Renault has unveiled a new Indian-built version of its popular Duster SUV, featuring different styling, upgraded cabin tech and a broader range of electrified powertrains compared to the model currently sold in Australia and Europe.
However, despite India being a right-hand drive market like Australia, Renault has confirmed the Chennai-built Duster is not destined for local showrooms any time soon.
The 5-seater Duster returned to Australia in July 2025 as a rival to compact SUVs such as the Suzuki Jimny and Subaru Crosstrek. Now, Renault is positioning the India-market model as part of its wider international growth push.
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Renault says the new Duster will arrive in Indian dealerships before April 2026, with exports to South Africa and the Middle East to follow. But Australian buyers shouldn’t expect this version to replace the European-built model.
Renault Australia sources Duster from Europe, specifically from the Mioveni factory in Romania, confirming there are currently no plans to switch supply.
Potential opened by India’s trade links
India already has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Australia, helping pave the way for Indian-built vehicles such as the Suzuki Jimny and an expanding Mahindra range.
By contrast, Australia does not yet have an FTA with Europe, although negotiations are ongoing.
Sharper styling tweaks for India
While both versions of the Duster share Renault’s CMF-B platform, the India-spec SUV receives unique exterior updates. Changes include revised front and rear bumper designs, giving it a slightly different stance compared to the Romanian-built model sold here.
Dimensionally, the two remain almost identical:
| Dimensions | Australian-specs | Indian-specs |
| Wheelbase | 2657mm | 2658mm |
| Length | 4345mm | 4343mm |
| Height | 1650mm | 1659mm |
Ground clearance is also notable. The Indian-built Duster offers 212mm, matching Australian 4×4 versions, though it launches only in 4×2 form. Australian 4×2 models sit lower at 174mm.
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Renault continues the Duster’s rugged, outdoors-focused image, with skid plates and protective cladding fitted across the range.
However, off-road geometry differs between markets. The Indian-spec Duster has a 25.7-degree approach angle and a 29.2-degree departure angle, compared to the Australian 4×4 model’s more aggressive 31-degree approach and 36-degree departure angles.
New powertrains for India
Unlike Australia’s relatively limited engine lineup, Indian buyers will have three powertrain options, including mild-hybrid and full-hybrid choices.
India-spec Renault Duster engines:
| Specification | Details | ||
| Engine | 1.0L Turbo Three-Cylinder turbo Mild-Hybrid Petrol | 1.4L Four-Cylinder Turbo Petrol | 1.8L Atkinson-Cycle Hybrid Petrol + 1.4kWh battery pack |
| Power Output | 74kW | 120kW | 80kW |
| Torque Output | 160Nm | 280Nm | 172Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual/dual-clutch automatic | Automatic |
Australian-market Renault Duster engines:
| Specification | Details | |
| Engine | 1.3L Turbo Petrol | 1.2L Mild-Hybrid Petrol |
| Power Output | 113kW | 96kW |
| Torque Output | 270Nm | 230Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic | 6-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
| Fuel Consumption | 6.5L/100km | 5.7L/100km |
| Tank Capacity | 50L | 55L |
Premium cabin overhaul
The biggest changes are inside, where the India-market Duster adopts a far more modern, upscale interior layout. The octagonal styling cues and bold ‘Duster’ branding seen in Australian versions are replaced with a cleaner, more premium design.
Interior features highlights include:
- Dual-screen setup with a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster for lower models and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster for higher models
- Standard 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Google-based infotainment system with Gemini AI functionality
- Connected services and a 360-degree camera with a dynamic 3D view
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Luxury features are also boosted, with:
- Dual-zone climate control
- Rear air vents
- Ventilated seats
- Panoramic sunroof
- Power tailgate
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Safety and driver assistance upgrades
Indian-market models also receive a more comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Traffic sign recognition
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane departure warning
Both the Indian and Australian versions also feature an ADAS personalisation shortcut button, allowing drivers to quickly adjust safety system settings.
The Australian Duster currently carries a three-star ANCAP safety rating, while the India-built version has not yet been tested by local authorities.
A key model for Renault’s India ambitions
The Duster plays a critical role in Renault’s expansion plans in India, one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets. Around 4.3 million new vehicles were sold in India in 2025, allowing it to overtake Japan as the world’s third-largest market behind China and the United States.
The B-segment SUV class accounts for roughly 14 per cent of India’s market, translating to about 602,000 vehicles annually, almost half the size of Australia’s entire new-car market.
The India-built Duster is part of Renault’s International Game Plan 2027, first announced in October 2023, with the company investing €3 billion (around $5.15billion) to launch 8 new models outside Europe by 2027.
Australia is unlikely to benefit soon
While the India-market Duster brings more technology, luxury and electrified options, Renault Australia has made it clear the European-sourced model will remain the one offered locally for now.
That means Australian buyers will miss out on the more advanced Chennai-built SUV, at least in the near future.
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