The new-generation Renault Duster has been launched in many parts of the world with multiple powertrain alternatives
The new-gen Renault Duster has finally been announced to be unveiled on Republic Day, i.e., 26th January 2026. You might already know that Duster is the SUV which led to the creation of the mid-size SUV segment in India back in 2012. In fact, it remained in production for around a decade. During this time, other carmakers entered this space but the French car marque didn’t upgrade the Duster enough to remain competitive. Hence, it was discontinued in 2022. Nevertheless, it is slated to make a comeback as the first product under Renault’s International Game Plan 2027.
New 2025 Renault Duster to Debut on Republic Day
As per the official press release, Renault will bring back the familiar Duster moniker in a whole new avatar. India already has over 2,00,000 Duster customers, which indicates that it has been a popular product back in the day. However, I feel the landscape today has changed dramatically in comparison to a few years ago. Hence, the new exterior styling will certainly help its case among the potential buyers. Going by the international model, the new Duster will get tri-arrow LED DRLs integrated inside the LED headlamps, a rugged bumper with fog lamps on either side and Renault lettering on the grille. The side section bears massive wheel arches, stylish alloy wheels and muscular fenders, while the tail end consists of a distinct roof-mounted spoiler, a shark fin antenna, a sturdy bumper and taillamps on the extreme edges of the bootlid.
Similarly, we can make some conclusions regarding the interior cabin of the new Duster based on the global model. I believe offering modern tech and amenities is the key for any car to survive in our market. We will most likely experience numerous new-age functionalities, including things like a chunky steering wheel with multimedia controls, a digital instrument cluster, a free-standing touchscreen infotainment display, tri-arrow-styled AC vents, a textured dashboard, physical buttons for HVAC, a rotary drive mode selector, USB charging, a spacious cabin, a hexagonal steering wheel, and much more. Taking care of the safety aspect, it could even possess ADAS for boosting the active safety prowess.
Expected Specs
Renault has not officially announced any details regarding the powertrain and transmission alternatives. Still, we can assume that it could carry the 1.3-litre HR13 turbo petrol engine, which is good for 156 hp of peak power. To make the entire proposition more accessible to a wider range of customers, it might even borrow the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol mill from the Kiger, albeit in a higher state of tune. Paired with these, we can expect manual and automatic transmission options. More details will emerge in the coming days.
Editor’s Note
Yatharth Chauhan, Managing Editor
Having witnessed the Duster’s journey right from its 2012 debut, I can confidently say that its return marks a crucial moment for Renault in India. The original Duster practically created the mid-size SUV segment here, but the market has evolved dramatically since then. For Renault to succeed this time, the new-gen Duster must deliver not just on rugged appeal, but also on tech, safety, and overall sophistication – areas where today’s Indian SUV buyers refuse to compromise. If Renault gets the pricing and features right, this could well be its big comeback story.
Also Read: 2025 Renault Duster Seen Testing in India with ADAS
