the air dam and integrated fog lamps, along with front bumper air vents for improved aerodynamic efficiency. In contrast, the old Duster had a separate housing for the fog lamps.
Side
The new Duster retains the iconic ‘Duster’ silhouette but with a sharper and larger appearance. It has thick side cladding, squared wheel arches, and new door handles. The new model also offers 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels, in contrast to the old Duster’s 16-inch alloy wheels.
Rear
The rear of the new-generation Duster features a revamped design with a hunched bootlid, Y-shaped LED tail lamps, a roof-integrated rear spoiler, and a big silver skid plate. In comparison, the rear design of the old Duster was more traditional with a flatter tailgate and lacked a rear spoiler.
Dashboard
The new Duster sports a completely new dashboard design with Y-shaped highlights and inserts around the cabin. It features a 10.1-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, whereas the old Duster had a 7-inch touchscreen system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support.
Centre Console
The new Duster’s center console layout includes a knob for drive mode selection, electronic parking brake, charging ports, and wireless phone charging tray, which were not available in the old Duster. The new model also houses various climate controls in the touchscreen infotainment system, while the old Duster had automatic climate control lower down.
Front Seats
Both the new and old Renault Duster models come with fabric seat upholstery, but with different headrest designs and upholstery colors.
Rear Seats
At the rear, both Dusters have 3 headrests, but the new Duster’s middle headrest is adjustable, and it adds a 3-point seatbelt and ISOFIX child seat anchorages instead of a fold-out rear armrest available in the old Duster.
Boot Space
The new-generation Duster offers a boot space of 472 liters, slightly less than the old Duster’s 475 liters.
Powertrains
The old Renault Duster offered two petrol engine options and a diesel engine, while the new European-spec Duster will have 3 powertrain options: a 130 PS, 1.2-litre petrol unit coupled with a 48V mild hybrid system, a strong-hybrid 140 PS 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine, and a combination of petrol and LPG. The details for the new India-spec Duster are yet to be announced.
Expected Launch & Price
The third-generation Renault Duster is anticipated to be launched in India by 2025, with an expected price from Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom). It will compete with models such as the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Citroen C3 Aircross, and Honda Elevate.