Renault Duster was among the first products that fuelled the revolution in the mid-size SUV segment in India which now has all the heavyweights of the industry.
The next-gen Renault Duster has been spotted testing with heavy camouflage. Duster was the product that was the reason for the inception of the mid-size SUV segment in our country back in 2013. In fact, the earlier models used to come with AWD setup making it extremely desirable. It was among the most affordable AWD models on the market at the time because of which people flocked to buy it. However, with the passage of time, other carmakers entered this segment and Duster was forgotten. It never received the second-gen model in India. But we might see the third-gen model in 2025.
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Next-Gen Renault Duster Testing
The spy images we have seen so far show a rather large SUV wrapped in a camouflaged film barely giving us any sneak peeks. But the overall silhouette is evidently inspired by the Dacia Bigster Concept that was showcased back in 2021. In fact, the front grille and headlight area are slightly exposed. They resemble the front fascia of the Bigster concept SUV with Y-shaped LED DRLs, a sleek grille with a butch and upright stance due to the muscular bonnet.
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The bumper area looks quite rugged too with a hint of fog lamp contours on the edges. Apart from that, the roof rails are quite pronounced as well accentuating the SUV traits of the Duster. The images also show that the door handle for the second row has been mounted on the C-pillar, a trend that has gained popularity in recent times. Furthermore, the wheel arches are slightly squared and there is a roof-mounted rear spoiler too.
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The rear windshield looks quite raked and the taillamps bear the wrap-around pattern. There is also a hint of a rugged skid plate underneath the rear bumper and the black alloy wheels look quite sporty. The side pillars look blacked out, at least the B-pillar. It will be based on the heavily localised CMF-B architecture that will also spawn a Nissan counterpart. There could also be a 7-seat variant in addition to the regular 5-seater and we are likely to see it on our roads sometime in 2025. It would rival the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and MG Astor.
What We Think
The original Renault Duster, which came to our market way back in 2013, not just helped its carmaker consolidate its position in the market, but even set the tone for compact SUVs. With time, though, the competition was quick to catch up and the Duster’s first mover’s advantage frizzled out soon after the first-gen Hyundai Creta came into picture. Today, this segment is bustling with many offerings. However, the re-entry of the Renault Duster in an all-new avatar could not just help its carmaker but even give a world-class option to the buyers.