Upcoming 2026 Renault Duster Competition: Who’s Under Threat?

Renault has finally announced that the third-gen Duster will launch in India on January 26, 2026. The Duster was the first compact SUV in India, kickstarting the segment. The Duster has always been known for being rugged, a true SUV in a sea of crossovers, and the current one is expected to be the same. So when the Duster comes to the market two months from now, who is going to compete with it? Let’s have a look at the segment rivals:

Hyundai Creta

Most people think that the Creta was the car that started the compact SUV segment, but it is definitely the one which is now become the segment leader. It’s also in the top 5 best-selling car list regularly. 

Currently in its second generation, the Creta comes with three engine options – a 1.5-litre petrol, a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel and four transmission options: a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque converter automatic, a CVT, and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. 

It is loaded to the brim with features, like dual 10.25-inch screens, wireless phone charger, ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof and ADAS. 

Upcoming Next-gen Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos came to the market in 2019 and is now ready to get its second generation. The new model is expected to make its global debut later this year and will likely go on sale in the country in the first quarter of 2026. 

It is expected to retain the same powertrain options as before, and the features list isn’t expected to change much either. Because it is the second-gen model, it’ll have different design elements compared to the current model. It will also come with a lot of safety features like ADAS, six airbags, stability control and more. 

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

The latest entrant in the segment is Maruti Suzuki’s second compact SUV, the Victoris. Sold through its Arena dealerships, the Victoris comes with many firsts for Maruti Suzuki, like ADAS, an underbody CNG tank and a 10.25-inch virtual cluster. The Victoris comes with two engine options – a 1.5-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre petrol-hybrid unit. It also gets a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed automatic and an e-CVT. It also has a 5-star crash test rating from Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP. 

The features list includes the aforementioned virtual cluster and ADAS, along with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting, powered tailgate with gesture control, an 8-speaker audio system from Infinity with Dolby Atmos support and more. 

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder/Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

You must be wondering there’s a glitch since we’ve combined the Hyryder and Grand Vitara, but this was a conscious decision since, apart from the design, both the SUVs are identical. Both get the same powertrain options as the Victoris. However, unlike the Victoris, neither comes with ADAS, an underbody CNG tank and a 10.25-inch virtual cluster.

The Hyryder and Grand Vitara also share the features they offer and come with goodies like a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, a heads-up display, connected car tech and a 7-inch virtual cluster, among others. 

MG Astor

One of the most forgotten cars in the segment is the MG Astor, the brand’s only compact SUV. It is decently loaded as it comes with features like a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch virtual cluster, panoramic sunroof and ADAS, but it hasn’t been able to crack the market like MG would have liked. 

While earlier buyers had an option of getting a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine, the Astor is now available only with a 1.5-litre petrol engine.

Citroen Aircross

Another quite often forgotten car in the segment is the Citroen Aircross. It is also the only model here to get a 7-seater option, where everyone else is only a 5-seater. With the latest update, the Aircross now also comes with Citroen’s in-car AI called Cara, part of the Aircross X line-up. 

The Aircross also has one of the smallest engines on offer – a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol. While the former is only available with a 5-speed manual, the latter gets either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. The Aircross recently got a 5-star crash test rating from Bharat NCAP. 

The features on the Aircorss are quite decent. It comes with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 7-inch virtual cluster, wireless smartphone connectivity, a wireless phone charger and more. 

Skoda Kushaq/Volkswagen Taigun

The Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun were the first models from Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL) to use the group’s MQB-A0-IN platform, catered specifically for the Indian market. Both SUVs come with the option of either a 1-litre turbo-petrol or a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, with 6-speed manual, a 6-speed automatic or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission options. 

The Kushaq and Taigun were the first cars to get a 5-star crash test rating from Global NCAP under its new stringent testing protocols. Apart from the design, there’s no difference between the two cars.

The features on the two Skoda-VW SUVs include a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, an 8-inch virtual cluster, a single-pane sunroof, ventilated seats, a reverse camera, and more. 

Upcoming 2025 Tata Sierra

Now let’s move on to cars that are yet to come to the market but will for sure make it difficult for the Duster. The Tata Sierra is one of the most highly anticipated models that customers are waiting for. The Sierra will be the other compact SUV in Tata Motors’ portfolio, after the Curvv. It is likely to get a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, a 1.5-litre diesel engine, as well as an electric powertrain. 

It is expected to be loaded with features such as a triple screen layout, a panoramic sunroof, powered and ventilated front seats, a premium sound system, a 360-degree camera and more. Tata has officially revealed the first look of the Sierra, which is slated to launch on 25th November, 2025.

Upcoming Nissan Tekton

The Nissan Tekton will be to the new Duster what the Terrano was to the old Duster. The new Tekton will be a more premium offering compared to the Duster, with less rugged-looking materials and more premium, soft-touch materials. While information about features and powertrains remains under wraps, the Tekton is likely to get the same features and engine options as the Duster. 

ZigSays…

The Duster has its work cut out when it is unveiled in January. Not just the number of competitors but also the kind of features each and every one has to offer. Renault will need to have something to set itself apart, be it a hybrid powertrain, a proper four-wheel drive system or some crazy tech feature that none of the above have, to be actually successful in the market. 

Will you get the Duster or one of its competitors? Let us know in the comments.