2026 Renault Duster Short Review: What We Liked & What Needs To Improve

Make or break - it’s what individual cars end up doing for/to the brands that produce them ever so often in India. The Renault Duster doesn’t just bring back a popular nameplate; it’s a brand that could decide how serious Renault’s future in India looks.

Renault Duster Looks

 The Duster looks uniquely purposeful. The reason I say that is how rugged it looks, while every other car in the segment, irrespective of how much cladding they employ, looks decidedly more urban. Chunky faux skid plates, thick body cladding, a giant badge that reads ‘Duster’ in the grille, functional roof rails (50kg payload) and 212mm of unladen ground clearance pump up the SUV factor instantly. The bonnet also seems to have had a design day of its own, lending a heap of aggression to the look. 

The headlights are fashioned after an 80-Series Land Cruiser, while the connected LED tail lights are a distinct changeover vs the old Duster. Prudent to note that the silhouette of the car hasn’t changed drastically, so the design in itself yells Duster louder than any badge ever could.

Renault Duster Space & Quality

 Let’s drop a quick verdict here first. The Duster is not the most backseat-focused car in the segment. While cabin space is decent, it’s not remarkable, especially when compared to new entrants like the Sierra and Seltos, though closer to the Creta or Kushaq. A six-footer can just about fit behind his/her own driving position, and the cabin width makes it cramped for 3 rear seat users. 

While seat support is good, I do wish the rear backrest could be set to a more reclined angle. As for front seat space, it’s good even for exceptionally tall users. Someone as tall as 6.5ft can make good use of the seat's travel range and not have their knees hitting the dashboard on either front seat. However, width is at a premium. It’s a similar story as the Thar Roxx, i.e. you have good knee and legroom here, but the position feels a touch too cosy if not cramped, especially if you have a heavier build or are tall (door grab handle and centre console brush your legs). The footwell is roomy enough in the automatic, but some may want more space next to the clutch pedal in the manual to rest their foot.

The driving position itself is the most cockpit-like as the dashboard, screens and core controls are all angled towards the driver. You also feel tucked into the cabin, making the Duster’s driver’s seat a very unique place to be vs its rivals.

Quality is decent but sets no benchmarks. Renault has used some leatherette padding to premiumise the cabin, along with some carbon-fibre look and aluminium look trim. But some of the plastics, like those of the AC panel or sliding cupholder cover, feel low-grade and functional at best.

Renault Duster Tech 

This Duster is different in one core regard - its feature list. Not only does it get a panoramic sunroof, one-touch up/down power windows all around and a powered tailgate, but you also get a new Google integrated infotainment interface. The touchscreen supports Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, but has Google Maps natively integrated and runs it in the digital cluster as well. With the Google Play Store accessible, major streaming, gaming and music apps are one download away. The interface feels quite intuitive to use with quick touch response, though audiophiles may want to upgrade the music system

In quirky Renault style, the touchscreen gets physical buttons up top for volume and screen mode (off, on, clean mode) control, while the steering media control is a separate stalk which includes a jog dial. 

Other Features

Renault Duster Boot

 At 700 litres measured up to the boot and 518 litres measured up to the parcel tray, the Duster’s boot is perhaps only second to the Sierra in terms of usability. The great depth and volume let you get in a full suitcase set with ease. Even the parcel tray is split at the outer edge, so it doesn’t budge every time you open the boot.

Importantly, when the Duster hybrid does arrive, the battery pack will still leave you with a usable boot, unlike in the Grand Vitara/Hyryder hybrid, which gets severely compromised.

Renault Duster Drive & Ride

This remains the Duster’s highlight. The ride-and-handling package is punishment-friendly, comfortable, and precise. My drive in Dehradun took me through several damaged sections and smooth highways in equal measure, and the experience in the cabin was consistent. Level changes, ruts and damaged patches don’t make the Duster feel nervous at all. 

Notably, it handles brilliantly too, letting you push very hard before the tyres show any signs of protest. The mechanical grip is endless, and the Duster encourages you to be confident in its capabilities.

As for the engine, I only drove the 1.3-turbo. The engine performance or refinement is not on par with the turbo petrols of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, VW Taigun or Skoda Kushaq. That being said, performance on tap is plenty for most driving conditions. We managed to push the car in a variety of conditions and didn’t find the need for more punch. Some notes:  

• There is turbo-lag below 2,100-2,200rpm, so responsiveness at very low speeds is slow initially and working the gearbox between 1st and 2nd gear is frequent in the ghats or at very slow city speeds.

• The clutch’s bite point is tricky to figure out. Many at the drive stalled the car multiple times, and the car also has an auto-start feature, i.e. even if you stall it, just pressing the clutch restarts the engine.

• The DCT is the better transmission, as it delivers a smoother, more convenient, and more sophisticated experience. It also masks the engine’s turbo-lag better.

• Gear changes are smooth, and it stays in the right gear most of the time. 

• While it does get paddle-shifters, the shift action lacks tactility, and the response times to manual inputs could be quicker. The transmission also won’t let you get too aggressive with your downshifts.

Renault Duster Safety

The features list includes 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, highline TPMS and a very calibrated ESP, but a very poor quality 360-degree camera. The Duster also gets front and rear parking sensors and ADAS, including lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection and auto emergency braking.

To Summarise

Coming back with a name that has legacy is a goldmine for marketing, but a minefield for engineering and product development. Renault could’ve made the Duster a tech-loaded lounge on wheels because it’s a formula that works, but then it’d be a need for which we really don’t need a Duster. There are enough cars that do that brilliantly already.

What the Duster gets bang on is the fundamentals of drive performance and handling. And while those variables really only matter to the driver, the ride quality is something everyone in the car will appreciate. And to make everyone happier, the tech and safety package is thorough without being gimmicky, though if you want the most backseat-focused option, this would rank behind the Sierra, Seltos, Creta or Kushaq for me. 

But as it stands, the Duster is back in a meaningful way with good pricing and mid-range models that are high on value, too. It’s a car that’s not just one in a long list to consider, but gives you a new list of things to consider before buying a car.

What do you think of the new Duster? Let us know in the comments below!