The new Renault Duster with hybrid engine has an edge over its rivals despite having no diesel engine while the styling also appeals with its butch looks, says Somnath Chatterjee.
After a record-breaking year, India's automobile industry is entering 2026 on a relatively strong footing, with sales growth expected in the 6-8 per cent range. The outlook is underpinned by policy support, including GST rationalisation, easing monetary conditions, and income tax relief, which together are likely to improve affordability and sustain consumer demand across vehicle segments.
The new Duster will go head-to-head with popular models like Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor, etc in the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment.
The Stepway will have raised ground clearance, body cladding to add that rugged look and roofrails too.
Elections and festival time in north India helped the Indian auto firm to pip its foreign competitors.
Car marker leader Maruti Suzuki India is looking at nearly doubling the number of models to 25, including entry into SUV and LCV segments, as it aims a target to sell 3 million cars annually.
It is ideal for someone looking to have the practicality of a diesel and the utility of an automatic.
The price is expected to be around Rs 10 lakh, at par with competition.
Renault proffers 2+2 years or 80,000 km warranty on the compact SUV.
Now, we have with us the Renault Captur which under the skin is a Duster but the company claims that the former is a more premium offering. So, is it? Time to find out.
Scores 0 on front seat protection and 2 stars for rear seat child occupant protection
India is among the top five countries, which contributes significantly to the overall sales of Renault Duster worldwide.
Stylish SUV Tivoli is all set to take on competition from Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster.
The AMT variant comes with a turbo charged diesel engine which produces 108.5bhp@4000 rpm and a peak torque of 245Nm@1750rpm
It lacks the finesse of its direct rival, the Hyundai Creta, but otherwise it is fun to drive and power is in abundance too
Both Ford Ecosport and Renault Duster were unveiled at the 2012 Auto Expo held in New Delhi in January.
Duster is expected to bear a 4x2 and 4x4 mechanism apart from the 1.6L, 16-valve petrol engine.
Better styling, safety and comfort features will make the new Duster a winner all the way.
After giving an extreme makeover to popular cars such as Toyota Fortuner and the Mahindra XUV500, DC Design is working on Renault Duster.
At the heart of the Duster 1.3 Turbo X-Tronic is a turbocharged engine paired to a 7-speed CVT, the same engine that also powers the Mercedes A-Class, CLA and GLA-Class entry-level models! Now if only Renault had put some thought into the all-new Duster's interiors and driver comfort as they did in the engine... Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com test-drives the old beast with a new heart.
Hyundai to launch its new SUV- Creta in second half of 2015 in India.
The SUV with swanky interiors can you yours for Rs 3.49 lakh, excluding the car price.
The Renault Duster AMT is a compact SUV that offers the best of both worlds - a fantastic ride and handling balance on one side and the ease of driving thanks to an automatic gearbox.
The rough and tough image of SUVs is now being presented in a more technologically upgraded form.
With the launch of Nissan's Terrano, the fight for supremacy in the compact SUV segment hots up.
The VW Taigun made its world premiere in Brazil, and is perhaps a Volkswagen Golf, in emerging markets.
Compact SUVs have caught fancy of Indian buyers as they have all features of a full-fledged SUV - higher ground clearance, spacious, and high seats.
The SUV got gorgeous and more muscular.
The hottest cars in the most popular segment.
Ruural markets contribute a significant chunk of SUV sales and there was a slowdown in demand from semi-urban and rural areas.
The Hyundai Creta is practical, spacious, comfortable and feature loaded, making it an ideal package that most buyers look out for in the SUV segment, finds out Indian motoring website MotorBeam.
The design of the rear doors and C-Pillar for example seem inspired by the Suzuki iv-4 concept crossover.
Global automobile majors are looking to leverage India's cost-competitive manufacturing practices and turn the country into an export hub for utility vehicles.
Who says the snarling sports utility vehicle is only for men? Three SUVs battle it out to prove they are worthy of women's attention.
The automatic variant of the SUV is priced at Rs 11.99 lakh
We can't wait to see Maruti Suzuki S-Cross and Hyundai ix25 hitting the roads.
The SUV leaves a good impression thanks to its athletic built.
Everyone has an eye over this segment which contains some of the most stylish cars in the country.
Maruti has chosen to call the S-Cross as a premium crossover, which is evident once you look at the hatchback-like profile of the vehicle.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances