Renault has launched the third-generation Duster in India at Rs 10.49 lakh, ex-showroom. It comes in five different trims- Authentic, Evolution, Techno, Techno+ and Iconic. There is also a limited-run Iconic Launch edition on sale, limited to 2026 alone. Interestingly, even the base variant- Authentic- comes well-packaged.
Exterior Styling
Even the base-spec Authentic trims looks modern and bold. It gets eco LED headlamps, which look different from the full LED units offered on the higher variants. It rides on 17-inch black-finished steel wheels. Other design highlights include LED tail lamps, LED DRLs, rear spoiler with a LED high-mounted stop lamp, blacked-out pillars, front and rear skid plates and more.
The outside rearview mirrors (ORVMs) get integrated LED indicators and come finished in the roof colour. The front grille has ‘DUSTER’ written on it. Even the base variant has hidden rear door handles. Overall, the base-spec Duster looks muscular and has squared wheel arches and an upright profile.
However, being the entry-level trim, it misses out on several styling elements. There are no roof rails, shark fin antenna or LED fog lamps. At the rear, a connected LED light bar and rear wiper are also absent.
Some trims of the new Duster offer up to 10 colour options. The base variant, however, keeps its palette limited to just three colours- Moonlight Silver, Pearl White and Stealth Black.
Interior: Functional Yet Minimalist
Step inside, and the base Duster keeps things simple but practical. It gets a 7-inch TFT digital instrument cluster, manual air conditioning with rear AC vents, illuminated glove box, cup holders and LED cabin lighting, tilt & telescopic adjustments for the electric power steering, manual day/night mirror, automatic headlamps and four power windows.
The interior follows an all-black theme with silver accents and comes with fabric seats. The driver’s seat gets manual adjustment and all seats feature adjustable headrests. The rear seats has a 60:40 split folding design. The cabin notably misses out on an infotainment system. You’ll see a clean, textured plastic panel on the dashboard where the infotainment unit would be on higher trims.
Features like the panoramic sunroof, leatherette upholstery, seat ventilation are obviously reserved for higher trims. The variant also skimps on the use of soft-touch materials inside.
Safety: Well-Covered For A Base Variant
Renault hasn’t skimped in packaging the base-spec Dust with safety features. The company knows just how sensitive the average Indian buyer is towards the safety levels and crashworthiness of the vehicle.
The Authentic trim comes with six airbags, ESC, traction control, hill start assist, ISOFIX mounts, corner stability control, rear parking sensors and TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system). It also gets 3-point seat belts for all seats.
Features like 360-degree camera, rain-sensing wipers and Level 2 ADAS are only available in higher variants.
Specifications
Two engine options are available on the new Duster at launch- 1.3L turbocharged four cylinder petrol and 1.0L turbocharged petrol. Just the latter is available on the Authentic trim. It makes 98hp and 180Nm and comes paired with a six-speed manual transmission. No automatic gearbox is offered. The more powerful 1.3L turbo-petrol engine is reserved for higher trims.
Who Should Buy The Base-Spec Duster?
The base-spec ‘Authentic’ trim is clearly aimed at people who are extremely budget-capped. At Rs 10.49 lakh, ex-showroom, it makes for a good entry point into the Duster family. Higher variants leave a noticeable gap in terms of technology and equipment. The base variant, however, gives the bold design, space and road presence of the third-generation Duster, at a competitive price.
It covers all the essentials, especially on safety and core functionality grounds. However, to fully experience what the new Duster has to offer in terms of features and technology, one should opt higher trims.
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