Old Duster vs New Duster 2026: The Duster Is Truly Back. Renault Has Finally Unveiled the All-New Duster, Marking Its Strong Return to the Indian Market. After Discontinuing the Duster in Early 2022, Renault had been absent from the mid-size SUV segment. Now, with the 2026 Renault Duster, the company is re-entering the most fiercely competitive segment. The new Duster isn’t just a comeback in name—it has been completely transformed in terms of design, engine options, and features.
Old vs New Duster: How Much Has the Exterior Changed?
The difference between the old and new Duster is clearly visible in terms of design. The older Duster had a more rounded and simple look, whereas the 2026 Duster appears sharper, wider, and more muscular. Its stance is now much stronger, giving it a true SUV-like presence at first glance.
Larger Wheels and a More Modern Look
The new Duster also comes with larger wheels. While the older Duster was offered with 16-inch alloy wheels, the new model gets 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels. The design hasn’t been completely overhauled, but it has been made more modern and fresher than before.
A Major Difference in the Rear Design as Well
The rear of the old Duster was quite simple, featuring a flat tailgate and basic taillamps. The new Duster gets a more pronounced and sculpted boot lid. At the rear, it now features Y-shaped LED taillamps, a roof-integrated spoiler, and a large silver skid plate. Additionally, the bold ‘Duster’ badging on both the front and the boot lid is now more prominent and clearly visible.
Major Update in Platform and Engine
The old Duster was built on an older platform, whereas the 2026 model is based on Renault Group’s new and stronger CMF-B architecture. This is expected to improve both the car’s sturdiness and driving experience.
Old vs New Duster: Engine Options
In its final phase in India, the old Duster came with two petrol engine options. The 1.5-litre petrol engine produced 106 PS of power, while the 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine generated 156 PS of power.
New Duster’s New Powertrains
Renault has completely revamped the engine lineup for the 2026 Duster. It comes with a 1.3-litre Turbo TCe 160 engine producing 163 PS of power and 280 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed wet-clutch DCT gearbox. Additionally, there is a 1.0-litre Turbo TCe 100 engine offering 100 PS and 160 Nm of torque, coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Entry of Hybrid Technology
The new Duster also offers a 1.8-litre strong hybrid engine option, paired with a 1.4 kWh battery pack. According to the company, this system can handle up to 80% of city driving in electric-only mode.
Old vs New Duster: Difference in the Interior
The old Duster’s cabin was functional, but over time it started to feel quite outdated. The dashboard was simple, the infotainment screen was small, and the instrument cluster was quite basic.
Modern and Premium Cabin of the New Duster
The 2026 Duster’s interior has been completely redesigned. Its dashboard now looks wider, layered, and more modern. Thanks to a strong horizontal design, the cabin feels more spacious and delivers a true SUV-like experience.
Digital Screen and New Steering Wheel
The new Duster comes with a large tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system, which is sharper than before. The instrument cluster is now fully digital, displaying navigation, vehicle information, and driving modes. The steering wheel is also new and sportier, featuring a flat-bottom design.
Comfort, Safety, and Advanced Features
While the old Duster lacked advanced safety features, the new Duster comes with up to 17 India-specific ADAS features. Additionally, it offers a 360-degree camera, electric tailgate, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and powered front seats with ventilation.
Overall, the 2026 Renault Duster is not just an update of the old model—it is a completely new SUV. In terms of design, engine, technology, and features, the new Duster clearly shows that Renault aims to make a strong comeback in the Indian mid-size SUV market.
