Renault Duster Joins These SUVs Competing For The Crown! Rivals Explained…

The iconic Duster has made a smashing comeback, and Renault has ensured that it doesn’t fall back on anything. But the segment it once created is now perhaps the most crowded in the entire market, with almost every mass-market carmaker vying for some action. So let’s see what the rivals that the latest iteration of this SUV will go up against:

Hyundai Creta

Price: Rs 10.79 lakh to 20.20 lakh(ex-showroom)

The chart-topping Hyundai Creta has been a segment favourite for the longest, and it’s no surprise why. With a modern design, boatloads of features and a wide range of powertrains, it promises versatility like few others. 

Under the hood, the Creta gets a choice of 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, turbo-petrol and diesel engines, with each being offered with manual and automatic gearbox options. 

Feature highlights of the Creta include a panoramic sunroof, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, an 8-way power-adjustable driver seat and drive modes. Its safety features include 6 airbags, a Level 2 ADAS suite, a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, an electronic parking brake with auto hold and electronic stability control.

Tata Sierra

Price: Rs 11.49 lakh to 21.29 lakh (ex-showroom)

Tata’s Sierra is the new kid on the block and has received tremendous response owing to its retro-inspired styling, wide range of powertrains, and a sophisticated feel not seen in other Tatas till now. Another legendary nameplate, the Sierra ushers in a new era for the carmaker with a new ARGOS platform as well.

The Sierra gets powered by 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, turbo-petrol and diesel engines. The former and latter are offered with both manual and automatic gearbox options, while the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol comes mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission only.

In terms of features, the Sierra comes with a three-screen layout consisting of a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch passenger entertainment display and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. It also gets a panoramic sunroof, 12-speaker JBL Black sound system, ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, multi-colour ambient lighting and a 6-way powered driver seat. 

Its safety suite includes Level 2 ADAS, 7 airbags, electronic stability control, electronic parking brake with auto hold, hill hold assist, 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors.

Kia Seltos

Price: Rs 10.99 lakh to Rs 19.99 lakh (ex-showroom)

Kia’s debut product for India, the Seltos, has turned out to be a popular option in the compact SUV space, and the carmaker recently launched the second-generation of this SUV with a new design, fresh interiors and a longer feature list. The Seltos is known to offer a high-quality feel with tons of technology for this segment. 

The new generation Seltos carries over the previous car’s powertrain options, which include 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, turbo-petrol and diesel engine options. Its transmission choices include manual, iMT, CVT, DCT and a torque converter automatic for the diesel as well.

Equipment-wise, the Seltos is loaded with features such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, an 8-speaker BOSE sound system, a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and dual-zone climate control.

It also gets safety features such as 6 airbags, electronic stability control, a Level 2 ADAS suite, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, hill hold assist, 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors. 

Skoda Kushaq Facelift

Expected Price: Rs 11 lakh to Rs 19 lakh (ex-showroom)

Next on the list is the recently-unveiled Skoda Kushaq Facelift. Traditionally, an enthusiast choice in the segment, the Kushaq is known for its powerful engines, fun-to-drive nature and mature styling. 

The Kushaq gets powered by 1-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine options. The former is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission or a new 8-speed AT, while the latter is only available with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

With this facelift, Skoda has also given it a feature upgrade, and it now gets equipment like a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 6-way powered and ventilated front seats, rear massaging seats, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, rain-sensing wipers and auto headlamps. Safety is taken care of by 6 airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors and electronic stability control.

Maruti Grand Vitara/Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Price (Grand Vitara): Rs 10.77 lakh to Rs 19.72 lakh (ex-showroom)

Price (Urban Cruiser Hyryder): Rs 10.95 lakh to Rs 19.76 lakh (ex-showroom)

Presenting themselves as the no-nonsense options in this segment are the Maruti Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, which have been born out of the Maruti Suzuki-Toyota alliance and are based on the same underpinnings. 

Both cars get an option of a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol or a 1.5-litre NA petrol strong-hybrid engine options. In the former, it is a 5-speed manual or 6-speed AT which drives the wheels, while the hybrid gets an eCVT transmission. Notably, they are also some of the few options in this segment to offer an all-wheel drive layout (with the 1.5 NA Petrol).

The Grand Vitara and Urban Cruiser Hyryder get features such as a panoramic sunroof, 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, ventilated front seats, heads-up display, wireless chargers, ambient lighting, 7-inch digital instrument cluster, 8-way powered driver seat and an air purifier. 

Safety is taken care of by 6 airbags, electronic stability control, 360-degree camera, hill hold assist and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Maruti Victoris

Price: Rs 10.50 lakh to Rs 19.99 lakh (ex-showroom)

Maruti has a second player in this segment, in the form of the Victoris, which, despite being based on the same platform as the Grand Vitara, takes the premium quotient up a notch to give a tougher fight to upmarket rivals.

Under the hood, just like the Grand Vitara, it gets powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol or 1.5-litre petrol strong-hybrid powertrain. It also gets an option of manual and automatic gearbox options for the NA Petrol, with the strong-hybrid driving its wheels via an eCVT gearbox. It is the third car in this segment to also get optional all-wheel drive.

Feature-wise, the Victoris gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a wireless charger, ambient lighting, an 8-way powered driver seat and a powered tailgate. Its safety features include Level 2 ADAS, 6 airbags, electronic stability control, hill hold assist, 360 degree camera and front and rear parking sensors.

Honda Elevate

Price: Rs 11.60 lakh to Rs 16.67 lakh (ex-showroom)

Next up is the Honda Elevate, which gets a spacious and roomy interior along with a smooth and refined engine, and the added peace of mind that comes with its maker. The Elevate gets powered by a single 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is mated to either a 6-speed or CVT transmission. 

In terms of features, it gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a single-pane sunroof, wireless charger, automatic climate control, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, keyless entry, 8-speaker sound system and rear AC vents.

Safety-wise, it gets 6 airbags, a Level 2 ADAS suite, electronic stability control, hill hold assist and a reverse camera.

MG Astor

Price: Rs 9.79 lakh to Rs 15.30 lakh (ex-showroom)

MG Motor’s Astor might have started to feel a bit old, but it still packs in a punch with its high-quality interior, stylish design and value-for-money pricing. The Astor gets powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is mated to a 6-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission options.

Feature highlights of the Astor include a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 6-way power-adjustable driver seat, a panoramic sunroof, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, customisable steering modes, rain-sensing wipers and auto-dimming IRVM. The Astor also gets a Level 2 ADAS suite, electronic stability control, hill hold assist, 360-degree camera and all-wheel disc brakes for the safety of its occupants.

Citroen Aircross

Price: Rs 8.29 lakh to Rs 13.69 lakh (ex-showroom)

Citroen’s Aircross offers something unique that no other SUV in this segment does, which is a 7-seater layout, making it a prime candidate for family buyers. Besides this, it is also known for its impeccable ride quality, a powerful turbo engine and solid build quality as well. 

Under the hood, the Aircross is powered by a choice of 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol and turbo-petrol engine options. The former can be had with a 5-speed manual transmission, while the latter gets an option of a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearbox. 

Citroen recently updated the Aircross’ feature-list which now includes equipment like a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, ventilated front seats, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a wireless charger, a 6-speaker sound system, an auto-dimming IRVM and automatic climate control. Safety features on the Aircross include 6 airbags, electronic stability control, rear view camera, hill hold assist and reverse parking sensors.

BONUS

Nissan Tekton

Expected Price: Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom)

A formidable rival for the new Duster will come in the form of its own sibling, the Nissan Tekton, which is scheduled to be launched later this year. Likely to carry the same powertrain options, including a 1-litre turbo-petrol, 1.3-litre mild-hybrid turbo-petrol and a 1.8-litre strong-hybrid engine, it’ll cater to a wide range of buyers. 

While other details remain unconfirmed, it will likely be offered with features such as a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with Google OS, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, wireless charger, powered tailgate and dual-zone climate control. Safety-wise, it is expected to get Level 2 ADAS, 6 airbags, electronic stability control, hill hold assist, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors.

2026 Volkswagen Taigun Facelift

Expected Price: Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom)

Another competitor that the Duster should gear up for is the facelifted Volkswagen Taigun, which could make its way to India by March this year. Expect engine options to remain the same as the current version, albeit just like the new Kushaq, it could see a new 8-speed AT replacing the current 6-speed unit on the 1-litre turbo-petrol motor.

*Image of current Taigun used for representation

Besides this, it could feature equipment such as an updated 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, wireless charger, 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with AI assistant, 6-way powered and ventilated front seats and ambient lighting.

Its safety features are expected to include 6 airbags, electronic stability control, hill hold assist, 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors and all-wheel disc brakes.

ZigSays…

The new Duster has its work cut out for it with an extensive and fierce set of rivals battling it out in the compact SUV segment. That said, Renault has taken note of this and gone all out with its iconic nameplate, but we will only know for sure if the Duster will be able to just survive or thrive when prices are out next month. Till then, stay tuned to ZigWheels for all the latest updates.

Would you pick the new Duster over these established rivals? Let us know in the comments below!